Toilet Troubles ...

[joko]

my boyfriends toilet keeps blocking, for no apparent reason - ie, no giant poos, or loads of paper, just 'normal' amounts

with EVERY flush it emits a long drawn out 'wail', kind of like a weak horn - i assume this is some kind of air lock or something...?

but sometimes, after 'normal' use, it fills up to the top then slowly drains away, then it looks clear, but next flush it fills up to the top again, and wails

any ideas? i am assuming this is a plumber job, but is there anything we can do ourselves (besides not pooing etc)

my bf and his flatmate and his gf, also have a habit of using baby wipes in the loo - i have told them over and over that they are not tissue and don't break up - that its like putting a piece of fabric down the toilet, but they don't take any notice when there's no paper left and will often just use up the pack before bothering to go and buy more paper! (even more ridiculous when you realise that the flat is above a corner shop! )

could this be the problem?

thanks

[woofgang]

yes indeed. baby wipes will block the loo every time....are you sure you want such an idiot BF?
This kind of thing can work
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If I was the landlord, I'd be hopping though.

[tonyav]

The waste pipe may need rodding.

[Canary42]

Call a plumber - anything else might put you in trouble with the landlord.

[TWR]

Joko, you have given them advice if they will not take it, let them fork out for a plumber, they will then take heed of your advice.

[Canary42]

Good idea TWR

[TWR]

It takes something like that for some to take heed Canary, when it hits them in the pocket, some learn very quickly.

[daffy654]

If they must use wipes tell them to buy proper ones like Andrex or Kleenex ones, they do break up and are definitely flushable.

[woofgang]

had to come back to this because of your statement that the loo blocks "for no reason" It blocks because he is shoving babywipes down it lol.

[gingejbee]

daffy: definitely flushable? Well, you CAN flush these "proper"ones - but, if the toilet plumbing is prone to blocking.. it can still lead to big problems.
I know somebody who had a job with a drain-clearing firm, and he said that anything other than toilet paper (and the obvious!) can block "iffy" drains.

[joko]

thanks all

woofgang - as i said, i meant that the bowl is not overfull of paper etc and therefore there is no obvious and immediate reason for the water to not to down.

it does not always do this but does it on and off - but always makes the noise even if it flushes normally.

[Tilly2]

You can buy moist toilet tissues which are flushable. Tell your BF to get some of those after the toilet has been sorted out.

[joko]

they only use them when there is no paper left, they don't want them particularly, they are not kept in the bathroom or anything.
I hide them but he always finds them.

[The Builder]

Joko... you won't see anything in the bowl. The blockage will be either in the trap ("around the bend"), or further along the line.

Baby wipes; J-cloths; Disposable nappies....... are nearly always the problem. I don't think the blockage can be far from the bowl though, or the problem would show up downstairs in the shop toilet.

It may clear itself eventually, on its own. If not, the pan would have to be taken out so that the soil-pipe can be cleared. It wouldn't take a plumber very long to sort it.

[mrs.chappie]

Caustic soda and hot water might be worth a try.