We’ve all had that horrible moment when you flush the toilet and, instead of everything disappearing, the water starts rising.
You stand there watching it creep towards the rim, silently begging it to stop.
And naturally, that’s when you remember you’ve got guests arriving in 20 minutes.
A blocked toilet is never convenient, especially when you’ve only got one bathroom in the house.
The good news is that some toilet blockages are fairly straightforward to clear. Others, however, can be a warning sign that something isn’t quite right further down your plumbing.
If you’re searching for a blocked toilet plumber Perth homeowners can rely on, GA PERRY can help investigate the problem and get things moving again.
Before you start attacking the toilet with a plunger or searching YouTube for emergency plumbing tricks, here’s what you should know.
Need professional help? Contact our blocked toilet plumbers in Perth for assistance.
First Things First. Stop Flushing!
We know it’s tempting to give the toilet another flush to see if the blockage clears.
Please don’t.
If the water isn’t draining properly, another flush could send everything over the edge. And cleaning sewage off the bathroom floor probably wasn’t on your list of things to do today.
If the water level is already high, leave it alone and give it time to settle.
You can also turn off the water supply using the isolation valve behind or beside the toilet, provided you can identify and access it safely.
Whatever you do, don’t keep pressing the flush button and hoping for a miracle.
Flushing harder isn’t a plumbing strategy.
Why Is My Toilet Blocked?
Most blocked toilets come down to something getting stuck where it shouldn’t.
Toilets are designed to handle human waste, water and toilet paper. Unfortunately, plenty of other things find their way into the bowl.
Too Much Toilet Paper
Some people use toilet paper like they’re wrapping a Christmas present.
While toilet paper is designed to break down in water, using excessive amounts can cause a blockage, particularly if there’s already a restriction in the pipe.
If you’ve got an older toilet or existing drainage problems, it might not take much to cause trouble.
Wet Wipes
Ah yes, the infamous “flushable” wipe.
Despite what the packaging might suggest, many wipes don’t break down the way toilet paper does.
They can get caught in the pipes, collect other waste and eventually create a blockage.
And just because the wipe disappeared when you flushed doesn’t mean it’s made it all the way through the sewer.
It could still be sitting somewhere down the line, waiting to cause problems.
Foreign Objects
If you’ve got young children, there’s always the possibility that something unexpected has been flushed.
Toy cars, plastic dinosaurs and other household objects have all been known to take an unfortunate trip down the toilet.
Sanitary products, cotton buds and nappies can also cause serious blockages.
If you suspect something solid has been flushed, don’t try to force it further down the pipe. You could make the problem harder to fix.
Tree Roots in Sewer Pipes
Sometimes the problem has nothing to do with what you’ve flushed.
Tree roots can find their way into damaged underground sewer pipes through cracks or joints.
Once they’re inside, they can catch toilet paper and waste, gradually restricting the flow of water.
This can be particularly troublesome in older properties where the underground pipework has deteriorated.
If your toilet keeps blocking, tree roots are one possibility worth investigating.
Damaged or Collapsed Pipes
Underground drainage pipes don’t last forever.
Over time, they can crack, shift, deteriorate or become damaged by ground movement and other factors.
When that happens, waste can collect around the damaged section and cause recurring blockages.
You might clear the toilet today, only to find yourself dealing with exactly the same problem a few weeks later.
And nobody wants a standing appointment with their toilet plunger.
How to Unblock a Toilet Without Making Things Worse
If the blockage seems minor and there’s no sewage overflowing, you might be able to clear it yourself.
Before you start, put on some gloves and consider eye protection. Toilet water isn’t something you want splashing around the bathroom.
Give the Water Time to Settle
If the bowl is almost full, don’t add more water.
Wait for the level to drop before attempting anything.
If the toilet is overflowing or wastewater is backing up through other drains, stop using the affected plumbing fixtures and call a plumber.
Try a Proper Toilet Plunger
A toilet plunger can sometimes clear a simple blockage.
Make sure you’re using one designed for toilets, preferably with a flange that fits into the outlet.
Position it over the opening and use steady, controlled movements to create pressure and suction.
The idea is to move the blockage through the pipe, not decorate the bathroom floor with toilet water.
If the water starts draining normally, you may have solved the problem.
Just don’t celebrate by flushing half a roll of toilet paper.
Know When to Stop
If you’ve been plunging away and nothing’s happening, don’t keep attacking the toilet like it owes you money.
A stubborn blockage might be further down the drainage system, or something solid could be stuck in the pipe.
Trying to force it through could make matters worse.
At this point, it’s worth calling GA PERRY to have the blockage investigated.
Our blocked toilet plumbing service in Perth can help identify what’s causing the problem.
What Should You Never Do With a Blocked Toilet?
There are plenty of DIY plumbing tricks floating around online, but some can leave you with a much bigger problem.
Don’t keep flushing. If the water isn’t draining, repeatedly flushing can cause the toilet to overflow.
Don’t pour boiling water into the bowl. Sudden temperature changes can potentially crack the porcelain. A blocked toilet is annoying enough without having to replace the whole thing.
Don’t mix drain-cleaning chemicals. Some products can react dangerously when combined. They can also leave hazardous chemicals sitting in the toilet for whoever has to clear the blockage.
If you’ve already used a chemical cleaner, make sure you tell your plumber.
And finally, don’t go poking around with coat hangers, metal rods or whatever else you can find in the garage.
You could scratch the toilet, damage the pipework or push the obstruction further down.
There’s a reason plumbers carry specialised equipment rather than a collection of old coat hangers.
Why Does My Toilet Keep Blocking?
If your toilet blocks once, it might simply be a bit too much toilet paper.
But if you’re reaching for the plunger every couple of weeks, there’s probably something else going on.
Pay attention to what happens elsewhere in the house when you flush.
Does the shower drain start gurgling? Does the water in the toilet bowl take ages to disappear? Perhaps you’ve noticed a nasty sewage smell outside, or water coming up through the floor waste.
These are all things worth mentioning when you call a plumber.
If several drains are playing up at once, the blockage could be further down the sewer line rather than inside the toilet itself.
Tree roots, damaged pipes and partial obstructions can all cause recurring problems.
You might be able to clear enough of the blockage to get the toilet working again, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying problem has disappeared.
There’s no point clearing the same blockage every fortnight if the pipe itself needs attention.
GA PERRY provides plumbing services across Perth and can investigate what’s causing your toilet to block repeatedly.
When Should You Call a Blocked Toilet Plumber in Perth?
Not every blocked toilet needs an emergency call-out.
If you’ve got another working toilet in the house and there’s no wastewater overflowing, you may be able to arrange a standard plumbing appointment.
But there are situations where you really shouldn’t wait.
If sewage is coming back up through the shower or floor drains, that’s a pretty good indication the problem goes beyond a stubborn toilet blockage.
Things get even more interesting when several drains stop working at once.
If the toilet won’t flush, the shower isn’t draining and the laundry sink has joined the rebellion, you could have a blockage further down the sewer line.
And if you’ve only got one toilet in the house and it’s completely out of action, waiting until Monday morning might not be particularly practical.
The biggest warning sign is sewage overflowing into your home.
Apart from the unpleasant smell, contaminated water can present a health risk and damage your floors, walls and belongings.
If that’s happening, stop using the affected plumbing, keep children and pets away from the contaminated area and get professional help.
Because there’s a big difference between a toilet that’s being difficult and a bathroom that’s turning into a sewage treatment facility.
For urgent problems, contact GA PERRY’s blocked toilet plumbers in Perth.
How Does a Plumber Clear a Blocked Toilet?
It depends on what’s causing the blockage and where it’s located.
If the obstruction is close to the toilet, it may be relatively straightforward to clear using professional plumbing equipment.
But if the problem is further down the sewer line, there’s a bit more detective work involved.
For stubborn or recurring blockages, a plumber may recommend a CCTV drain inspection.
This allows them to examine the inside of the drainage pipe and look for problems such as tree roots, damage or obstructions.
Specialised drain-clearing equipment may then be used to remove the blockage.
If the pipe is damaged, further repairs might be necessary to stop the problem from returning.
The aim isn’t simply to get the toilet flushing again today. It’s to work out why it blocked in the first place.
After all, you don’t want to be making the same phone call next weekend.
How Can I Stop My Toilet From Blocking Again?
A few changes to what goes down the toilet can save you a lot of trouble.
The easiest rule to remember is the three Ps.
Pee, poo and paper.
That’s it.
Wet wipes, sanitary products, cotton buds and other bathroom waste belong in the bin, not the toilet.
It’s also worth being mindful of how much toilet paper you’re using, particularly if your plumbing has a history of blockages.
And if you’ve noticed the toilet taking longer to drain, making strange gurgling noises or blocking more frequently, don’t ignore it.
Getting a recurring drainage problem checked early could save you from a much messier situation later.
Blocked Toilet in Perth? Call GA PERRY
Sometimes a plunger is all you need.
Other times, the toilet has decided it’s officially closed for business.
If you’re looking for a blocked toilet plumber Perth residents can contact for help, GA PERRY can investigate the problem and help get things moving again.
Whether you’re dealing with a stubborn blockage, a toilet that keeps backing up or sewage coming through the drains, our plumbing team can work out what’s happening and recommend the next steps.
And if you’ve already tried plunging, waiting and politely asking the toilet to cooperate, you’ve probably done enough.
Don’t let a blocked toilet ruin your day. Call GA PERRY before things get any messier.
Visit our blocked toilets Perth service page to find out how we can help.
You can also find GA PERRY on Google to view our business information and customer reviews.
