Keep an eye out for these 5 common signs of a blocked toilet. If you suspect your toilet is blocked don’t just ignore it and hope it’ll go away or you could end up with disastrous consequences. A blocked toilet can be a serious health issue and cause damage to your home and bathroom if left untreated. Overflowing toilets and showers, damage to pipework and foul smells can all be the result of a blocked toilet and a sure sign you need to call your Licensed local plumbing professionals to fix your problem ASAP.
1. Slow Draining Toilet
A sure sign your toilet is blocked and your drains are backing up is slowly draining of water from the toilet bowl after you flush it. Often it will take significantly longer than usual for the water level to drop and the level may even drop lower than usual in the bowl which is caused by the vacuum effect of a blocked drain. Either way, both are common signs of a blocked toilet and need to be attended to before further damage is caused. Your toilet should have a constant flush rate and any change to this is a sign you have a problem.
Don’t let these signs go unchecked, if you notice these changes in the water level of your toilet call a Licensed plumbing professional immediately.
2. Toilet Bowl Full or Overflowing
If you flush your toilet and the bowl fills up then your toilet is blocked. There is no more certain sign of a blocked toilet than a full bowl after flushing. Excess toilet paper or something foreign being flushed down the toilet like a toilet deodorizer or children’s toys is usually the cause. This generally means the blockage is contained to the toilet trap and the remainder of your sewer drains are working OK. Be sure NOT to flush your toilet again though as you’ll end up with a great mess on your toilet floor.
The toilet may need to be removed to clear the obstruction, so it's best to call a local plumbing professional.
3. Gurgling Sound
Another sign your toilet may be blocked is a gurgling sound from other fixtures in your home and bathroom. When drains are blocked it changes the liquid to air ratios within the drain causing sewer gases to escape through water seals and vents within your sewer system. If you notice these noises don’t leave it make sure you call you Plumbing professional before the problem gets worse.
These noises are a great early warning sign and the blockage can usually be cleared quickly at this stage. Left unchecked though and the problem can become far greater and more expensive to repair.
4. Foul Smell
An obvious sign your toilet is blocked is the immittance of bad odours. Bad smells coming from around your bathroom, kitchen sink or toilet are all indications that your toilet drains may be blocked. The build-up of sewer waste in your pipes produces gases and these gases are emitted via fixtures and vent pipes throughout your home and forced out by the build-up of pressure in your pipes caused by the blocked drain.
If you notice these smells it's time to call in your licensed plumbing professional before the problem worsens.
A blocked toilet left unchecked can cause major problems down the track. The quicker you address it the more cost-effective the solution.
5. Overflowing Gully Trap
If you notice toilet paper and water on the ground around you overflow relief gully or gully trap outside your home then your toilet is blocked. These gully traps are designed as an exit point for your sewer should your property sewer drains become blocked preventing the sewer from discharging in your home instead discharging outside.
The grate that sits on top of the gully should be loose fitting and not obstructed with pot plants and the like which would prevent the grate from popping and sewer discharging outside.
As there are serious health risks involved it's always best to contact a Plumbing Drainage Specialist as soon as you notice your drains are blocked.
Blocked toilet and drainage specialists will carry all the specialised equipment required to diagnose and clear your blockage without causing further damage to your home.
At Essendon Plumbing Services we have been unclogging blocked toilets across Melbourne for over 30 years. Our expert plumbers are ready and available to help fix your toilet issues at any time of the day or night with the latest technology and solutions. To read more about our services or explore more of the signs to look for you can visit our blocked toilet service page.
Need Your Toilet Unblocked?
Blocked toilets and drains usually build up over time and when they block it's an emergency. If you notice any of the above 5 signs in your home then call a Licensed Plumbing Professional immediately to prevent further damage and limit the cost of repairs.
If caught early blocked toilets can be fixed quickly and efficiently. If left you they can become major problems needing major repairs and costing major amounts of money. For all your toilet drainage needs contact Essendon Plumbing Services on 03 9335 4755 or book online.
Do you need a Female Plumber?
19 Catalina Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043
03 9335 4755
info@essendonplumbingservices.com.au
