Emergency Plumbing Markham 647-808-4088

It’s the problem no one wants to have, the toilet backup or clogged toilet. How do you know when your toilets are backed up or clogged? When you flush the toilet the water rises to the rim or overflows. Sometimes, before this plumbing worst case scenario, there are warning signs, such as a toilet that is slow to drain or a gurgling or bubbling sounds when you flush your toilet.

How did your toilet get backed up?

The most common reasons for a toilet backup are that objects are blocking the trap or the plumbing vent is being obstructed. A third plumbing possibility is that there is a backup up of the main sewer line leading your house.

Old toilets or low-flow toilets don’t produce enough pressure to flush away waste. Our professionals can assess your overall pressure system and determine what is the most cost efficient solutions for the health of your toilets and overall plumbing.

Maintaining your plumbing is a practice that can help prevent costly emergencies in the future and modernizing your plumbing infrastructure so that things like low water pressure do not cause toilet backups or toilets clogs.

Good household practices are also great for preventing toilet backups, pipe blockages and overall plumbing health. For instance, do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet. Avoid flushing hair, dental floss, or food down your toilet. And get qualified professionals like Emergency Plumbing Markham to install dual flush settings toilets that are more water efficient and better for your plumbing system.

The good thing (if there is any) about a blocked toilet is that there are a few things you can do first to resolve the problem. So you’ve flushed the toilet and the water is rising rapidly. Here’s how you stop an overflow and plunge a clogged toilet:

1. The water is rising. Take the lid off the tank and close the flapper. That’s the rubber stopper that’s connected to the chain which is connected to the flush handle. Push it down so that it closes the hole
2. Take the plunge! Run your plunger under hot water before you use it. This will make the rubber more pliable. Push the rubber end into the exit hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. The trick here is a good seal.
3. Add a few cups of hot water to the toilet bowl before you start plunging. Let it sit for a few minutes to help break up any clogs.
4. Give the plunger a few good downward strokes. If the water clears from the toilet you’ve successfully unclogged it.

How to Unclog a Blocked Toilet

If you don’t have a plunger handy or don’t want to use one, there are still a few things you can do to fix a blocked toilet.

Chemical drain cleaners are not recommended to clear a clogged toilet. These chemicals contain corrosive chemicals that can damage your plumbing and the porcelain of your toilet. Also, corrosive chemicals can be dangerous to your skin and eyes. At Emergency Plumbing Markham, we recommend to try plunging and then call the professionals if that doesn’t work.

Sometimes we’re asked if a clogged toilet can cause leaks and the answer is yes, clogged toilets can sometimes cause pipe leaks and effect other areas of plumbing in and around your house. A broken seal around the toilet and floor can cause leaks, as well as plunging to hard and too frequently can break the wax seal causing a leak. Loose floor bolts as well and condensation around the toilet can cause damage to floors and general plumbing infrastructure.

At Emergency Plumbing Markham, we have all the tools and experience you need to have your clogged pipes fixed quick and affordably. We always have all the tools we need on hand and we are prompt, professional and qualified to detect and resolve your plumbing requirements. Protecting your home is our passion and plumbing is our expertise.