Everyone is familiar with that feeling of dread that sets in when, after flushing the toilet, you see the water begin to rise to an unusual level. Lots of things flash through your mind in this moment. You hope that it’s not going to overflow and that you’re soon going to hear that reassuring sound indicating that the water is draining. If it’s night time, you may wonder how many 24-hour plumbers Calgary has, and if any of them would be available to help you.
And instead of draining, the water just sits there. Even if it doesn’t overflow, you know that one more flush would push the water over the edge, and nobody wants that. But before you start Googling “plumbers Calgary,” let’s see if you can do anything to fix this problem yourself.
Drain cleaners
First of all, as any plumber will tell you, store-bought chemical drain cleaners usually have little or no effect on clogged toilets. Of course, you can try one if you already have it, but buying one would just be a waste of money.
Plungers
Most people have plungers, and fortunately you do not need any advanced plumbing knowledge to use one. However, if you don’t have a high-quality type of plunger, you greatly diminish the tool’s potential effectiveness. You need one that is made of tough, durable but flexible material and has a fold-out cup. Most plumbers, Calgary and elsewhere, have a plungers like these, and it’s usually the first thing they try when they’re called to fix a clogged toilet.
Plunger use is simple: Press the rim of the plunger around the toilet opening so that it forms a ring of suction. Push down on the handle, and then pull up with force. Do this several times. The important thing is to put your force into the pulling, not the pushing.
Toilet augers
If you’re still not ready to start calling plumbers, Calgary has many hardware stores that carry toilet augers, and they usually sell for anywhere between $10 and $50. While this may seem cheap, toilet augers are not guaranteed to work, so you may end up wasting money.
A toilet auger is usually the second tool that a professional plumber will use to try to unclog a toilet. Basically, it’s a metal snake that works its way into the draining system of the toilet, hooks the obstruction, and then pulls it out—sort of like fishing. The machine is simple and easy to use, but, again, it’s not guaranteed.
Advanced techniques
If none of these things work, and if you’re not experienced with advanced plumbing techniques, it’s probably best to give up on the idea of fixing the issue yourself. If you don’t know any plumbers, Calgary has several websites where you can find directory listings of plumbers who can come to your home at any time of the day or night. And if you wish to be helpful, when the plumber is on the way, clear the area around the toilet, and use a bucket or bowl to empty as much of the toilet water as possible.
