We have all been there, watching the water swish, rise spontaneously, and sit still in the bowl. Clogged toilets are a daily occurrence for many. And some can never seem to quite get the problem fixed.
But just because it is normal does not mean it should be your life. You deserve a loo that flushes well to avoid all the maintenance and repair bills. Additionally, your water bill could be increasing with every clog. Plus, you should be able to flush fearlessly!
Discovering the underlying cause to treat plumbing issues is always a good idea. The information below outlines the most common reasons why your toilet is clogged. Some require professional assistance, while others you can deal with. Either way, read on to discover.
Possible Reasons Why Your Toilet Is Clogged
The model problem
Sometimes, your toilet model is the problem, specifically, the low-flow toilets. While these toilets are a good invention that helps to conserve water, they can give homeowners a tough time with clogging.
The toilets lack the necessary pressure to clear the materials through the drain. Without optimum pressure levels, materials remain in the toilets and sewer lines, causing clogging. If you have a low-flow toilet, this is probably the reason why you cannot flush well every time.
The toilets are water savers, but the cost of unclogging your loo now and then cannot compare. You can try to use less toilet paper, but the ideal solution is to install new fixtures.
You flush too much toilet paper
A few squares of tissue can easily go down the drain. However, many people use more than a few squares for various reasons. Additionally, with improvements to the product, we are dealing with multiple-ply toilet paper. The thickness of the toilet paper makes it harder to flush in large quantities.
Too much toilet paper does not break apart in water as it should. This makes it hard to flush it all in one go, contributing to clogs.
One solution is to use less toilet paper or 1-ply thickness. Also, consider disposing of some of the toilet paper in a toilet trash can.
Something that does not belong is in there
Toilet paper is the only non-human waste item that belongs in a toilet. Anything else will clog the drain. Many people flush baby wipes, paper towels, ear swabs, and other items. Even flushable wipes can make toilets clog. Plus, kids can throw stuff down the drain without supervision.
While paper towels and wipes look and feel flushable, they are not. Many manufacturers make these items resistant to tearing. Therefore, they will not break down in the water and will likely cause clogs. The obvious fix is to avoid flushing these items and instead utilise a trash can.
Clogged toilet trap
The S-trap is similar to a sink’s P-trap in that it prevents things from moving into the sewer line to prevent frequent and serious clogs. Some toilet designs do not show the S-trap, while others use a P-trap. Either way, it can be hard to tell if it is partially clogged until the toilet becomes fully clogged.
The thing about partial blockages is that they can remain even after unclogging the toilet. Thus, you will experience multiple clogs within a short period. Avoid flushing anything other than toilet paper to prevent these types of clogs.
Blocked vent
Toilets have vents! They allow air into your plumbing system, thus maintaining smells and improving pressure for flushing. The vents can block due to interior or exterior causes. When this happens, the toilet clogs. Not only that, but you will have low flushing pressure and foul smells.
The most common reason for vent blockage is exterior sources at the opening on the roof. You can check this first, and if there is nothing, have one person flush while another on the roof holds their hand over the vent to check for suction. No suction means blockage.
Blocked sewer line
Sewer line clogs are not common since the toilet’s design safeguards against it. However, it is possible that a toilet clog passed through and blocked the sewer line, backing up your toilet.
A sewer line clog means something is obstructing the flow down the line. It can also occur due to exterior factors like encroaching roots, broken pipes, and dirt deposits.
These types of clogs are not a DIY fix, and you will need the assistance of a professional. You can prevent these cogs by ensuring you only flush toilet paper and waste.
Flapper failure
The toilet flapper seals the opening between the tanks and the toilet bowl. Flushing makes the flapper lift; then water flows down the toilet. However, your flapper could be faulty and not lift enough. When this happens, the water will not be enough to push waste down the pipes.
You can tell if the flapper is causing the clog by lifting the lid and observing the flapper as you flush the toilet.
Flappers are different depending on the toilet. So you can get it fixed if it is a problem, but ensure you get the right one since they limit the amount of water they can flush.
Mineral Buildup
Mineral buildup is something common in old toilets. If you have had your toilet for a while, the holes around the upper rim of the toilet bowl could be clogged with minerals. This is especially common if you use hard water.
You can clean the mineral deposits on the rim by scrubbing them off. However, replacing your toilet also works fine.
Also Read: Signs That You Need Boiler Replacement
Best advice for frequent clogging
The best advice we can offer for frequent clogging is to seek our services. DIY is not a bad idea, especially if you have some experience unclogging loos. However, some underlying issues are beyond your capabilities. You risk damaging your system if you attempt to fix them.
But you do not have to stray too far for the ideal plumbing services. We would be happy to examine your toilet and apply permanent solutions that will have you flushing confidently again.