Toilet Unblocking in Liverpool

Most of the time, a blocked toilet happens because something's gone down the drain that shouldn't have. The usual culprits are often:

• Too much toilet paper: Sounds simple, but it's a big one! Large wads of paper can easily get stuck.
• "Flushable" wipes: These are a huge problem. Even if a packet says they're flushable, they often don't break down like toilet paper and can cause severe blockages further down the line.
• Sanitary products: Tampons, pads, and cotton wool should always go in the bin, never down the toilet.
• Foreign objects: Children's toys, air fresheners, dental floss, cotton buds – anything solid can get lodged in the U-bend or pipes.
• Grease and fat: If you've poured cooking fats down your kitchen sink, they can harden in the pipes and contribute to blockages that affect your toilet.
• Structural issues: Less common, but sometimes the blockage is due to a crack, collapse, or tree roots growing into your drainpipe outside.

For minor blockages, you might be able to clear your toilet yourself. Here's what you can try:

• The plunger: This is your first line of defence. Make sure the plunger covers the whole toilet hole, then give it a good few strong pushes and pulls. The suction often dislodges simple clogs.
• Hot water and washing-up liquid: Pour a good squirt of washing-up liquid into the bowl, followed by a bucket of hot (not boiling) water. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. The soap can help lubricate the blockage, and the hot water softens it. Then try flushing.
• Never use harsh chemical drain cleaners: These can damage your pipes, are dangerous to handle, and often don't work on tough toilet blockages. They can also make the problem worse for a professional trying to clear it afterwards.

When you call Merseyside Drainage, we use a range of safe and effective methods to clear your toilet without damaging your plumbing:

• Specialist drain augers: These long, flexible cables can reach deep into your toilet and pipes to physically break apart or retrieve blockages.
• High-pressure water jetting: For tougher or deeper blockages, we use powerful jetting equipment. This blasts high-pressure water through your pipes, scouring away fat, grease, scale, and any lodged debris, restoring full flow.
• CCTV drain surveys: If blockages are recurring, or we suspect a structural issue, we can send a small camera into your drains. This lets us see exactly what's causing the problem, like tree root ingress, cracks, or collapsed pipes, without digging anything up.

If your toilet is overflowing, act quickly to minimise damage:

1. Stop the water flow: Reach behind the toilet and lift the float ball inside the cistern or turn the isolation valve on the pipe coming out of the wall. This will stop the water from refilling the bowl.
2. Mop up spills: Use towels to soak up any water on the floor.
3. Call us immediately: An overflowing toilet often means a significant blockage in your main drain. We offer a 24/7 emergency service across Merseyside and can get to you fast to resolve the problem safely.