Unblocking a drain can require a great deal of knowledge about the cause of the blockage. Certainly with more severe blockages a specialist drain technician is required. Smaller blockages are easier to deal with, and it is possible to deal with them yourself. That said, if you are not a trained drain engineer there is always the risk that you may encounter a problem along the way that you are unsure of how to act on.
It is possible to repair a blocked toilet yourself, using a plunger. Ensure that the plunger is shaped to the opening of the toilet bowl to create the pressure that is needed to either push or pull the blockage out.
It is very important that this step is done carefully to avoid any dirty water or sewage waste spilling onto the floor, as this can be a major health hazard due to all the bacteria in the water. Once the blockage is dislodged and removed, use the flushing mechanism again to test whether the water runs smoothly, and you can test its effectiveness by placing a small bit of toilet paper in the bowl to observe how well the toilet paper flushes away.
If you do not have a plunger, wire coat hangers can come in very handy. Straighten out the hanger into one long wire, and bend it into a curve. Push the wire up the pipe leading to the toilet chamber, and gently wiggle around to clear any blockage. Again, this step must be done carefully to avoid damaging the toilet.
Hot water is often your best option in cases where the blockage is mild, and can be used in most fixtures. You’ll also find that baking soda and vinegar are very useful tools in unblocking a pipe. However, if it looks like the problem might be a bit more demanding, then please call Blocked Drains Southampton – the sooner the better!
