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Before I have a mental breakdown, how can I unclog my toilet?

80 replies

Fressia123 · 11/02/2021 10:33

Toilet is completely unsuable, we're isolating, no volunteers to help today and I'm having my period, so need the toilet regularly :(

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EspressoExpresso · 11/02/2021 10:34

What's it blocked with? (Dare I ask!)

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MrsPnut · 11/02/2021 10:36

Is the toilet blocked or is it the waste pipe?

Do you know where the inspection hatch is for your sewage drain? If that is full then the blockage is down the pipe but if it is clear then it is between the toilet and drain.

I have used a wire coat hanger untwisted before to try to clear a blockage in my MIL's toilet.

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MrsMercedes · 11/02/2021 10:36

Bucket of water dropped in from height

That shifts most things

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YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 11/02/2021 10:37

If it is toilet paper blocking it, I have had success with shampoo and hot water (not boiling)

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IndecentCakes · 11/02/2021 10:37

Going to need more detail here - what blocked it?

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MrsMercedes · 11/02/2021 10:37

There use bin liner taped up over your elbow and then go in with your arm

Don’t get stuck!

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Alakazam8 · 11/02/2021 10:38

If just blocked toilet and not pipes pour boiling water down and bleach if you have it. Leave for 15 mins and then you can use an old cloth mop wrapped in a carrier bag as a plunger. Push it in and out quite firmlyIt worked for me once in an emergency- didn’t use mop again though!!!!

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ancientgran · 11/02/2021 10:38

Get a mop, put a black plastic bag over the mop head end, tie it on and use it like a giant plunger. I unblocked a toilet in student flat for one of my kids as no one else would and I dread to think what they'd have been charged so I just decided to give it a go. Totally block and I cleared it in seconds.

Good luck.

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SugarMiceInTheRain · 11/02/2021 10:38

Various options I've used depending on the severity of the blockage include a wire coat hanger, untwisted and used to hook out clumps of loo roll etc which are causing the blockage, using a gloved hand or hand/arm in a bin bag to try to remove blockage, or a pressure gun thing that you pump up , create a seal then pull the trigger to force it along the pipes. Or the less environmentally friendly option of chemicals?

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Fressia123 · 11/02/2021 10:39

I have no idea what blocked it. It was slow but unsuable up to this morning, so I thought it was ok/unsuable. My DD had a poo and now it's completely unsuable.

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ancientgran · 11/02/2021 10:39

Alakazam the mop and plastic bag is very effective isn't it.

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IndecentCakes · 11/02/2021 10:40

Try the coat hanger, if that fails use the mop and bag. Never fails.

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Fressia123 · 11/02/2021 10:40

It's also almost overflowing at this point (not quite) but can't add any more liquid or it will.

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Theunamedcat · 11/02/2021 10:40

Use the bac over the mop method it works

Then flush it through with several buckets to make sure its totally clear

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DatingDickheads · 11/02/2021 10:41

Cling film method! YouTube it.

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EspressoExpresso · 11/02/2021 10:41

Ok I'd unfold a wire coat hanger (or use a similar rigid but flexible pokey stick thing) and have a good mulch around down there. That should start to break up any toilet paper wadges that may be causing a problem.

Then stick a load of washing up liquid down and let that take effect. That should work on and start to shift any poopy blockages

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Theunamedcat · 11/02/2021 10:41

Scoop some water out first if its not draining at all

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JustanotherTuesday · 11/02/2021 10:43

Shampoo or washing up liquid and hot but not boiling water thrown from a height has always worked for me.You have to put the lid down and wait abound 10-15 minutes.

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MrsMercedes · 11/02/2021 10:44

Washing up liquid will bubble massively

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Ted27 · 11/02/2021 10:44

baking powder and white vinegar, leave for half an hour to let it fizz

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idontlikealdi · 11/02/2021 10:46

Ours was recently blocked - it was teh waste pipe not the toilet and due to the configuration of our pipes we had to call out a plumber.

DDs had been putting far too much toilet roll down and it just couldn't cope.

You can call a plumber if isolating.

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Tyredofallthis1 · 11/02/2021 10:47

In a similar situation, lots and lots and lots of good washing up liquid worked for me, but I had to let it sit for a while.

You can bail out some of the water into a bucket or similar.

Good luck!

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BarbaraofSeville · 11/02/2021 10:48

It's not so badly blocked that it's frozen in the soil pipe is it? That happened to us once because a break in the drain was causing it to back up and the waste sitting in the pipe froze during one of those really bad winters about 10 years ago.

But that was quite a major operation for it to be sorted out, involving the water company (their responsibility for repairing the break) and a drain repair company to unblock the soil pipe.

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x2boys · 11/02/2021 10:50

Either a plunger ,or a mop as others have said ,it works really well .

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Greenevalley · 11/02/2021 10:53

Your soil pipe may well be frozen.
When ours was we used Dyno rod.
It will be at least £150. I would think.

Have you got understanding neighbours with a downstairs loo? You could offer to take wipes and clean all handles down after use.

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