Blocked toilet clearing in Exeter
Professional blocked toilet clearing services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Toilet blocked and won't flush? I'll clear it quickly - proper tools, no mess, back to working order. Most blockages cleared in under an hour.
When Your Toilet Just Won't Flush
The water's rising instead of draining, and you're panicking because guests are arriving in two hours. Or it's backed up completely and you can't use it at all. Or it flushes but really slowly and you know it's about to block completely. All fixable, usually quickly.
💡 Pro tip: If your toilet's flushing slowly (takes ages to drain), it's partially blocked. Sort it now before it becomes a complete blockage at the worst possible moment (Christmas Day, inevitably).
Why Toilets Block
It's always something that shouldn't go down there:
| ✅ Safe To Flush | ❌ Don't Flush |
|---|---|
| Human waste | Baby wipes (even "flushable" ones) |
| Toilet paper (reasonable amounts) | Sanitary products |
| Nothing else | Cotton buds, dental floss |
| Nappies | |
| Kids' toys | |
| Excessive toilet paper |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Diagnose | Work out where the blockage is and what caused it |
| Clear | Use plunger, auger, or drain rods to clear blockage |
| Test | Multiple flushes to confirm it's flowing properly |
| Advise | Explain what caused it and how to prevent it |
📦 You're Left With
- Working toilet, flushing properly
- No mess left behind
- Advice on preventing future blockages
- Peace of mind
Pricing Guide
| Blockage Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple blockage (plunger) | 20-30 mins | £60 |
| Stubborn blockage (rods/auger) | 30-60 mins | £60-£85 |
| Remove toilet to clear | 60-90 mins | £110-£135 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Perfect For...
✅ Complete blockage - won't flush at all
✅ Slow flushing - draining but taking ages
✅ Recurring blockages - keeps blocking up
✅ Emergency situations - guests arriving, only toilet
Why Choose Us for Blocked toilet clearing in Exeter?
Cleared quickly and cleanly
Proper tools for stubborn blockages
Find and fix the cause
Advice to prevent future blockages
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Problem
I'll check if it's just this toilet or multiple drains (tells me if it's a local blockage or main drain issue). Look to see what's visible, assess how bad it is.
Step 2: Clear The Blockage
Start with a plunger (works on most simple blockages). If that doesn't shift it, use a toilet auger (flexible rod that goes down and breaks up the blockage). Stubborn ones might need drain rods from both ends.
Step 3: Test Thoroughly
Multiple flushes to make sure it's clearing properly. Check there's good flow and nothing backing up.
Step 4: Prevent Future Problems
I'll tell you what caused it (if I can tell - sometimes it's obvious, sometimes not) and how to avoid it happening again.
🔧 DIY Tips
Toilet unblocking is one of those jobs you can try yourself first:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Toilet plunger (cup-style, not sink plunger)
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves (essential!)
- Old towels
- Possibly a toilet auger
🔩 How to unblock a toilet
- Don't keep flushing (makes it worse)
- Put on rubber gloves
- If water level is very high, bail some out into bucket
- Use plunger - push down slowly, pull up sharply (creates suction)
- Repeat 10-15 times with force
- If that doesn't work, use toilet auger - push down into trap, crank handle to break up blockage
- Once clear, flush several times to ensure it's fully clear
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using a sink plunger (wrong shape, doesn't seal properly)
- Keeping flushing (overflows the toilet)
- Using wire coat hangers (scratch the porcelain)
- Chemical drain cleaners (rarely work, damage pipes, create fumes)
- Giving up too quickly (plunging takes effort and time)
💡 Pro trick: If plunging isn't working, try pouring a bucket of warm (not boiling) water down from waist height. The force can sometimes shift stubborn blockages. Don't use boiling water - can crack the porcelain.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 "Flushable" wipes aren't - despite what the packet says, they don't break down like toilet paper. They're the number one cause of toilet blockages in the UK. Bin them, don't flush them.
Multiple drains blocked? If toilet, sink, and bath are all slow/blocked, the blockage is in your main waste pipe or outside drain. That's a different job - might need rodding outside or even a drainage company with jetting equipment.
Older houses with cast iron pipes - these can corrode and create sharp edges inside that catch toilet paper and build up blockages. If you're getting recurring blockages in an old house, the pipes themselves might need replacing.
Septic tank or cesspit? These can cause recurring toilet problems if they're full or failing. If you're rural and have a tank, when was it last emptied? Might be worth checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes blocked toilets?
Usually too much toilet paper, baby wipes (they don't break down), sanitary products, or things that shouldn't be flushed (cotton buds, nappies, toys that kids drop in). Sometimes it's a build-up of limescale or a problem with the waste pipe itself.
Can you always clear it without removing the toilet?
About 95% of the time, yes. I use proper drain rods, plungers, and augers to clear blockages without taking the toilet up. Occasionally the blockage is further down or in an awkward trap, and I need to remove the toilet to access it properly.
What if it's not just the toilet that's blocked?
If your toilet AND sink are both backing up, the blockage is probably in the shared waste pipe or outside drain. That's a bigger job (might need drain rods outside or even a drain jetting service). I'll diagnose where the actual problem is.
Will you make a mess?
I do my best not to - I use plastic sheeting, have buckets ready, work carefully. But unblocking toilets can be messy by nature (it's literally clearing poo and paper). I'll clean up properly after.
How long does it take?
Most toilet blockages clear in 20-45 minutes. Stubborn ones or blockages further down the system might take longer. If it's a really awkward blockage that needs the toilet removing, could be an hour or more.
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