The Ultimate Calgary Clogged Toilet Guide

Have you ever pushed down on your flush handle, expecting to send away all the waste below, only to see it rising toward you instead of going down? Panic is a common response to that problem, but it won't get you any closer to an empty toilet bowl. Fortunately, your local experts are always ready to help with Calgary's clogged toilet trouble.

Toilet clogs are one of the most common plumbing problems affecting people in Calgary. That's why it's so important to purchase a plunger if you don't already have one. There are other options for clearing away stubborn clogs, but anyone who's dealt with jammed fixtures knows that nothing is more effective than a plunger.

Knowledge about clogs isn't limited to plumbing professionals. Anybody can learn about bathroom blockage in Calgary. All you need is a great guide written by a master Calgary plumber, like one of the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary. If you have knowledge about what creates clogs and how to clear away a blockage, you'll be well-prepared to handle any tough clog—or at least you'll know when you should ask for help from a skilled plumber.

How Do You Unblock a Badly Clogged Toilet in Calgary?

With a Plunger:

For clearing everything from a blocked kitchen sink to a clogged toilet in Calgary, there's no better tool to use than your trusty plunger. As far as plumbing tools go, plungers require very little skill to operate, and they're much more useful for fixing Calgary clogged toilets than any DIY home solution.

There are different types for different situations, so make sure you have one that's suited for clogged toilets. A standard cup plunger is the most common type found throughout Calgary homes. While that type of plunger will work well for clearing debris from a sink, it won't be as useful for dealing with your porcelain throne. The best choice for clearing clogged toilets in Calgary is a toilet plunger or accordion plunger. Their design makes it easier to create a tight seal and generate extra power inside the cramped, curved space of a toilet bowl.

If your clog isn't coming out easily, or you're having trouble generating enough suction power to dislodge anything, you can try rubbing a thin layer of petroleum jelly along the rim of your plunger. That jelly will help create a tighter seal, which helps you get more suction from your plunger. It's also important to ensure that the water level in your bowl is above the rim of your plunger. If it's not, you'll have some difficulty creating a tight enough seal to generate suction and pressure.

Hot Water, Baking Soda, and Vinegar:

If you don't own a plunger and you still want to try clearing that blockage yourself, you can try creating a solution from baking soda, hot water, and vinegar. When baking soda and vinegar mix in equal parts, they fizz and bubble, which sometimes helps dislodge debris that's stuck inside waste lines. Hot water helps melt, dislodge, and flush away debris too.

In order to get the best results from this method, you must mix equal amounts of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. When using this technique to clear drain clogs in your toilet, do not use boiling water. Water that's too hot could crack your porcelain, especially if your bathroom is a little on the cold side.

You should also know that this reaction works best in a closed system, which means that if your blockage isn't completely blocking your waste line, you may not get satisfying results from this solution. It also won't work well if your clogged toilet is already overflowing with backed-up water.

Important Note: If you have already tried to clear your clogged toilet by pouring bleach, drain cleaner, or any other chemicals inside, do not pour vinegar or baking soda in afterward. Mixing vinegar with some household cleaners creates a toxic gas. You should also never mix any two different chemicals or drain cleaners for the same reason.

With an Advanced Drain Cleaning Tool:

Some stubborn Calgary clogged toilets resist even the best attempts at plunging. If you're willing to purchase a specialized tool and learn how to use it properly, there are two advanced solutions available for dealing with those clogged toilets in Calgary: augers and drain snakes.

Drain snakes are the more common choice for homeowners in Calgary. While they're definitely effective for clearing a blocked drain, they're often not the best choice for dealing with clogged toilets because the metallic wire that makes up most of the snake can scratch the porcelain. If you do decide to use a drain snake, be very careful while twisting and inserting the line, so that you don't cause any accidental damage.

Toilet augers are specialized versions of drain snakes that are designed for use in toilets. They have a long, rubber-coated neck with a curve at the end. That rubber neck protects porcelain and anything else it touches while you insert the line into your clogged toilet. Like some kinds of drain snakes, they're operated with a crank handle that twists the line to pick up and dislodge any debris trapped inside.

Can a Plumber Unblock a Clogged Toilet in Calgary?

Yes, professional plumbers are the best people to call for Calgary clogged toilet services—especially if you don't own a plunger. When you call a licensed plumber, such as one of the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary, you can expect that your clogged toilet will be completely cleared. They'll also help you determine what caused that plumbing problem, and give tips to prevent a similar plumbing issue from affecting you in the future.

If you can't clear a clog on your own, or your toilet still won't flush after you plunge it, then it's time to call a professional plumber for drain cleaning services. There's no clog too tough for the advanced clog-clearing tools and techniques used by professional plumbers.

Why Is Your Toilet Clogging?

Toilet Quality:

Knowledgeable plumbers are often toilet snobs and are very fussy about their toilets because they’ve seen it all. Generally, they recommend looking for a fully glazed trap way of no less than 2” in diameter. They also generally want to see a 1000-gram MAP score, as well as a conventional flush and fill system so the toilet can be easily repaired in the future.

Hard Blockage & Soft Blockage:

There are two types of blockage that jam drains in Calgary: soft blockage and hard blockage. Hard blockage refers to large debris and other objects—like rocks, roots, toys, and even cellphones—that somehow end up inside drain pipes and prevent anything else from getting by.

Soft blockage eventually builds up inside all of our pipes—it's unavoidable. As soap scum, minerals in Calgary's hard water, and other debris travel through your drainage system and sewer lines, they all leave behind a sludge that builds up and creates a soft blockage.

Without regular drain cleaning service, that soft blockage will inevitably increase your chances of experiencing common issues caused by dirty drainage. That means your chances of serious bathroom blockage increase, along with your risks for all other common problems appearing throughout your entire system. The soft blockage is just as likely to cause clogged kitchen sinks as it is to affect bathroom fixtures.

Blockage Buildup Warning Signs:

• Frequent clogs
• Water backups
• Standing water in showers & tubs
• Slow drains
• Gurgling and other strange sounds
• Foul odors
• Sink flies

Poor Flushing Habits:

Did you know that most residential plumbing systems are only designed to take away three types of waste? You should only flush toilet paper, water, and human waste down your bathroom drains. Many plumbing problems in Calgary could be avoided by keeping all other materials besides that trio outside of drain pipes.

What Bathroom Items Shouldn't You Flush?

• Paper Towels, tissues, excessive amounts of toilet paper, and wet wipes—even so-called “flushable” wipes
• Hair
• Dental floss
• Cotton swabs
• Garbage
• Dirty mop water
• Personal hygiene products
• Anything else that isn't human waste, water, or toilet paper

Main Sewer Line Blockage:

Your sewer main is the central waste line for your entire home. When you flush something down your sink, toilet, or other drains, it ends up in your main sewer line, which carries all the waste from your home out into Calgary's public sewer system.

When excessive amounts of debris enter your sewer line, or blockages from fats, oils, grease, and other materials appear inside that line, it significantly slows the flow of waste out of your home. The mainline blockage could even completely stop waste from leaving your home.

As the plumbing fixture with the most direct connection to your sewer main, your toilet is often the first place that you'll see warning signs of sewer blockage. Not all Calgary clogged toilets indicate sewer trouble, but if you have frequent bathroom blockages that reappear after they're cleared, or if you experience multiple blockages at the same time, you should consider calling a professional plumber for Calgary clogged toilet service.

Sewer Main Damage:

Even though your sewer main sits underground, there are many potential issues that could cause damage. Bad blockages are sometimes enough to cause those lines to crack or break. Older sewer mains that are made of cast iron are vulnerable to rust, which causes those lines to deteriorate from the inside out. Even nearby trees and other large plants could damage your sewer main if their roots wrap around the line and crush it, or push inside through tiny pinhole cracks and continue growing throughout your sewer system.

If your sewer main is cracked, crumpled, or damaged in another way, it could cause backups that make it seem like you have clogged toilets. In reality, those surface-level issues are really a symptom of the major damage sitting below ground. Finding that damage, and fixing it, is a job for a professional plumber, which is one reason why calling a professional plumber is the best choice for all Calgary clogged toilets.

Calgary Clogged Toilet FAQs:

Will Bleach Unclog A Toilet?

Bleach will completely disinfect any hard or soft blockage that's stuck inside sewer systems and that's it. We don't recommend using any chemicals—including chemical drain cleaners—because the damage they cause to plumbing fixtures and the safety hazards involved aren't an equal trade-off for the minimal effects they produce.

Can You Leave it Overnight?

Your risks for potential water damage do increase with time, however, sometimes a little time is just what the plumber ordered and it might be enough to move the clog along. But, Calgary clogged toilet repair, like all plumbing repairs, should not be delayed very long.

What is This Dirty Water?

If there's dirty wastewater or black sludge coming back up into your bathroom, you could have raw sewage backed up in your system. That's a serious issue that indicates there's a problem with your main sewer line, and it needs to be handled by a professional plumber.

How Can You Avoid This Problem in the Future?

Remember to throw all non-flushable items away in a separate garbage container. Make sure that everyone using your bathroom knows what's safe to flush. You can also reduce water flow issues by getting regular preventative maintenance and inspections from a local Calgary plumbing company.

When Should You Call a Plumber for Calgary Clogged Toilet Services?

Any time that you can't clear away blockage yourself is a good time to call a plumber. Additionally, if you notice any of the warning signs that point toward the main sewer pipe damage, then you should call a plumber immediately.

Sewer Damage Warning Signs:

• Multiple clogs or other issues occurring at the same time
• Flushing something sends wastewater up into a different drain
• Sewage odors
• Sewage backups—black sludge
• Isolated flooding in your yard
• Bright-green grass
• Sinkholes in your yard
• Cracks in your foundation

Do You Need Calgary Clogged Toilet Services?

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary is available 24/7 with convenient appointments and plumbing services to deal with all kinds of plumbing emergencies, including clogged toilets. Whether you just need a professional with a plunger, or you want someone who'll be able to tell you if you need trenchless sewer repair, you can rely on our experts to meet your needs!

Call us today to schedule an appointment with a professional plumber or learn more about our wide range of plumbing services. We proudly serve many communities throughout Southwest Calgary and nearby areas, such as Haysboro and Lincoln Park.