Even though a nuisance, a blocked toilet can in most cases be handled with DIY solutions. In some cases though, you may find that you will need the expertise of professional plumbing services as your DIY fixes do not work. In this article we will look at the more serious toilet blockage scenarios where calling a plumber is paramount. If you can recognize these situations, you will avoid potential disasters and your plumbing issues will be resolved promptly.
Stubborn and Repeated Blockages
Continuing, regular blockages in your toilet – may indicate that it is time to call a plumber so he can give you a true understanding of the problem at hand.
So if you find yourself repeatedly using the plunger or if the blockages return again shortly after clearing them, this would be indicative that there is a more significant underlying problem within your plumbing system. A professional plumber will be able to do a thorough inspection and identify the underlying issues which are causing these repeated blockages and can offer solutions to resolve the issue and also provide preventative actions to make sure it does not continue to happen in the future.
Slow-Draining Toilets
You may have a blockage deeper within the plumbing system if your toilet is slow to drain. This will require the expertise of a plumber.
Alarm bells should ring if your toilet empties very slowly. It can be a warning sign of a blockage deeper down in the pipe work. Do not try to attempt to correct this issue without the help of professional plumbing services as you might find that you could make it worse. An experienced plumber will use his equipment that is specifically designed to pin point the exact area of the blockage within your pipes. They can then use their expertise to clear it until your toilet drains at the normal pace once again.
Gurgling or Bubbling Sounds
The Intervention of a plumber will also be required if you at any time hear gurgling or bubbling when you flush your toilet. These unusual sounds are another indication that there is a serious blockage and an intervention of a plumber will be necessary.
These unusual sounds are associated with trapped air or water in your plumbing system. A blockage can cause the gurgling and bubbling sounds due to the limited water flow. This could also lead to further complications. A plumber will determine the cause of the sounds and then eliminate any blockages, restoring the toilet to its normal flow and eliminating all unusual sounds.
Foul Odors and Sewer Smells
Call a plumber promptly if at any time you smell continuous foul odors like a sewer smell emanating from your toilet. This indicates a significant plumbing problem
A Blocked sewer line or damaged vent stack can cause very unpleasant odors to waft from your toilet. A qualified plumber is knowledgeable in this area and with their specific tools they can locate the problem and eliminate the blockage. Issues like this can pose health risks so you should call a plumber immediately and not ignore the problem.
Water Backing Up into Other Fixtures
An Emergency plumber needs to be called if you find water from your blocked toilet backs up in to your shower or sink. This is a serious problem requiring immediate attention.
Unwanted damage and contamination can occur if the water from your blocked toilet starts to flow back in to other arears of your home. This is a definite sign of a potential sewer line issue or a severe blockage. This situation requires an emergency plumber who can attend your home or business promptly. They will be able to assess the severity of the problem and action what is required to resolve the issue so as not to cause further damage to your property.
In conclusion, it is always wise to seek professional plumbing services when you have a blocked toilet if you are unable to easily DIY. This will ensure that potential damage to your property or health risks are avoided and ensure that your plumbing system is again working to its full potential.
