Blocked, leaking & broken toilets
Blocked, leaking & broken toilets plumber
Strathpine & Moreton Bay region
There are numerous reasons a toilet may become blocked. Most commonly is because they are incorrectly used as rubbish bins. Items that are NOT okay to flush down the toilet include:
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Nappies and wipes (even if the wipes say they can be)
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Cotton balls and cotton buds
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Personal hygiene products
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Pet and cat litter
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Too much toilet paper used
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Rocks, toys and teddy bears (compliments of children)
"Some things should never be flushed"
What are the signs your toilet is about to become blocked (or already blocked)?
Ignoring the early signs of a toilet drain blockage can end up being a costly and destructive problem. When a sewer drain blocks, this may cause the sewerage to back up through the bathroom drains.
Bad smell: Whilst unpleasant, this is an early indicator that a blockage may be forming. The smell is a product of the gas that is produced from organic waste and wastewater in the drainpipes. If you try an environmentally friendly drain cleaner but it fails to remove the smell, this is the time to call a plumber as there may be a bigger problem occurring with your drainage.
Gurgling sound: This is another early indicator that a blockage may be forming. The sound is the blockage causing the ratios of liquid and air to change which then causes the sewer gases to escape through the water seals. Please don’t ignore this sign as it is not normal for a toilet to do this. Like with a bad smell, you can try an environmentally friendly drain clear before calling a plumber.
Slow draining toilet water: After flushing, if you notice that the water level in your toilet is slow to decrease or the water rises scarily up to the top of the toilet, these are indications that a blockage may be forming.
Water level in toilet is lower than usual: When a drain toilet is blocked (or on its way to being blocked), the blockage cause a vacuum effect pulling the water down through the pipes.
Discoloured water: If you notice the toilet bowl water becoming dirty looking between flushes, this is an indicator that a blockage is forming.
If your toilet starts to show signs of a blockage, please don’t use harsh chemical drain cleaners as they are not environmentally or eco-friendly.
Ignoring the signs of a toilet drain blockage could turn into a costly problem!
Maintenance to prevent a blocked toilet
To potentially avoid a blocked toilet, there is easy drain maintenance you can carry out …
Hot water: Between every say 2 – 4 weeks, pour hot water into your toilet bowl and then flush. This potentially may help loosen any items that have started to accumulate along the wall of the sewer pipe.
Bacteria / enzyme-based drain cleaners: These environmentally friendly cleaning solutions (which contain bacteria / enzymes) break down the organic materials / fungi. As the bacteria / enzymes digest the materials in the drainpipes, they spread and reproduce becoming even more effective.
Vinegar and baking soda: This combination of ingredients is very easy to obtain and does not harm the environment. This mix will keep the drain line clean (and can potentially clear a drainage blockage):
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pour hot water into the toilet bowl and flush
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pour half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar into the bowl
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leave for at least 15 minutes and then flush
Strathpine & Moreton Bay region plumber
Blocked, leaking & broken toilets
Throughout Strathpine and the Moreton Bay region, Dean Wallace Plumbing provide the following services:
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Unblock / clear a clogged or blocked toilet
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Fix a leaking toilet
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Rectify a toilet that won't flush
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Carry out required toilet repairs e.g. replacing a cistern, flush mechanism, valve or float
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Swapping out an old toilet for a dual-flush toilet
We also provide a 24 hour / 7 day emergency call-out service and can usually respond within the hour.
No matter how small the job requirement, we are happy to help. Please don't hesitate to contact us.
20% off blocked drain & block pipes services (cash payments only)