Have I made things worse?! (Drain issue)

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I have come on to this thread as I need help fast please!!

A while ago I used Caustic Soda (carefully) to help unblock slow draining loo. It worked for a while but not so good recently.
Someone at work (who originally told me about using Caustic soda) advised me to use some more as he suspected the original lot wasn’t enough to penetrate the bulk of the blockage.
So today, I put more down, got distracted so didn’t dilute it, forgot about it and went out

Came home hours later, flushed loo and the bowl filled up and took an age to drain away

I think it’s set like concrete

I am boiling kettle after kettle trying to break it up and it’s draining away slowly but am I doing the right thing??!!

Please can someone advise me?! I am going on holiday at the weekend and working until then, I have no time to sort a plumber and am home alone!!

TIA

Maybe try a drain rod thing to poke at the blockage

Put some vinger down but it will fizz

Do you use wipes and flush them? Do you flush tampons/ towels? If so, don't do it any more

Call a drain unblocker out

You’ll probably be better by opening the trap outside your house. Get a big stick, turn the hot water from the sink in the bathroom where blocked toilet is and dig/poke the crap (literally I’m afraid) free.

Quite often the pipes used (especially in new builds) are too narrow gauge and prone to blockages.

Plumber’s daughter, lots of handy plumbingtips!

Don't put boiling water down the toilet - it can crack the bowl

I wouldn't use vinegar as it might get quite fiesty. Even water dissolving caustic can get quite warm, adding an acid will make it worse (and for the I've of God don't put any sulfuric based drain cleaner or bleach down). If water isn't working (agree with another wife about not using boiling) then you might need to get a plumber. Again, unless you've got heavy duty gloves etc I'm not sure I'd try removing trap myself as caustic burns are no fun (make sure you fully brief the plumber)

Thanks everyone.
It’s an old house so hopefully narrow gauge pipes aren’t the problem - just years of ‘stuff’
No wipes, tampons etc (post menopausal)

Thanks for advice re no hot water but i’ve put about 10 kettles worth down there already

I had a small amount of white vinegar that I have just put there.

I have no rods and am on a 12 hr shift tomorrow that I can’t get out of! Then flying abroad. Nightmare! I am so annoyed with myself.

I guess i’ll just have to deal with it when I’m back.

I wouldn’t pour hot water down the toilet in case you crack it

Call a drain unblocker now?

If you leave it it will potentially be much worse, also this could be affecting your neighbours. Last week our toilet started filling up high when we flushed it, turns out the next door had a blockage. Called drain man, fixed within 10 mins.

I had already put white vinegar down before reading not to and it’s done the trick.
The visible chunk has broken down to almost nothing so I’ve added malt vinegar to the remaining bit
It’s running much better now although the bathroom smells like a fish ‘n’ chip shop!
Thanks for all advice.

I didn’t mean pour hot water down loo. The sink and loo drain into same pipe if in the same room 🙈.

If it’s old clay pipes I would advise NOT using caustic soda - any strong chemicals could cause the old pipes to disintegrate and cause you MAJOR problems. You’re still better having a look in the trap outside.

Or you can pay a drain man to do exactly what I’ve suggested.

bunnyfuller
Checked outside and all running fine. Toilet better now after pouring vinegar down it 🙈

I’ll take your advice and not use Caustic soda again

Thanks for all advice