How to Prevent a Blocked Toilet
What causes toilets to block and how homeowners, landlords and businesses across London and Essex can prevent it happening.
A blocked toilet is one of the most common calls we receive, and in most cases it could have been avoided with a few simple changes to what goes down the pan.
What actually blocks a toilet
Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper, and not much else. Anything beyond that, however small it may seem, can catch on a joint or bend in the pipework and start building into a blockage.
Excess toilet paper used all at once is a surprisingly common cause, particularly in older properties with narrower or less efficient pipework.
Items that should never be flushed
The rule of thumb is simple: only flush pee, poo and paper. Everything else should go in the bin.
- Wet wipes, even ones labelled flushable
- Sanitary products and cotton wool
- Nappies and baby wipes
- Cotton buds and dental floss
- Kitchen roll and cleaning wipes
Signs a blockage is starting to form
A toilet that needs flushing more than once, water that rises higher than usual before draining slowly, or a gurgling sound from other bathroom fittings are all early signs of a developing blockage. Catching these signs early often means the difference between a quick fix and a full emergency call out.
What to try before calling for help
A good quality plunger, used correctly, clears many minor toilet blockages without any further intervention. Avoid pouring chemical drain cleaners into a toilet, as these can be ineffective against solid blockages and are unpleasant to work with if a plumber does need to attend.
If plunging does not work, or the blockage returns quickly, it is best to stop flushing and call for professional help before the situation gets worse.
When professional drain unblocking is needed
Persistent or recurring blockages, especially ones affecting more than one toilet in the same property, usually point to a problem further down the drainage system rather than in the toilet itself. High pressure jetting can clear these blockages thoroughly, and a CCTV drain survey can identify the cause if the problem keeps coming back.
In commercial properties with multiple toilets, such as offices, restaurants or schools, recurring blockages are often linked to misuse across a large number of users, and a site visit can help identify where education or signage might help alongside any physical repair.
We're here to help
If you have a blocked toilet that will not clear, or one that keeps coming back, we offer drain unblocking and 24 hour emergency call outs across London and Essex. Call 020 3488 6280 or email info@rdrainage.co.uk.