When To Call a Plumber For a Blocked Toilet

It’s a dirty topic, but someone has to talk about it!

Ha—we make light of the situation here, but the reality is that a clogged toilet is no fun at all. It can be smelly, messy, inconvenient, and even a health risk. But when can you DIY blocked toilet repair, and when should you call the professionals?

Killara Plumbing has been fixing loos around Sydney for nearly 50 years, so we know a thing or two about toilet repairs! Here, we share our advice on when to put the toilet plunger down and call in the experts.

When to Call a Professional Plumber When Your Toilet is Blocked

If you experience any of these scenarios, it’s time to turn to a fully-qualified local toilet plumber like Killara Plumbing.

Slow Toilet Drainage

If you flush the toilet and the bowl drains very slowly, you likely have a blockage somewhere in the pipes.

Rising Toilet Water Levels

If you flush the toilet and the water level in the bowl rises higher than usual, you probably have the start of a blocked toilet. If the water takes a long time to recede, this is another strong indicator.

Low Water Levels in the Toilet Bowl

In contrast to too much water, too little can also be a problem. Lower water levels in the toilet bowl typically indicate an obstruction in the vent pipe, affecting flushing capability.

Toilet Water Backing Up Into Other Areas

Oh, this is not pleasant. If you flush the toilet and water backs up in the bathroom sink, shower or bathtub, you certainly have a blockage in the main sewer line.

Overflowing Toilet

This is quite a dramatic symptom involving water spilling over the top of the bowl. Such an occurrence suggests severe blocking, and is certainly not something you want to experience more than once (if that!).

Gurgling Toilet Noises

A WC in good working order will, of course, make a sound when you press the flush button. However, if it continues to gurgle, then air is likely trapped somewhere in the plumbing, which suggests a blockage.

Frequent Toilet Clogging

Toilets are not supposed to block regularly. So, if you continue to experience this problem but deal with it each time using a toilet auger or plunger, then you have a bigger issue. This is not a sustainable, long-term solution and indicates you probably have a block deep in the system. Definitely one for the professionals!

Unpleasant Odours

Of course the area around a toilet might be a little on the nose straight after use…! However, bad odours are not supposed to persist for long. Ongoing smells suggest that waste is not moving smoothly through the pipes.

What Causes Blocked Toilets?

Have you ever come across those signs in public toilets stating there should only be ‘three Ps’ placed in a toilet? You guessed it—pee, poo and paper! So, pretty much anything else is a big no-no.

We’ve seen more clogged toilets than you can imagine, and we’ve pulled more things from pipes than you want to envisage! Here are some of the more common culprits.

Foreign Objects

Baby wipes, sanitary products, condoms and even toys have been known to find their way deep into the recesses of Sydney household sewer pipes.

Excessive Toilet Paper

We said paper can be flushed down the loo, but it has to be toilet paper, and it must be in moderation. It’s common sense – if you fill a bowl full of paper and expect it to squeeze through a much smaller pipe—even if wet and condensed—you’re probably wishful thinking!

Hard Water Deposits

Living in an older home with mature pipes, you may experience a build-up of mineral deposits from hard water. These can form obstructions and lead to blockages.

Tree Roots

Sydney tree roots really know how to wreak havoc on underground pipes and drains. They don’t care if they’re piercing sewerage or water pipes as long as they get a drink.

Sewer Line Issues

Blockages or breaks in main sewer lines can lead to plumbing issues across many properties.

Faulty Toilet Components

Old, faulty, or ineffective toilet parts may compromise the toilet’s ability to work properly, leading to clogging.

Insufficient Water Flow:

Low water pressure flow in a home can be problematic. Unless the water enters the toilet bowl with some momentum, it might not be powerful enough to push waste through the pipes.

What to Do if Your Toilet Is Blocked

Most households have a toilet plunger or auger. If you have tried using these and they do not work, try pouring a cup of baking soda into the bowl, followed by boiling water. Let this combination work its chemical magic and see if it deconstructs the blockage and frees things up.

You’ll know when to call a plumber for a clogged toilet if you try all these DIY tactics and still have a plumbing problem. You gave it your best shot, but now it’s time to just leave it to the professionals to sort out once and for all!

How Killara Plumbing Clears a Clogged Toilet

How we clear a toilet blockage depends on the extent of the problem and what’s causing it. Rest assured, we have the very latest detection technology and repair tools available to make this work as quick, efficient and clean as possible. We will provide you with a clear and affordable cost estimate before work gets underway so you have total peace of mind.