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It is one of those things that will happen to everybody regularly, and will loathe every single time. You go into the bathroom, do your business, flush the toilet… only to find the bowl filling to the brim. You stand there watching in horror while uttering prayers that the bowl does not overflow, and sometimes you are fortunate and it stops, sometimes less so and you have this terrible mess to clean up. Either way, the problem is obvious – your toilet is backed up, and now you have to fix it.

A clogged toilet doesn’t need to be the end of the world, and most of the time it is very easy to fix. For more complicated clogs, however, you may need a professional. This do-it-yourself guide will help walk you through the process of unstopping a clogged toilet. This can save you on costly repairs for what may be a simple fix! It can also help you identify when a clog is beyond your do-it-yourself skills and it is time to call in a professional.

Start with the Plunger

The most well-known and effective tool in your toilet unplugging arsenal is the humble plunger. You will be able to fix most of the toilet clogs you encounter in your lifetime with this one simple tool. In fact, a plunger should be a fixture in every bathroom, so if you do not have on make sure to buy one. When shopping for a new plunger, finding one with an extended flange in front is best as it forms a better seal with most toilets and gives you a little more power with every push.

You’ll naturally want to wait until after the water level in your toilet falls a little (assuming only a partial clog) before you get started. This will help prevent any of the filthy water from splashing out and onto you or all over your floor. Give it about ten minutes and if after that time the water level still hasn’t dropped, you’ll have to take the chance anyway.

Simply insert the plunger into the bowl, forming a tight seal with the drain, and then plunge away. Start with a slow, gentle plunge before working your way up to hard thrusts. This will help to force the air out of the bell and reduce the risk of water splashing about. The drain should clear up with no more than a couple dozen plunges. If it takes longer than that, you may have a deeper problem that requires more work to take care of.

Break Out the Snake

If a plunger is not enough to resolve the clog, the problem may be deeper in the bowl. A snake or auger will be necessary to get at the clog. These devices wind a wire into the toilet in order to get at the problem and either breakup debris or drag it out for disposal. As such, having a waste basket nearby is highly recommended in case your instrument drags out something unsanitary. We recommend using a closet auger over a snake as it is designed to get around that first bend and wind its way deeper into the piping than a standard snake.

Simply insert your auger and turn the device clockwise to feed it through the pipes. As you encounter obstructions or other debris, the auger will carve into them and break apart the debris, or it will find itself wound up on the wire as it is pushed through the drain. Either way, push through slowly so as not to damage the pipes, and when you have broken through retract slowly. Clean the auger and flush – hopefully at this point you’re done! If not you may have to go one step further.

Toilet Removal

If all else fails, you may have to remove the toilet entirely to get at the problem. If you are not confident in your ability to disassemble your toilet and put it back together again, this is the time to call a professional. However, if you are confident then take the time to disassemble the toilet. Do not forget to shut off the water of course – otherwise you will just end up making a huge mess. Once you have successfully removed the toilet, use your auger on the drain pipe to try and get at the problem.

If this still doesn’t fix the problem, or if other fixtures in your home are clogging up at the same time, this indicates a deeper problem and will require a professional to resolve.

Calling in The Pros

There is no shame in calling in a plumber to clear a stopped up drain if it is beyond your ability to manage. Professional plumbers spend their days resolving problems exactly like these, and it is unlikely that you have anything going on they haven’t seen before. Professionals can not only get at the problem, put also put everything back together good as new. Remember that a clogged toilet, if left sitting, can represent a sanitation issue in your household and needs to be resolved as soon as possible!

A clogged toilet is incredibly frustrating to deal with, yet it is something that will probably happen multiple times over the course of your life. This guide will hopefully help you to resolve some of the most common issues related to toilet clogs, and get your bathroom back in working order in no time. If these solutions fail, calling in an expert will make sure the job is done correctly the first time. Remember that there is no shame in calling in the pros to help handle a plumbing problem: if you have managed to go as far as to remove the toilet and put it back together again yourself, you’ve already done more than the average consumer can be expected to handle. If these or other plumbing issues are plaguing your household do not wait. Get in touch with a professional plumbing company like Sailfish Plumbing today!

Are you considering swapping your conventional water heater for a tankless water heater in Jensen Beach Florida? If so, you may have some questions and concerns regarding if this is the right decisions for you and your home. Unlike your traditional water heater, the tankless heater is rather space-saving and supplies endless amounts of water. Aside from the many benefits of the TWH, confusion still surrounds this newly innovative way of living. Here are some common misconceptions about tankless water heaters to help determine if this investment is right for you.

Isn’t Cost-Effective

One common misconception is that TWH cost more to operate but they actually save a lot of money in the long run and have a lower operating cost and longer life, meaning that their service life is twice as much over a traditional heater. The Energy Factor or EF on a normal water heater tank can be as low as 60 but tankless water heaters are in the mid-80s. TWH are up to 25 percent more efficient that your average heater.

TWH Don’t Provide Enough Water

Another myth that seems to float to the surface is one that paints an inefficient picture that TWH don’t provide enough water and only the traditional tanks hold an adequate amount. In-flowing cold water cannot keep the out-flowing water at a consistency. TWH are designed to keep the out-flowing water at a constant temperature, thus being able to provide enough water in the tank.

TWH Can be Dangerous when Heated

This misconception stems from the temperature of heater water in the tankless water heater being scalding hot, thus causing a hazard. This myth is actually quite opposite and comes from the traditional water heaters overheating the stored water to that there is enough hot water with the influx of cold water. TWH are safe than traditional water heaters because they only heat the water slightly above the desired temperature.

Every TWH is the same

Aside from the obvious fact that all tankless heater are, well, ‘tankless’, each one of them differ in prospect. Of course, some brands will rank hire than others, offer an increase of firepower, and are easier to install. The only way to find out if you’re getting what you need is to hire a local expert to do the dirty work for you because that’s what they do best! You will have a variety of brands and deciding on what will fit your budget and act as functional as possible, expert advice is highly recommended.

TWH Needs Annual Maintenance

You can breathe a little easier knowing you don’t have to pencil an inspection for this unit. Unlike your dental or doctor appointments, surprisingly enough your TWH is one system that doesn’t require an annual inspection! This doesn’t mean that you should neglect to inspect your TWH often, but as long as you know that your calcium and magnesium compounds aren’t creating hard water, you only need to get this inspected case-by-case as there is no set schedule.

These 4 common myths are debunked; however, ask your local contractor for more details on the tankless water heater and if this is right for you.

Almost everyone has dealt with an easy-to-fix plumbing blunder such as a clogged toilet or sink. Whether you own or rent, if you aren’t watching carefully, those simple fixes can become a big issue later on, costing you time and money. These five hidden signs will warn you when it’s time to call a professional.

What’s that Smell?

You spend a lot of time cleaning, making sure that floors are swept, dishes are thoroughly washed, and the kids’ rooms are clear of food remains from last night, but you still smell a lingering odor. When you smell a musty, stale odor anywhere in your home, you can almost bet that you have a leaky pipe and mildew is starting to gather. Check your rooms, ceilings, floor boards, walls, and closets for damp spots. These subtle but prominent spots are a sign that a leak has sprung within the walls of your home and it is time to call a professional to get to the bottom of it. If you find wet spots and discoloration by the tub, sink, or toilet, this is usually an indication that a leak has sprung.

A Rocky Foundation

After many years of living in your home, you’ll notice a natural occurrence of cracks from a foundation that is starting to settle. If you’re noticing that there are more cracks developing closer together, this may be a tell-tale sign that there is a leak in the foundation. A trusted plumber will conduct a thorough investigation, determining where the leak is coming from and how it needs to be fixed.

Overpriced Water Bill

If you pay close attention to how much water you use each month, it should be no problem to spot the increase in your monthly water bill if you have leaky pipes. One major sign of leaky pipes is a larger than normal water bill. Consult a qualified plumber right away to avoid this over-expense in the future.

Ticking Water Meter

If that ticking sound isn’t your clock, you’d better check your water meter. Your metered water system will be constantly ticking if you have a leaky pipe. This lets you know that somewhere in your house the water is running without you actually using it. Whether you have a clogged toilet or a pipe that burst, take note of this sound. You won’t know the root of the problem until your handy plumber has investigated it.

Change in Temperature

Your home should have one equal temperature throughout, no matter the season or climate. If you notice temperature changes in your home, such as some rooms being cooler or more humid than others, this is a strong indication that you have a leaky pipe somewhere. Also, if you continuously use the hottest level on your water heater, will make the leaking worse.  It’s best to hire a professional plumber to investigate your property with a video “snake.” This will determine where the leak is coming from.