A clogged toilet can be a real nuisance.  It leaks, it smells and it definitely does not let the toilet do what it is supposed to – dispose.  Though many people feel that clearing a clogged toilet is child’s play, it can be real difficult if the clog is stubborn.  So Unclog Toilet becomes the mantra of the day.

Generally, a clogged toilet can be cleared easily by a toilet plunger.  However, the plunger may not always be able to help you clear the clog off easily.  Here’s how you can unclog your toilet in a few simple steps:

Step 1

Make sure that the toilet boil has sufficient water in it for the plunger to be able to work effectively.  The water should be able to cover the suction cup and you should be comfortable in working the handle of the plunger up and down.  If you do not see enough water in the bowl, do not make the mistake of flushing the toilet.  If you do flush, the toilet bowl will overflow and you would not be able to use the plunger at all.  Instead, just pour some water into the toilet bowl.  Pour only that much amount which allows the plunger cup to be covered in water.

Step 2

Fit the plunger cup into the toilet drain and begin the pumping action to create suction.  In most cases, whatever is blocking the drain is close to the bowl.  After only a few minutes of the plunging action, the blockage should be able to clear itself out.  If only after a few minutes of the plunging, the debris and other material which was blocking the drain, is able to break free, you can use a wire to clear it out from the bowl.  If you have a toilet auger, this will be the best instrument to clear off the blockage.

Step 3

In case the blockage in the drain is further back up, you may need to put in some extra effort.  While the suction action produced by the plunger is definitely an excellent way to break the blockage free, you may need an auger with a long sleeve to do the trick.  An auger has a snake and hook approach to toilet cleaning.  There is a crank at the end of the auger which can be easily inserted into the toilet drain through the snake shaft.  The hook at the end of the shat allows you to hold on to the blockage which has been broken free from the drain.  Once you have broken this blockage free, you can use the hook and the crank to catch hold of it and drag it out so that it can be disposed.

It has to be noted that to use the auger efficiently, you may need to know exactly how the apparatus is used.  If you are not very comfortable using the auger, you may end up pushing the blockage even further back.  Therefore, in such a case, instead of using the auger, you can use a wire coat hanger as it would be much simpler to use.

Conclusion

When you have to Unclog Toilet the best thing is to follow the steps outlined above, or phone the plumber.

Your toilet is one of the most underrated parts of your home.  We all love to spruce up our home, but the toilet is almost always ignored.  The real importance of the toilet is only realized when there is something wrong with it or it stops functioning altogether.  It is then that we realize the toilet is the most important fixture in our home.  So we have to learn How To Fix A Toilet.

It may not be this complicated, but sometimes it is even necessary to dig in the back yard to unclog and fix a toilet.  It helps to have young help as in the above picture.

Toilets, in fact, are the sturdiest components of your home plumbing system.  Yet, there has never been a homeowner who has not had problems with it.  A runny toilet, a clogged toilet and a leaky tank are some of the most common problems in your toilet.  If you have problems with yours, here’s how you can sort some of them out.

Problem 1:  There Is Too Little Water to Clean the Toilet Bowl on Flushing

The first thing to do when something like this happens is to check the tank and see if the water level is alright.  If there is no water in the tank, none will come out when you flush.  Ideally, the water level should be at least 1-2 inches on top of the overflow tube.  If the water is somehow not entering the tank, you may have to hold the floating arm of the apparatus and bend it slightly till more water begins to enter into the tank.

Problem 2:  Leaky Toilet Tank

A leaky toilet tank is a definite problem because not only does it ruin the chinaware, it also leaves a mark on the floor, especially if you add cleaning chemicals in the tank.  If your toilet tank has been sweating water on the floors, the ideal way to manage this is through jackets which are specifically designed to absorb this sweat.  Another way to permanently fix this problem is to use a temperature valve.  This valve combats sweating in tanks by providing a mixture of hot and cold water into the tank.  This causes a relief in condensation.

Such a valve should only be installed if the general temperature of your toilet tank remains less that 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius).

Problem 3:  Cracked or Broken Toilet Seat

A cracked or broken toilet seat can be a bane, preventing you from using the toilet at all.  Fortunately, changing your toilet seat is not a very difficult task.  There are many different styles of replacement seats available commercially.  Simply pick one that suits you and start.  Be careful to select the right seat size.  There are only two standard sizes when it comes to toilet bowls, so this should not be a problem.  My favorite one is the padded seat (which is a great choice if you can’t afford a heated one).

Simply lift up the toilet seat and remove the two nuts on the hinges that hold the seat in place, on the toilet bowl.  Once you have removed the nuts, you can just lift the seat off. If the nuts are rusted, or they are corroded and are not coming off easily, you can use some oil to loosen them up.  Once the old seat is removed, place the new seat on the toilet and screw the nuts in place.

Now that you know How To Fix A Toilet life becomes even more rosy.

Deciding to write about a Toilet Valve as part of this website was made at one of those moments when I felt the need to have a real challenge.  So, here is the result.

As head of the household (my wife allows me to say that because I fix the toilet valve) I have from time to time over the years been faced with a leaky, noisy, irritating wounded toilet which usually had in some way to do with the valve and it’s inability to cope.

Fixing The Toilet Cistern

Fixing the toilet cistern can be either easy or anything but.  Replacing the inlet valve sometimes means that you also have to replace the outlet valve.  Of course it doesn’t necessarily stop there you may also have to replace the flushcone rubber.  This can be expensive and very irritating.  I will not succumb to attacking the plumbing industry, but there have been times that everyone in my neighbourhood was in front of me on the list of plumbing emergencies and I had to wait my turn listening to the leaky valve eat up not only precious water but also precious money.

Dual Flush System

I have heard of a dual flush system which somehow has to do with a plunger installation.  The dual flush valve is supposed to conserve water, slash energy use, reduce carbon footprints, reduce land fill and save money.  I really must find out more about this product.

I read that this could save about 7,000 gallons of water a year.  It seems you can convert your present toilet rather than having to replace it.  I really must find out more about this.  I just thought I would mention it so that you would have something to discuss with your plumber at his next visit other than how much is this going to cost.

Toilet Running Constantly

When your toilet runs constantly it is usually because the Toilet Valve called the fill valve isn’t closing completely.

First look for leaks.  You probably will have noticed a leak.  You may have to do all sorts of things if this is the case.  You may have to replace the tank bolts, the rubber washers and the gaskets on the flush valve.  If the leaks are around the fill valve, tighten the locknut.  Leaks can also come from a cracked tank.  Oh goodness, just replace the toilet.

Usually if there are no leaks, take off the tank cover and have a look at all those thingamajigs which can make replacing the toilet more attractive than attacking this internal puzzle.  If water is overflowing into the tube that means fix the fill valve.  If the water level is below the top of the tube, the flush valve is leaking which allows water to trickle into the bowl.

My plumber once said to me if you can’t fix the Toilet Valve, replace it.  I tried not to laugh, but did manage to thank him for his concern and information.

Advice

If you are genuinely a handyperson, have a great time with you faulty Toilet Valve.  Otherwise, phone the plumber.  PS, don’t forget to turn off the water before attacking.