Having a stubborn blockage in your toilet can be frustrating, unpleasant, and nerve-wracking — many people turn to DIY solutions because they are concerned about the cost of calling a draincare professional. So, are DIY drain rods a viable option for unblocking your toilet, or do you need to give TWC a call? In this blog, we will explain the function and applications of drain rods, and how they can be used within your home.

What are Drain Rods and How Do They Work?

Drain rods are long, flexible tubes that can be inserted into a drain to manually break up and push along a blockage. They usually consist of several lengths of rod that screw together, making them a customisable and versatile tool for draincare. They are often used to clear outdoor drains when they become blocked with leaf litter or debris, but they can also be very effective for indoor plumbing.

Can Drain Rods Be Used in a Toilet?

The simplest answer is yes, drain rods can be used in a toilet when deployed with caution, but the reality is that every situation is different. If you have a blockage further down the pipe of your toilet that you cannot reach, a drain rod can be a useful solution to shift it, but there are risks associated with DIY drain rodding. You could push the blockage deeper, or cause damage to the toilet bowl by being too rough — it can be challenging to wield the long, flexible rods accurately!

How to Safely Use Drain Rods to Unblock a Toilet

1. Securely assemble the drain rods, according to their instructions. Improper assembly can lead to the rods coming apart within your pipes, which is a costly and very inconvenient problem.
2. Gently and carefully insert the rod into the toilet, being careful not to scratch the porcelain of the toilet bowl.
3. Push the rod slowly into the pipe until you encounter the resistance of the blockage.
4. Rotate the rod gently to help break up the blockage. Do not force the rod into the blockage — if there is no movement, remove the rod and contact a professional.
5. If the blockage is breaking up, gently remove the rod and flush to push the blockage through. You may need to repeat steps 2-4 in order to completely clear the blockage.

When Not to Use Drain Rods

There are many situations in which drain rods are not a suitable option for clearing your blocked toilet. If the blockage is particularly shallow, using a plunger (or simply donning some rubber gloves to manually dislodge it) should be more successful. Drain rods are also not well-suited to older or more fragile plumbing systems, as even when used gently they can impact the walls of your pipes. If you are unsure that you should be using drain rods, contact TWC — our engineers can either use our professional-grade drain rods to clear your blockage without damage, or utilise our other specialist equipment if required. Many draincare situations require professional equipment or a very experienced hand to rectify, and DIY fixes have the potential to cause further costly damage rather than solving the original problem!

Alternative Methods to Unblock a Toilet

There are several other DIY methods that you can use to try and unblock your toilet, depending on the situation at hand.

Using a Plunger

• The traditional plunger is a very effective way of shifting shallower blockages. You may need to remove excess water before attempting to use it, as the movement of the plunger might cause overflowing if the blockage has caused the toilet bowl to fill up. Once the water level is low enough, make sure that you have a strong seal by aligning the edge of the plunger with the pipe, and then move the plunger handle up and down rapidly for 30 seconds. The suction should be enough to dislodge the blockage, allowing you to flush the toilet normally.

Toilet Augers

• A toilet auger should be used in the same way as a drain rod, but it is specifically designed to work around the curved pipes of the toilet, making it less likely to cause damage to the porcelain. Nonetheless, it has the potential to harm your pipes if deployed with enough force, so caution is still advised.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

• For very mild blockages, the mechanical action caused by the fizzing mixture of vinegar and baking soda may be enough to break it up. Add one cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl and give it five minutes to settle at the bottom, near the pipe. Then, add one cup of vinegar, and allow the fizzing reaction to sit for one hour before attempting to flush the toilet.

Professional Services

• Rather than attempting to unblock your toilet yourself, you can contact a professional! The TWC team have dealt with a huge variety of stubborn blockages, challenging drains, and unique situations over the years — we are here to help.

Tips for Preventing Toilet Blockages

The easiest way to solve a toilet blockage is to prevent it in the first place. There are some simple habits that you can form in order to protect your pipes, saving you time, money and stress:

• Never flush non-degradable items, like sanitary products or wet wipes.
• Try to use minimal toilet paper or flush the toilet twice during visits to the bathroom.
• Maintain a regular cleaning routine of your toilet and other drains, to help avoid build-up.

Toilet Trouble? Call TWC!

DIY draincare might seem cheaper than calling a professional, but the potential for costly damage or simply inefficient methods is high. Ultimately, if your drains are blocked, we encourage you to give the TWC team a call. All of our work is 100% guaranteed and we never charge call-out fees, which means that you can trust our experts with your blockage and your budget. We work with both residential and commercial clients across Northern England, and we are always happy to help.

If you do want to try a DIY unblocking method, like drain rods, please proceed with care and ensure that you are following the instructions on the product carefully.

For all your drain unblocking and drain repair needs, please contact us today!