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Original poster

Toilet blocked - help!

25 replies

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:04

My toilet is blocked - sewer guys were out and said it is definitely blocked within the house and they aren't authorised to come in and check that.

I have tried one of those drain unblocker things but no joy - does anyone have any tips as I so do want to call a plumber out and be charged a fortune.

OP posts:

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:11

help please - am getting desperate - also need a wee!

OP posts:

tammyBEARinggifts · 09/12/2004 22:14

oh dear taramac, is the drain unblocker thing those fluids things like mr muscle. sometimes if its blocked quite badly they see to keep it overnight! not very helpful i know, hopefully someone will know xxx

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:18

Tried one of those Mr Muscle things even tho it said not to use on toilets but hasn't done anything!!

Sorry on my previous post that should be I so do NOT want to call a plumber out!!

Thanks Tammybear - just nice to have some sympathy!

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tammyBEARinggifts · 09/12/2004 22:22

plumbers are a pain, is there much water in the toilet, as once when mine was blocked there wasnt much water in the actually toilet so i flushed a load down which helped

spacedonkey · 09/12/2004 22:22

do you know what has caused the blockage?

JaNgLyBELLS · 09/12/2004 22:22

Are you in a hard water area. Limescale can block toilets. You have to roll up your sleeves and get an old knife out!

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:25

No idea what has caused the blockage - seemd to develop this evening adn we hadnt been near the toilet for a few hours!

The water rises nearly to the top when you flush it and then takesages to go down again - obviously is much worse if loo paper is involved.

Am hoping maybe if left overnight it might improve.

Dp is away first thing tommorow and isn't back til Saturday so I will have to sort it on my own again! Hate dealing woth plumbers.

OP posts:

spacedonkey · 09/12/2004 22:26

I'd be poking it with a stick

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:27

No hard water area as far as I know - I have tried an old coat hanger as an impromptu plunger but to no avail!

OP posts:

Branster · 09/12/2004 22:28

where about do you live? i have a no for a local guy here

morningpaper · 09/12/2004 22:28

Use your sink plunger and give it a good plunge.

Try this for 10 minutes or so and then flush.

(Might be best not to put it straight back in the kitchen afterwards...)

JaNgLyBELLS · 09/12/2004 22:29

Well, reach down and under and have a scratch about. Oh God! what am I saying?! Have a go in the morning. Good luck!

Branster · 09/12/2004 22:30

if the blockage is outside, someone specialised (with theire special tools, like a long wire thing) would need to clear it. Try and locate the drain (should be outside the house, near the side of the bathroom), open the drain and have a look for anything obvious. not a pretty sight, but worths a try.

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:32

Am in Northern Ireland so prob not near you Branster but thanks.

Don't have a sink plunger unfortunately.

Janglybells -do u think I should get right down with a knife then and see if that helps?

OP posts:

spacedonkey · 09/12/2004 22:33

Is your bath water draining away ok?

Branster · 09/12/2004 22:33

Hmm, no he would deffinetly not get all the way there , even with his long plunger thingy . there was another thread on this in the summer. will try and find it for you.

JaNgLyBELLS · 09/12/2004 22:33

Well, that's what I'd do. But DH says it probably needs back-rodding from under the manhole cover.

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:34

The guys came and checked outside but ther is no blockage there.

Was really hoping someone would have a miraculous cure for this but obvioulsy not - oh well will wait and see if we are flooded in the morning

OP posts:

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 22:38

bath and sink water are ok except when the toilet is full and then they are both draining slowly as well - obviously they are all linked.

Branster if you could find it that would be fantastic! Hopefully some clues on it!

Do you think if I keep flushing it it will eventually clear?

The guys that came said the pipes out side and under the mancover are all clear so is obvioulsy in the u bend or slightly further down - do you think?

OP posts:

spacedonkey · 09/12/2004 22:39

it may clear of its own accord overnight

80sMum · 09/12/2004 22:42

Sometimes all it needs is a bit of extra 'oomph' to shift whatever's blocking it.
Wait for the water to go down, then plunge around with a loo brush so that the water all but disappears (important for there to be very little or no water in the loo when you start), then fill a large bucket with cold water. Put old towels on the floor around the loo (just in case of slight overflow) then flush the loo and as you do so, also tip the bucket of water down the loo. Make sure the water goes straight down the u-bend in one go, not against the sides, to give maximum shifting power. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times. Has always worked for me.

Branster · 09/12/2004 22:51

\link{http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=9&threadid=34123&stamp=040831154234\this is the other blocked loo thread}

Original poster

taramac · 09/12/2004 23:03

Thanks Branster - will be off to buy a plnger and caustic soda in the morning!

OP posts:

FimboCLAUS · 09/12/2004 23:10

On "How Clean Is Your House" they use vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to unblock things... Do you have a Spar/One Stop shop near you tonight you could maybe try

Turkeyeater · 09/12/2004 23:29

Ok, dont panic, the blockage sounds like a big poo or toilet paper between the loo and the first manhole cover. This could be one of those blockages that needs attacking on more than one front!
Would start with a plunger, not the old fashioned sort thats shaped like a rubber saucer, but the new sort thats more like a vibrator . Get two people to hold the plugs in sink and bath and flannels over the overflows, now start to work the plunger, keep going for as long as you can.
This should work. If not add bleach to water in bowl and try again in 2-3 hours.

If this doesnt work you may need to rod from the first manhole back. Should be able to borrow rods and roder from a neighbour.
Good luck!

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