The Ultimate Clogged Toilet Guide for Calgarians

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 clogged toilet trouble.

Clogged toilets 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 clogged toilets isn't limited to plumbing professionals. Anyone can learn about bathroom blockage. All you need is some direction from a licensed 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 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 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 and will help alleviate your clogged toilet. 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 with 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 clogged toilet 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 your clogged 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 afterwards. 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 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 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 clogged 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 clogged 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 My Toilet Clogging?

Toilet Quality

Not all toilets are created equal. Often new homes get “builder grade” toilets, which often aren’t the best. Big box retailers also offer some very cheap options which often end up costing you way more in the long run and cause a clogged toilet issue.

Knowledgeable plumbers are often toilet snobs and are very fussy about their toilets because they’ve seen it all, including clogged toilet issues. Generally, they recommend looking for a fully glazed trapway 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, including clogged toilets: 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 of 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 soft blockage in your clogged toilet.

Without regular drain cleaning service, that soft blockage will inevitably increase your chances of experiencing common issues caused by dirty drainage, such as a clogged toilet. 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.

Clogged Toilet Blockage Buildup Warning Signs:

• Frequent clogs
• Water backups
• Standing water in showers & tubs
• Slow drains
• Gurgling and other strange sounds
• Foul odours
• 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, such as a clogged toilet could be avoided by keeping all other materials besides that trio outside of drain pipes.

What Bathroom Items Shouldn't You Flush?

Many kinds of foreign objects lead to a clogged toilet. Some of these include:

• 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. Mainline blockage could even completely stop waste from leaving your home and cause clogged toilet issues.

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 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 from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary for clogged toilet service.

Sewer Main Damage

Even though your sewer main sits underground, there are many potential issues that could cause damage. Bad blockages, such as those in clogged toilets, 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 clogged toilets.

Common Clogged Toilet Concerns

Will Bleach Unclog My Clogged Toilet?

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

Can I 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 clogged toilet repair, like all plumbing repairs, should not be delayed. After you try DIY methods, such as plunging the toilet, it's better to call in a professional sooner rather than later for your clogged toilet. Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary will be glad to get that clogged toilet issue taken care of in no time.

What is this Dirty Water?

If dirty wastewater or black sludge is 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. On top of that, wastewater is a major health hazard for you and your family. It can expose you to illness-inducing microorganisms, such as liver infections, severe stomach cramps, and more. Protect you and your family by getting your clogged toilet issue taken care of right away.

How Do I Avoid a Clogged Toilet 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. Ensure to also clean your toilet regularly, as buildup can lead to a clogged toilet. Sometimes employing a double flush can help clean your pipes of any clogs as well. If after you've flushed, you notice leftover residue, give the toilet handle an additional flush. Keeping your toilet lid closed will also prevent any residue, dirt, or debris from entering the bowl, which contributes to a clogged toilet. Thirsty tree roots in search of water can also encroach upon sewer lines. If your tree root settles into your sewer line, it will cause blockage in your toilets. Keep an eye on these roots to prevent damage to sewer lines.

When Should I Call a Plumber for Clogged Toilet Services?

Any time that you can't clear away blockage yourself is a good time to call a plumber for a clogged toilet. Additionally, if you notice any of the warning signs that point toward 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 odours
• Sewage backups—black sludge
• Isolated flooding in your yard
• Bright-green grass
• Sinkholes in your yard
• Cracks in your foundation

Need Clogged Toilet Services in Calgary? Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing Today

Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Calgary is available 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, a drain cleaning, or toilet repair or replacement, you can rely on our experts to meet your needs! And with our Neighborly Done Right Promise, you simply can't go wrong. We stand by our workmanship and want you to be as happy with the work we perform as possible, so we guarantee that if a job's not done right the first time, we'll make it right. That's a promise.

Do you need more convincing as to why you should choose our services for your clogged toilet? Well, just check our verified reviews! See firsthand the difference we make for the residents of Calgary, Rockyview County, and Tsuut'ina.

Call us today to schedule an appointment with a professional plumber for your clogged toilet 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.