Dealing with a clogged toilet can be a hassle, especially when it’s the only one in the house. Regardless, this plumbing issue will put a serious damper on your day. But is this a job for a plumber, or can you deal with it on your own?

The answer lies in the severity of the issue. Clogged toilets are not uncommon, and you probably don’t want to call a professional every time it happens. That’s because there are several do-it-yourself options available to fix the problem.

For example, if your child clogged the toilet by dropping a toy inside, you may be able to slip on a pair of rubber gloves and dislodge it easily. In other cases, you may need a plunger to deal with the clog. This is a common line of defense most people employ when the toilet acts up. It’s important, though, to use it properly.

Make sure the plunger’s head covers the entire hole. Stand up straight and press down on the plunger, then pull back up. Do this several times to create a strong suction to release the clog. If you have one at your disposal, use a toilet snake. This lengthy cable is fed into the toilet to dislodge the source of the clog.

If these methods fail, call a drain-cleaning professional. In some cases, attempting do-it-yourself fixes repeatedly will compound the issue. There could be an underlying concern that requires a drain-inspection team to detect.

An occasional clogged toilet is nothing to fret over, but it’s wise to contact a plumber if it becomes a consistent problem or doesn’t respond to your best efforts. Save yourself the more serious and costly problems down the road and deal with it quickly for the best results.

Taylor’s Drain & Sewer Service is the leading drain-cleaning company in Lincoln, NE. They can unclog that troublesome toilet in no time, and help with other common household needs, including sewer cleaning, septic pumping and drain inspections. Visit their website to learn more about their services, or call (402) 474-5213 to schedule an appointment.