Hearing the gurgle from the toilet and seeing the water rise is a sure sign that you have a clog somewhere in the sewer line. Clogs can happen anywhere along the line inside the house as well as the sewer line leading to the septic tank or municipal sewer system in the yard. A toilet plunger can clear out simple clogs and slow drains in a hurry when the problem is located in the house.
Using a Toilet Plunger
When getting a toilet plunger, you want to select one that will cover the drain opening and be flexible enough to create the appropriate seal. Plungers come in a variety of shapes, including bells and accordion styles. The one main thing to keep in mind is that the plunger’s rubber head should be supple enough for you to effectively push and pull it to clear the clog while maintaining the seal throughout the action.
Place the Plunger Over the Seal
There should be enough water in the toiler to cover over the rim of the plunger, although it is better if the water level covers over the entire plunger head. Instead of lowering the plunger straight down, angle the plunger when covering over the drain. You want as little air as possible trapped within the cup of the plunger head.
Work the Plunger Several Times
With the plunger over the drain, you want to pull and push it rhythmically for about 5 to 6 times. This action creates a compression and suction action against the object creating the clog or slow drain. As the water is forced forward and back, it pushes and pulls against the object until it is loosened enough to dislodge. Then the object can flow freely down the sewer line.
Repeat Action Until the Clog is Clear
After plunging, pull it away to see if the water flows freely down the drain. At this point, the water level may be very low. Flush the toilet to see if it is operating normally. If the water doesn’t flow down the drain and threatens to rise too high in the bowl, take off the lid to the toilet’s water tank and push down on the rubber flapper that allows the water to flow into the toilet basin. This action will prevent the water from overflowing onto the floor. Begin plunging again until the toilet runs normally again.
Calling a Pro to Fix Your Toilet
Some clogs simply can’t be cleared with just a toilet plunger. In these cases, you may need a toilet auger, which is a drain snake made for the toilet, to clear out the obstruction. In addition, the clog may be caused by something other than solid waste, such as foreign objects that should not be flushed down the toilet, a broken pipe in the yard that has collapsed, or tree roots. If you are dealing with these types of problems, hire a professional from Ford’s Plumbing & Heating.
They provide 24-hour plumbers for emergencies such as stubborn clogs and slow drains. In addition, they can perform hydro-jetting when you want to avoid using toilet augers or drain snakes that could punch a hole through old sewer pipes. If the problem with the clog is with tree roots or broken pipes, Ford’s Plumbing can perform conventional sewer repair as well as trenchless sewer repair to fix the pipe with minimal disturbance to your home and yard.
So whether you need a drain cleaning, sewer repair, or just a tankless water heater installed to save on your energy bills, contact Ford’s Plumbing & Heating today. They give the right plumbing and heating solutions suited to homes and businesses throughout the Los Angeles area. Reach out today for a free estimate.
