Nearly every toilet will clog occasionally, and there’s a range of reasons. If it’s infrequent and the clog drains after a couple of pushes on a plunger, you don’t have anything to worry about. However, if your toilet is regularly backing up, it’s a sign that there’s an issue.
Some of the common reasons for a clogged toilet include:
- Something got flushed that shouldn’t be
- Too much toilet paper is being flushed
- The sewer line is clogged
- The toilet vent or trap are blocked
Toilets Are Picky
Toilets are designed with a bent pipe known as a trap, which is meant to stop odor and gases from sewer pipes to enter your home. The bend can also trap items, especially if it wasn’t designed for flushing them. The only things that should be flushed down a toilet are toilet paper and natural waste.
“Flushable” wipes aren’t flushable, nor are paper towels or other paper products. That’s because the paper is too thick to break down in water quickly.
If you have small children, clogs can be more common until they learn that only toilet paper gets flushed- and that toys shouldn’t go for a “swim.”
If you develop a blocked toilet that the plunger can’t help, use a drain snake or auger to try clearing the blockage. If that doesn’t work, the problem may be further down the pipe, and it’s time to call a plumber.
Too Much Toilet Paper
It’s possible to flush too much toilet paper. Usually, this is a problem that builds over time until eventually the toilet clogs. Although toilet paper is made to dissolve, too much paper down the toilet at once won’t dissolve properly. This leads to a build-up that eventually causes a clogged toilet.
If you experience clogs often, but the blockage is easily cleared with a plunger, this could be the problem. The solution is to encourage members of the household to use less toilet paper during their bathroom visits. Switching to two-ply from three-ply toilet paper can also help.
Sewer Clogs
Some clogs will clear the plumbing of your house only to get stuck in the sewer line. These problems can start in the toilet and lead to larger issues. If you begin to notice that all your drains including toilets, sinks, and tubs throughout the house are either draining slowly or not at all, the problem could be in the pipes between your home and main sewer line. If you suspect this may be the case, call a plumber that provides drain cleaning services.
Tank Issues
Before calling a plumber about constant clogs, check out the water level of the tank. The problem could be simply that there’s not enough water available for every flush. If the toilet is a few years old, and especially if your water has some iron content, there will likely be a watermark where the water should reach when refilling the bowl. If you notice the water level isn’t reaching this line or notice the tank isn’t filling up after a flush, this might be the source of your problems. Make sure the valve on the water line is unblocked and entirely open. Also, if you’re comfortable with a bit of DIY, try adjusting the float level in the tank.
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