Nothing in the household makes everyone panic like a blocked, broken, or leaking toilet. It looks gross and smells even worse. Important decisions must be made. Firstly, how do you handle an emergency toilet repair? And secondly, who will do it?
For some of us, there are no gloves big enough to shield us from the horror of dealing with a blocked toilet. But ignoring toilet problems could leave you up to your neck in it.
Read on to know when to call an emergency plumber for toilet troubles.
Is a blocked toilet an emergency?
If it’s the only toilet in the house, it could be, but there are a few steps you can take before you call your Sydney plumber.
If the blockage appears to be in the toilet bowl (as opposed to somewhere further into the pipes), you might be able to unblock it yourself. Put your gloves on and give these methods a try.
- PLUNGER: Using a plunger over the toilet bowl drain, apply downward pressure to create a suction. Go slowly at first, building up the pressure and speed to try and dislodge the blockage.
- HOT WATER + SOAP: Pour very hot water (not boiling) into the bowl with a generous squirt of dishwashing liquid. Leave for ten minutes to allow the blockage to break down, then flush. Repeat a few times if needed.
- DIY TOILET SNAKE: Straighten a wire coat hanger, wrapping the end in a rag. Gently loosen the compacted toilet paper. Pull and scrape out the compacted paper and flush once the rest is loose.
If these methods fail, the toilet blockage could be due to a foreign object stuck further inside the pipes or tree roots in pipes. You’ll need a plumber to diagnose the problem.
If your toilet starts to overflow, get your emergency plumber on the line pronto!
Is a moving/dislodged toilet an emergency?
If your toilet rocks slightly but no water is escaping, you’ll want to address the issue promptly – but it’s not a full-blown emergency. However, if there is a significant rocking motion and water is leaking out, this can pose a health hazard. Turn off the water supply at the wall and arrange for emergency toilet repair.
Call the emergency plumber Sydney residents have relied on for two decades – Gladesville Plumbing Services is here to help.
Is a leaking toilet an emergency?
Toilets can leak from the base, a cracked bowl, a valve, the cistern, or the rear pipes. The most concerning of these is base leaks because they can cause expensive water damage to your floors, subfloors and even the ceiling if the toilet is located upstairs. Additionally, contaminated wastewater poses a health risk. If your toilet is leaking from the base, you’ll want this repaired urgently to prevent seeping water from causing structural damage to your home.
Toilets that are leaking from the tank or running constantly inside the bowl are less of an immediate emergency than a leaking toilet base. However, ignoring the issue could see your water bill soar, and that’s an expense that you can live without.
Is a running or hissing toilet an emergency?
Toilet noise is often the first sign that all is not well. Whether it’s hissing, gurgling or some other weird sound, your toilet is sending you a distress signal. Sooner or later, you’ll be dealing with some kind of plumbing issue – but the longer you wait, the bigger the problem is likely to be.
Hissing toilets could be a problem with the flapper or the fill valve. You can take the lid off the cistern and try jiggling the top flapper valve to see if it is caught or stuck. If this doesn’t alleviate the issue, replacement parts will likely be needed.
While this is not an emergency at this stage, you should give your Sydney plumber a call as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and professional toilet repair.
Is a toilet not flushing an emergency?
Using the toilet only to discover it won’t flush is awkward, to say the least. It’s an embarrassing problem but not a plumbing emergency that requires attention at 3 am. Of course, the longer you leave it, the more urgent the issue will become – for obvious reasons.
When a toilet won’t flush, it may be because of a blockage, a problem with the flushing mechanics of the toilet, or an issue with your water supply. A licensed plumber can diagnose the issue and provide solutions.
If the tank is not releasing water into the toilet pan (and provided your drain is not blocked), pouring a bucket of water into the toilet bowl will get you out of trouble until the plumber arrives.
