If you find yourself suffering from a blocked toilet it can be a real nightmare. Not only will it impact on your day-to-day life but if not dealt with quickly it can become a serious health hazard for anyone living or working in the property. While it is not always possible to stop your toilets suffering a blockage, blocked drains in London or anywhere else can sometimes be avoided if you take some basic steps. People are often unaware of the impact that misuse of your drainage system can have both in terms of cost and inconvenience. So for the purpose of this article we thought we would have a look at some of the things you can do to help ensure your toilet continues to function properly.
Do Not Flush Unsuitable Items Down Your Toilet
It might seem like a convenient way to get rid of rubbish, but flushing paper towels or other unsuitable things down your toilet can cause it to become blocked. Some of the other items that should never be introduced into your drainage system include nappies, wet wipes and sanitary products. These items will not disintegrate and as a result are likely to get stuck in the drainage system and prevent water from flowing freely. This will cause your toilet to back up and eventually start to overflow and create a mess. To avoid this happening, it’s important to only flush toilet paper down the loo. If you have any other rubbish to get rid of, take it outside and dispose of it in the bin. By following these simple tips, you can help keep your toilet free from blockages.
Do Not Flush Large Amounts of Toilet Paper in One Go
When flushing large amounts of toilet paper down the toilet at one time, it can quickly cause a blockage. This is because the toilet paper will not break down like it should, and instead will bunch up and get stuck in the pipes. To avoid this, try to break up the toilet paper into smaller pieces before flushing it down. This will help it to break down more easily and prevent a blockage from forming.
Regularly Clean your Toilet with a Mild Cleaning Agent
Regularly using a mild cleaning agent can help to stop your toilet from becoming blocked. This is because the agent will help to keep the pipes clear and free of any build-up that can cause a blockage. If you don’t have a cleaning agent handy, baking soda and vinegar can also be used as a natural alternative. Simply pour a cup of baking soda down the toilet followed by a cup of vinegar. Let this mixture work its magic for about half an hour before flushing it all down with hot water.
Get Yourself a Plunger, Learn to Use it and Keep it Handy
One way to sure that your toilet doesn’t become blocked, is by having a plunger at the ready. A plunger can be used to unblock the drain if something does happen to get stuck. Make sure that you use the plunger correctly – you should cover the hole at the bottom of the plunger with your palm and then push and pull the plunger up and down until the clog is dislodged.
Regularly Check the Internal Workings of your Toilet
Many people don’t think about the internal workings of their toilet until something goes wrong. But by taking a few minutes to check things out every so often, you can avoid nasty blockages and keep your toilet functioning properly. It only takes a few minutes to remove the lid of the cistern and check things are OK, and those few minutes can save you money on repairs.
While doing the things listed above won’t guarantee that you don’t end up with a blocked toilet they will certainly go a long way to preventing it.
