My toilet won’t flush or is rising. What now?

First, stop flushing. Repeated flushing into a blocked toilet risks an overflow.

If the water level is high, wait for it to drop before acting. A flange plunger (the type with an extended rubber lip) seals the bowl outlet better than a flat cup plunger and is more effective on toilets.

Common causes are flushed wipes, excessive paper, or sanitary products. If plunging does not clear it, or if other drains gurgle when you flush, the blockage may be further down the main drain and needs an engineer.

Never use a chemical drain cleaner in a toilet that is already blocked, as the chemicals sit in the bowl and create a hazard.