A blocked toilet is not only gross and bothersome but it can also be expensive, depending on what is causing it. When you see the water backing up, wait for it to subside. Do not flush again if you like dirty water flooding your bathroom floor.
In most instances, the handy plumber will work to unclog a blocked toilet. You may also use a coat hanger, toilet snake, closet auger, or a hydro-jet if you have some lying around. With that said, you need to be careful using these tools because they can damage your porcelain bowl.
You can also try to pour hot water on the bowl to see if it works. In some cases, pouring a chemical agent and leaving it on overnight will do the trick as the force of gravity clears the obstruction by itself.
However, you call in the professionals when you experience the following:
- When you know that a foreign object is stuck inside – If your kids have deliberately tried to flush their toys out of curiosity and it is causing water to back up, you need more than a plunger to fish them out of there. If you can see it, maybe put on some gloves and see if you can pull it out of there. But avoid poking it with a stick or using a plunger because you run the risk of further lodging the foreign object even deeper.
- Problems from multiple drains – You toilet is blocked not because of the size of the obstruction, but due to the problem in the drainpipe in your household or commercial property. One way to check this is to turn on the faucet. You may observe that water on your sink or bathroom floor is also slow to empty to the drainer.
- Bad odour – The obstruction may not be as obvious at first. Your toilet still flushes but your drain pipe underground is already blocked. It is only a matter of time before the water goes back up. If you smell a funky odour overpowering your home, call the plumber immediately.
- When all else fails – If you tried the plunger or toilet snake, as well as the clearing agents available in the market, then it is time to call in the plumbers. Only they can make the correct diagnosis and recommend possible solutions for your blocked toilet. It is one of those cases when you only have to bite the bullet and pay the professional.
How Much Will a Blocked Toilet Cost You?
If you call in plumbers, the cost of fixing a blocked toilet hinges on the task at hand. Generally, you can expect to pay more if the job is complicated. To unclog a simple blocked toilet, it will cost you about $100 more or less. If the plumber needs to replace a portion of the drainpipe, expect the cost to spike to $1,000 or more.
If the problem is much worse than first anticipated, and your entire drainage system needs to be replaced, then you will spend at least $5,000. Remember that the prices quoted above are just estimates. You need to contact a plumbing service to get a more accurate idea of your budget. Getting a quotation is free, so do not hesitate to request one.
Author bio: Steffy Alen is a copywriter and content strategist. She helps businesses stop playing around with content marketing and start seeing the tangible ROI. She loves writing as much as she loves the cake.
