Skip to main content
Open 24/7 Call 023 8112 3123

Blocked Toilets

Unblocking toilets that will not flush, keep backing up or overflow, and finding out whether the problem is in the toilet or the drain beyond it.

Call 023 8112 3123 Request a quote

About blocked toilets

A blocked toilet is one of the most disruptive drainage problems, especially in a home with only one. Sometimes the blockage is in the toilet pan or the pipe directly behind it. Sometimes the toilet is only the first place a blockage in the main drain shows itself.

The key question is whether other fittings are affected. If the bath, shower or downstairs sink are also slow, or water rises in the toilet when you run a tap, the blockage is probably further down in the underground drain. Clearing the toilet alone will not fix that.

Clear Drainage clears blocked toilets and the soil pipes and drains that serve them, then explains what caused the blockage. Where a toilet keeps blocking, we look at whether the pan, the pipework or the drain itself is the underlying issue.

Signs you may need help

  • Water rising to the rim when the toilet is flushed
  • The toilet draining very slowly after flushing
  • Gurgling or bubbling in the toilet when other fittings are used
  • Water or waste rising in the toilet when a bath or sink empties
  • A toilet that blocks repeatedly

Common causes

  • Wet wipes, including those labelled flushable
  • Sanitary products, cotton buds and nappies
  • Too much toilet paper in one flush, especially with low-flush toilets
  • Objects dropped into the pan, such as toys or toilet fresheners
  • A blockage in the soil stack or underground drain

What our approach means for you

  • We work out whether the blockage is in the toilet or the drain.
  • Soil pipes and underground drains can be cleared as well as the pan.
  • Advice on what caused the blockage and how to avoid it.
  • Recurring toilet blockages can be investigated properly.

How it works

What you can expect when you contact Clear Drainage about blocked toilets.

  1. Check the wider system

    We find out whether other fittings are affected to tell whether the blockage is local or in the drain.

  2. Clear the toilet or pipe

    The toilet, soil pipe or drain is cleared using equipment suited to that section.

  3. Flush and test

    The toilet is flushed repeatedly and connected fittings are run to confirm everything clears.

  4. Explain the cause

    We tell you what was causing the blockage and whether anything needs further attention.

Blocked Toilets across Southampton and the surrounding area

We provide blocked toilets throughout Southampton and the surrounding area within roughly 60 miles. Choose your area for local information.

Also covering

Related services

Drain Unblocking

Clearing blocked drains, gullies and waste pipes at homes and businesses, then explaining what caused the blockage so it is less likely to come back.

Emergency Drain Unblocking

Urgent help when a blocked drain is overflowing, sewage is backing up or a property can no longer use its toilets and sinks.

Blocked Drains

Help with blocked outside drains, gullies, inspection chambers and underground drain runs: found, cleared and explained.

CCTV Drain Surveys

Camera inspections that show the condition of a drain from the inside, so recurring problems and damage can be diagnosed accurately.

Blocked Sewers

Help with blocked main drains, sewer connections and sewage backing up, including working out who is responsible for the blockage.

Helpful guides

Blocked Toilets FAQs

Why does my toilet keep backing up?

A toilet that backs up repeatedly usually has either a partial blockage further down the pipe or a problem in the underground drain. If water rises in the toilet when other fittings drain, the drain is the likely cause.

Are flushable wipes safe to flush?

Many wipes marketed as flushable do not break down quickly in drains and can combine with fat and paper to form blockages. It is safer to bin all wipes.

Should I keep flushing a blocked toilet?

No. Repeated flushing can make the toilet overflow. Stop flushing, and if you try a plunger, use one designed for toilets and work gently.

My toilet is blocked and I only have one. Is it an emergency?

Losing the only toilet in a home is urgent for most households. Tell us when you get in touch and we will let you know when we can attend.

Need help with blocked toilets?

Call Clear Drainage or send us a few details about the problem. We will explain what is likely to be involved before any work starts.

Call 023 8112 3123 Request a quote
Call Clear Drainage Get a quote