Although a broken pipe with clean or dirty water gushing out of it obviously represents a plumbing disaster to most people, there are some situations where it's not immediately clear if you can wait until the next business day to address the issue. For instance, a blocked and non-draining commode may seem like a mere inconvenience, but can be an emergency in certain situations. Therefore, if you would prefer not to have an emergency plumber come in to repair an issue with a clogged toilet, but aren't sure if it's appropriate to wait, the following facts will be quite useful to you.     

The Issue Of Unclogging A Blocked Toilet 

A blocked drain is one of the more common plumbing problems and unfortunately, there are some misconceptions that relate to the non-draining toilet. For instance, most homeowners are familiar with the plunger and many people have used toilet and sink snakes to clear unusually clogged pipes.

In addition, the use of over-the-counter clog relieving products is also common, but the use of each of those items can actually result in more damage. You should never attempt a repair you are unsure of and if you get over your head, don't be afraid to call your plumber. 

How Damage Can Occur To The Toilet

For instance, you might be surprised to discover that the changes in toilets that have come around in the last decade or so has changed the type of plunger you should be using. Specifically, the smaller bowls and reduced amounts of water used to flush has resulted in a lot of clogged drains. Unfortunately, the larger plungers that have existed in bathrooms for many years with minimal use can damage the bowl. Even if you have invested in a new plunger recently, plunging could damage the wax ring.

The toilet snake, or auger, is a flexible metallic spring-like device that is inserted into the pipes leaving the toilet bowl. The possibility of damage is obvious, since you have no way of determining where the clog is or where the spring is located, in regards to the location of the clog. Scratching the bowl is one problem, while damaging the seal or toilet connections could also occur.  

The pour-in clog releasers include very strong and dangerous chemicals. They present with the possibility of chemical burns from a splash-back when they are used and can inflict significant damage to the pipes themselves. As a result, unless advised to do so by a trusted plumbing professional, it's best to avoid their use. 

Determining Your Best Plan For Restoring Your Toilet To Its Normal Function

Therefore, if you can turn off the water to the bathroom with the clogged toilet and avoid using it entirely for a day or two, until you can get a plumber to examine it, a clogged toilet doesn't have to be an emergency. However, if it is your only bathroom or it is the only unit in your home that a handicapped or special needs person can easily access, you should probably plan on getting an emergency plumber out as soon as you can.   

In conclusion, it's not always easy to know what constitutes a true plumbing emergency and what is an urgent issue that could wait until the next business day to be repaired. If you are in that situation now, you are likely to find the above information to be exceptionally useful.   

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