Water rising in the toilet is alarming, but most blockages can be brought under control in a few minutes. Here's what to do when the toilet is blocked, which DIY fixes can work, and when it's time to call a plumber.
Quick Tips
- - Stop flushing and turn off the water at the valve behind the toilet
- - Check your other drains to see if the problem is the toilet or the main sewer line
- - A flange plunger is the best DIY tool for clearing blocked toilets
- - Chemical drain cleaners can do more harm than good
- - Sewage in the shower or several blocked fixtures is an emergency
- - Recurring blockages may be a pipe problem and need a professional fix
How to Unblock a Toilet: The First 5 Minutes
1. Stop flushing
Every extra flush adds water to a bowl that can't drain. This is how an inconvenience becomes an overflow.
2. Turn off the water
Look for the small valve on the wall behind or beside the toilet. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you can't find it or it won't budge, lift the cistern lid and push the flapper at the bottom closed to stop more water entering the bowl.
3. Protect the floor
Lay old towels around the base of the toilet. If the water is dirty, wear gloves and keep kids and pets out of the bathroom.
Is It Just the Toilet or the Whole House?
To effectively fix a blocked toilet, another thing you can do is try and pinpoint the other affected areas. Run water in your bathroom sink, shower and laundry tub. If they all drain normally, the blockage is likely in the toilet or its immediate pipe. If water gurgles, drains slowly or comes up in the shower when you run another tap, the blockage is further down in your main sewer line.
In the latter case, you may need a more long-term fix by a professional plumber.
How to Fix a Blocked Toilet: DIY Methods That Work
Use a flange plunger, not a cup plunger
If the rest of your drains are working normally, the problem is likely in the toilet itself. If you're wondering how to fix a blocked toilet yourself, a flange plunger is a good place to start. Its extra rubber sleeve fits into the toilet outlet, creating a tight seal that helps dislodge stubborn blockages.
Make sure there's enough water in the bowl to cover the rubber. Push down gently first to push the air out, then use firm, steady pushes and pulls for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat a few times. Slow, controlled pressure works better than violent jabbing.
Hot water and dish soap
If you need to know how to unclog a toilet without a plunger, try this. Squirt a generous amount of dishwashing liquid into the bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then pour in a bucket of hot (not boiling) water from waist height. Boiling water can crack porcelain. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes and see if the water level drops.
Know when to stop
If two or three rounds of plunging haven't fixed the issue, stop. Continuing can push the blockage deeper or damage the wax seal under the toilet.
What Not to Do When a Toilet Is Blocked
- - Chemical drain cleaners: They can damage seals and older pipes, and they make the water hazardous for anyone who works on it next
- - Wire coat hangers: They scratch porcelain permanently and rarely reach the blockage
- - Flushing repeatedly: This is the most common cause of an overflowing bathroom
When to Call in the Pros
Call an emergency plumber Adelaide homeowners trust if:
- - Sewage is coming up through the shower or floor waste
- - More than one fixture is blocked
- - Water is overflowing onto the floor
- - It's the only toilet in your home
What a Plumber Will Do
A plumber will usually start with a toilet auger to reach blockages a plunger can't. If the blockage is further down the pipe, they may use a CCTV camera to locate the cause before clearing it with high-pressure water jetting.
If the problem extends beyond your toilet, our Adelaide blocked drains service can help identify and clear deeper blockages in your plumbing system.
Blocked Toilet Cost Guide for Adelaide
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Toilet auger | $150 – $250 |
| Toilet removal | $250 – $400 |
| CCTV drain inspection | $150 – $250 |
| High-pressure jetting | $280 – $450 |
| Main sewer line clearing | $300 – $600 |
Prices are a guide only. Final costs depend on the cause and access.
How to Prevent It Happening Again
- - Only flush toilet paper and human waste
- - Keep a bin in every bathroom
- - Stop using "flushable" wipes as they don't break down like toilet paper
- - If blockages keep coming back, book a camera inspection
Many of Adelaide's older suburbs still have clay sewer pipes, which are prone to tree root intrusion. If that sounds like your home, read more about why your drains keep blocking up.
Toilet Still Blocked? Call Mr Plumb Co
If the water won't go down or you've spotted any emergency signs, don't wait. Call 0411 379 018 and our team will get to you fast, day or night.
How to Unblock a Toilet FAQs
Can a blocked toilet unblock itself?
Sometimes, if the blockage is toilet paper that softens over time. Waiting a few hours is fine if there's no overflow risk, but wipes and solid objects won't break down.
Is it safe to use the other toilet if one is blocked?
Only if your other drains are working normally. If they're slow or gurgling, the main line may be blocked and using another toilet can cause sewage to back up.
Why does my toilet keep blocking?
Common causes include flushed wipes, a low-flow toilet with a weak flush, or tree roots in clay pipes. A CCTV inspection will show the cause.
Do you offer after-hours call-outs?
Yes. Mr Plumb Co offers 24/7 emergency call-outs across Adelaide. We also handle emergency hot water repair Adelaide jobs around the clock.
Need a plumber in Adelaide? We're available 24/7.
Call 0411 379 018