What is usually done about a blocked toilet?

[Smcart5]

As i am about to litter my area with adverts for small jobs and repairs to try and get experience i have been made aware that a common problem is a blocked toilet, when my toilet is blocked i usually put on a rubber glove and push the blockage through with two fingers, its nasty and dirty but it does the job and the blockage is usually just in the pan and can't quite push through the trap so needs breaking up or a little help.

That is probably not ideal if i go to someone's house for a blocked toilet, i fear a draining rod may damage something if i try and shove it down a toilet, there are, i have been told, specifically designed rods for toilets but are quite expensive.

My question is, what do you guys usually do about a blocked toilet, i am expecting varied responses, if any and all input is welcome.

 

[Mushybees]

I tend not to deal with blocked toilets but if i'm stuck it's a mop inside a black bag lol.

If you're called out to a blocked toilet check the inspection chamber first. In my experience seven times out of ten it's backed up drains.
Otherwise the customer ran out of bog roll so used kitchen roll (that bounty is strong) or one of those over the rim toilet fresheners has fallen in.

 

[Winston]

Best thing to do is remove the soil pipe behind that tends to be the area that it blocks at. but you need to look carefully just because a wc is blocked does not mean its the culprit for the blockage. Lift up manhole cover look at the level. Look at the soil pipe for access. And look for the condensate on occassions this has been installed causing a unbrella effect.

If you are going to do this sort of work get yourself some good bailey rods, thick gloves,gauntlets, anti bacterial lotion a small jet wash machine a snake to attach & possibly some proper chemicals. And go to your doctor for your vaccinations, tetnus, hepatitis.

And before you go prodding your hand down anywhere be cautious and careful, needles are prevelant and never do it on a fixed price by the hour.

 

[johnmcginty]

Plunge it, if that fails try throwing a bucket of water down at the same time as flushing to create more pressure......can obviously backfire though.

 

[Bernie2]

Check inspection chamber first. Mop in a plastic bag or mop out of plastic bag is usually best. You may have to take pan out in some cases or rod back from the inspection chamber toward the pan.

 

[Mushybees]

Dont you think that before you litter your local area with adverts you should have at least the basic understanding of what are the most basic plumbing problems before you are let loose on the paying customers
LET ME THINK??? FASTRACK GOD HELP THIS INDUSTRY

Hate to appear curmudgeonly but... what he ^ said.

You really need to get some experience before you expect people to pay for your services, not get paid to learn.
If you haven't a clue how to unblock a wc you must realise the course you paid for was worth nothing.

 

[david williams]

drain rod with 6 inch plunger.one hit useualy gone.unfortunetly for your prospective custermers that you have not been taught about basic plumbing.you would be better off finding a local jobbing plumber to work with ,so that you can learn as you go along.werewolf !! fast track ,no track,plumbing has been downgraded to a non trade,the future is actualy bleak for the plumbing industry. 6,8,10,26 week cources,100% pass rate.note the fault of those who wish to enter trade,but our own for resisting regulation over the years.

 

[Puddle]

when my toilet is blocked i usually put on a rubber glove and push the blockage through with two fingers, its nasty and dirty but it does the job and the blockage is usually just in the pan and can't quite push through the trap so needs breaking up or a little help.
QUOTE]


Sounds good to me,but maybe you would look more professional,if you did away with the rubber glove

 

[Alanka]

There is a special (and cheap) plunger designed to unblock toilets - I've found it often works with just one forceful plunge! You can get one from e.g. Toolbank - see www.toolbank.com | 1453E Suction Plunger 5.1/2in

It's basically a reinforced flat rubber disk fixed to a stout wooden handle, with a 'crutch-head' at the end of the handle to yank it with. It works on the suction stroke rather than the plunge stroke, and it can develop such a mighty pull that it'll shift most obstructions. You push it into the trap past the 'throat' - then pull!

I'd never dream of going out without one (on a plumbing job that is!).

 

[Bernie2]

The problem with anything like a plunger as the old hands will probably tell you. When you plunge the pan the contents usually squeeze around the plunger and spray all over you or the room your in. Whereas a good mop tends to seal to the shape of the pans outlet.

The thing is, don't forget if you haven't got a poly bag get one and you can wash the mop head out a few times by flushing the wc on it before you bag it up.

Done loads of jobs with a good old mop.

The proper way of course is to flush the toilet a few times and test with paper while inspecting its running away down the drain at the inspection chamber. Don't forget to take some disinfectant with you.

 

[danielp]

i use a drain rod with the 4 inch round rubber on it works every time

 

[Smcart5]

Litter was an overstatement, its just a small advert asking for odd fixes, leaky valves, blocked waste etc or an apprenticeship on the local kebab van, will put some up at the merchants for plumbers mate.

I understand the adversity but there is no course, college or otherwise that teaches you enough to start on your own, even the national college curriculum's are put simply, installing a wc, a set of radiators, a basin, a cylinder+f+e, maintenance on taps, rad valves, float valves, then several cutting and bending of copper+low carb steel, throw in the theory for level 2 and that's your lot (or was my lot) so i figured i would start really small.

 

[Mushybees]

Litter was an overstatement, its just a small advert asking for odd fixes, leaky valves, blocked waste etc or an apprenticeship on the local kebab van, will put some up at the merchants for plumbers mate.

I understand the adversity but there is no course, college or otherwise that teaches you enough to start on your own, even the national college curriculum's are put simply, installing a wc, a set of radiators, a basin, a cylinder+f+e, maintenance on taps, rad valves, float valves, then several cutting and bending of copper+low carb steel, throw in the theory for level 2 and that's your lot (or was my lot) so i figured i would start really small.

Please don't confuse what I'm saying, I'm not trying to discourage you. It takes a lot of hard work and a big set of bollocks to set up self employed so I have a lot of time for people who do it.

I agree there's no course that teaches enough for someone to call themselves a plumber when they're done. The criteria for passing the tech cert and NVQ is laughable which I have said before now.
People only start to see the merit of apprenticeships once they've finished one of these courses. The stuff covered during an apprenticeship is more important than the college experience by an order of magnitude

I can't stress enough how important experience is. You may not be in a position to do an apprenticeship but you should try and find some work as a plumber's mate/labourer so you can pick up some of the basic skills needed before you set up on your own.
If you need to ask how to clear a blocked toilet you're not ready. I say that with your best interests at heart mate.

 

[secret squirrel]

I'm self employed and have been working for 6ish months.

I've only one thing to say about toilets, I hate them, everything about them, unblocking them, changing the syphon, everything.

I've done a few different jobs but toilets are my biggest nightmare. I still take them on after all its a job, of all the things that will make me a gibbering wreck crying in the corner its a toilet....

 

[pauls]

i went to a blocked toilet a few weeks back it was so bad i had to scoop it out with a cut down bottle and disconnect the pan from pan connector

there was more tolilet roll in that pan connector than the local corner shop could sell in a week