Residential Drain Cleaning – Clogged Toilet Drain
A clogged toilet drain is one of the most frequently encountered plumbing problems, and fixing it can be straightforward. When a toilet is clogged, it may be a partial or a full clog. A toilet with a partial clog will still drain, although it may go slowly. A fully clogged toilet will completely refuse to drain, and may require additional care. It is critical that you never flush a clogged toilet as the contents of the toilet bowl can overflow and spill out onto your bathroom floor.
Bathroom Drain Cleaning Experts
Before you try to clear the blockage, test the drainage of your toilet. Lift the lid of the tank and then lift the flapper valve. If the water level does not go down, the drain is clogged. The first thing to try with a clogged toilet is a plunger. Many clogs can be resolved this way in less than a minute. When using a plunger it is important to have enough water in the bowl as pushing air through the drain will not clear out the clog. If the drain is still blocked after several tries, you can also try using a toilet snake which is very effective against tougher clogs.
If neither of these methods work, and the toilet will not drain at all, it is time to call the highly experienced plumbers of All Pro Plumbing Services. A professional plumber has the necessary equipment and knowledge to identify problems such as:
- Old pipes constricted by mineral deposits
- Tree roots in the main line
- Pipes that don’t line up properly
What To Do When a Toilet Repeatedly Clogs
A professional plumber has the experience and tools to clear even the most stubborn clogs. To prevent the clog from coming back, it is important to identify the root cause of the problem. Clearing a drain using store-bought chemicals may work temporarily, but the issue will often come back within a week or two. Harsh chemicals pose a safety hazard, and they can also damage pipes and fixtures. If chemicals do not clear the drain, the resulting fix will be more complicated and expensive since the chemicals will still be a safety hazard inside the pipes.
A plumber will generally clear drains using a snake or jetter, depending on the type of drain and the extent of the problem. All Pro Plumbing Services can also use a drain inspection camera to see inside the drain and identify the cause of the problem. The most common causes of drain issues include:
- Solid items being flushed, including “flushable” wipes and feminine hygiene products.
- Offset pipes: Older pipes may be laid in 3-foot sections, and sections may not line up properly.
- Soap and hair build-up.
If you have tried to unclog your bathroom drains using a plunger or chemical drain cleaners, but the clog is still causing problems, it is time to contact the journeyman plumbers at All Pro Plumbing Services, cleaning drains all throughout the Portland OR metro area.
Clogged Toilet Drain FAQs
Q. What should I do if my toilet is clogged and overflowing?
If the toilet is actively overflowing, we recommend turning off the water supply to the toilet (the shut off valves are located behind the toilet towards the bottom of the wall). If the supply cannot be shut off at the toilet, you will need to have the water to the house shut off. Once the water is stopped, you can have a plumber come out to unclog the toilet.
Q. What are some of the most common causes of clogged toilets?
When used correctly, disposing of just human waste and a reasonable amount of toilet paper, your toilet should run without clogging. The majority of toilet clogs are the result of something inappropriate that’s flushed down the toilet. These include “flushable” wipes (no matter what they say on the package, they’re not flushable) and feminine hygiene products.
Less often, toilet clogs can be the result of an old pipe system that needs repair or soap and hair buildup in the drain.
