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How to Fix a Clogged Toilet: DIY Solutions

A clogged toilet is one of the most common bathroom issues. Before you start your repairs, always remember to turn off the water supply to the toilet to avoid any additional issues. With the right approach, fixing a malfunctioning toilet can be straightforward, giving you confidence and peace of mind. If repeatedly faced with these issues, consider professional plumbers.

Here’s how to address it:

Toilet Out of Order: My Toilet is Clogged

1. Use a Plunger: Ensure it has a flange on the bottom, which is tailor-made for toilets. The stereotypical plunger with the flat you see in entertainment media is not the correct kind of plunger for a toilet.
2. Plumbing Snake or Auger: Use it to dislodge deeper clogs that a plunger can’t reach. In a pinch, you can use a garden hose pipe with no attachment on the end.
3. Enzymatic Cleaners: Handy for dissolving organic matter, but they take longer to work and may cause a chemical smell. It is imperative not to mix chemicals, as you could create a hazardous cocktail.
4. It may even take a combination of all 3 steps to help you clear a toilet blockage.

Toilet Out of Order: Why Is My Toilet Clogged With Nothing in It?

If your toilet keeps blocking with no apparent cause:

1. Check for issues with the sewer line.
2. Inspect for non-flushable items that may have been accidentally flushed.
3. Consider professional assessment from qualified London plumbers like Absolute Plumbing Ltd.

Toilet Out of Order: Toilet Won’t Flush But Not Clogged

1. Check the Fill Valve: A damaged fill valve can affect the water level.
2. Inspect the Fill Tube: Ensure it’s attached properly and not damaged.
3. Adjust the Float: Incorrect float levels can cause filling issues.  The ideal toilet cistern water level should be about 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube.

Toilet Out of Order: Leaking Water From Tank to Bowl

1. Check the Flapper Valve: This is a common cause of leaks between the tank and bowl. If it’s damaged or misaligned, replace it. Not only can this cause there to be insufficient water in the cistern to flush the toilet, this can also run up your water bill significantly if left unattended.

Toilet Out of Order: Bowl Water Level Drops

Leaky Seals and Cracked Bowls

1. Tighten the Bolts: Loose bolts can lead to leakage around the base. Ensure they are tight, but not over-tightened which could crack the bowl.
2. Inspect the Wax Seal: If it’s damaged or broken, replace it to prevent toilet water from leaking onto the floor. Wax seals are incredibly cheap to purchase but can be tricky to install correctly. If yours is visibly damaged, please consider calling a professional plumber.
3. Cracked Bowl: Unfortunately, a cracked porcelain bowl cannot be repaired and will require replacement. This job is not DIY-friendly as it requires extensive experience to get right.

Functional Issues

Toilet Out of Order: Sluggish Flush or Insufficient Flushing

1. Adjust the Flapper: A faulty flapper can lead to a partial flush.
2. Adjust the float: If there is not enough water in the cistern, there may not be enough water to get a full flush.
3. Check for a Faulty Vent: Detailed instructions are below under “Toilet Out of Order: Bubbling Issues.”
4. Cut Mineral Buildup: As a last resort, use a muriatic acid wash to clear hard mineral deposits in the jets. Using muriatic acid, though effective in cutting through mineral buildup, carries significant risks and requires stringent safety measures. This highly corrosive acid can cause severe skin burns and emit harmful fumes damaging to the respiratory system. Protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and a respirator mask, is essential. Ensure the room is well-ventilated, opening windows and using fans to circulate air. Always add acid to water, not the other way around, to prevent a dangerous chemical reaction. Given its hazardous nature, we seriously recommend calling a professional London Plumber instead of attempting this yourself.

Toilet out of Order: Unstable Toilet

Resetting Your Toilet: If your toilet rocks back and forth, it might need to be re-secured to the floor.

This can be done by following these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Remove the caps covering the bolts at the base of the toilet.
3. Tighten the bolts using a wrench to secure the toilet to the floor.
4. Check if the toilet still rocks. If it does, you may need to replace the wax ring underneath the toilet.

Remember, if you’re unsure or encounter difficulties, seeking help from professional plumbers is advisable.

Phantom Flushes

1. Phantom flushes occur when a toilet refills by itself, often caused by a leaking flapper. To fix this, check the flapper for leaks that may be causing the issue. If the flapper is damaged or worn, replace it.
2. Another cause of phantom flushes could be a faulty fill valve. Inspect the fill valve for any issues and replace if necessary.
3. If both the flapper and fill valve seem to be functioning correctly, you may have an issue with your water pressure, which can also result in phantom flushes.

Sweaty Toilet

To address a sweaty toilet, which is often caused by condensation on the outside of the toilet tank, especially in warmer months, you can follow these steps:

1. Insulate the Toilet Tank: Installing an insulation kit inside your toilet tank can prevent condensation by keeping the outside of the tank warmer. This can even be done on the cheap with bubble wrap.
2. Use an Anti-Sweat Valve: An anti-sweat valve mixes a little warm water with the cold water feeding into the tank, raising the water temperature inside the tank to reduce sweating. Unless there is already a hot water supply to your cistern, this will require a professional plumber to install.
3. Improve Bathroom Ventilation: Increasing air circulation in your bathroom with an exhaust fan or opening a window can help reduce humidity levels, thus preventing your toilet from sweating.

Toilet Out of Order: Bubbling Issues

1. Ventilation: When encountering a bubbling toilet issue, it commonly indicates inadequate venting. Vents are typically located on the roof of the building, allowing air to escape from the plumbing system.
2. Ensure vents are unobstructed to maintain proper airflow and prevent toilet problems. If your vents are not easily accessible, it may be worthwhile calling professional London Plumbers.

Corrosion and Wear on Toilet Hinges

1. Replace Hardware: Corroded or rusty hinge screws should be replaced to ensure proper lid function. Not only will this quieten down a squeaky hinge, it will noticeably improve its appearance.
2. This is a very DIY-friendly and cheap fix.

Toilet Out of Order: Broken Toilet Lid

Sometimes, the issues with a toilet extend beyond simple repairs to the hinges or the seat, necessitating a complete replacement of the toilet lid. This could be due to extensive damage, a desire to update the bathroom’s aesthetic, or to incorporate features such as soft-close mechanisms. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Measure Your Toilet Seat: Before purchasing a new lid, ensure you have the correct measurements. Toilet seats come in standard sizes, but it’s important to measure the length, width, and distance between the fixing holes to ensure a perfect fit.
2. Choose the Right Material: Toilet lids are available in a variety of materials, including plastic, resin, and wooden finishes. Consider the durability, ease of cleaning, and how it complements the overall bathroom design.
3. Remove the Old Seat: Lift the covers over the fixing bolts at the back of the seat, unscrew the nuts, and carefully lift away the old seat and lid.
4. Clean the Area: Before installing the new lid, clean around the fixing area to remove any dirt or grime.
5. Fit the New Seat and Lid: Position the new lid and seat over the fixing holes, insert the bolts, and tighten the nuts. Be cautious not to over-tighten and risk cracking the porcelain.
6. Adjust and Check Stability: Once fitted, check the stability of the seat and lid, ensuring there’s no wobble. Adjust if necessary to ensure a secure fit.

Replacing the toilet lid is a straightforward process that can significantly impact the look and functionality of your bathroom.

Toilet Out of Order: Final Thoughts 

Absolute Plumbing Ltd can offer a quick diagnosis and effective solution should these DIY tips not resolve the problem. Ensuring a smoothly operating toilet is vital for any household, and with basic know-how, you can tackle the most common toilet issues yourself.

Remember, if your toilet won’t flush but is not clogged, or if you’re regularly experiencing a tissue clogged toilet, don’t hesitate to call in professional London plumbers such as Absolute Plumbing Ltd. Proper maintenance and swift action can help avoid the distress of a toilet backing up or recurring toilet water rises then slowly drains not clogged situations. 

Toilet out of order? Reach out to us at Absolute Plumbing Ltd 

Besides general plumbing services, we can also assist with maintenance and servicing of your central heating system, drain lining, drain cleaning, CCTV drain surveys, radiator installation and leak detection in London. 

Contact us today on 073 415 47739