blockages

Blocked Toilet: Is It an Emergency or Can It Wait?

23 December 2025 · approx. 8 min read

Toilet not flushing properly or starting to back up? Here’s how to tell if you need an emergency plumber now or if it can wait for a normal appointment.

Disassembled plastic waste trap and pipework under a bath — A badly installed waste trap under a bath – a common cause of slow drains and repeat blockages.

A blocked toilet is one of the most common plumbing calls we get. Some blockages are annoying but can wait a little while. Others are a genuine emergency and need a plumber out as soon as possible.

When a blocked toilet is an emergency

Water is rising to the rim of the pan or overflowing onto the floor.
You can hear gurgling in other fixtures (basin, bath, shower) when you flush.
Multiple toilets or drains in the house are backing up at the same time.
There is sewage smell coming from outside drains or inspection covers.

These signs usually mean the blockage is further down the pipework or in the main drain. Leaving it can quickly lead to sewage backing up into the property, which is both unpleasant and a health risk.

When it can usually wait for a normal appointment

The water level in the pan is a bit higher than normal but slowly drops back.
It’s only one toilet affected and the rest of the plumbing is working fine.
You can see that too much toilet paper has been used and the pan isn’t close to overflowing.

In these cases, you may be able to try a few safe DIY steps first, such as using a proper toilet plunger or leaving the blockage to soften with hot (not boiling) water and a small amount of washing-up liquid.

What not to do with a blocked toilet

Don’t keep flushing to “force it through” – you’ll usually just flood the floor.
Don’t use wire coat hangers or sharp objects that can damage the toilet.
Be cautious with strong chemicals; they rarely clear a solid blockage and can make the job more hazardous for the plumber.

What to tell your plumber when you call

How long the toilet has been blocked and whether it has overflowed.
If any other fixtures are affected (basins, bath, shower, outside drains).
If there have been previous problems with the same toilet or drain.

If you’re ever unsure, treat it as an emergency – especially if the toilet is your only one in the property. We’d always rather you call and it turn out to be minor than leave it until there’s sewage on the floor.