Common Causes Of Toilet Clogs

Toilet clogs are one of the most common issues with plumbing in households. They can begin to happen as your plumbing ages and your pipes deteriorate. Putting foreign objects into your toilet can also cause major clogs or pipe deterioration. While some causes of toilet clogs can be easily addressed by the homeowners, others will need to be remedied by a professional plumber. Seeking professional help will reduce wear on the pipes and reduce frequent clogs. Below are some of the most common causes of toilet clogs and how to remedy them. 

1- Excessive Toilet Paper Use

Using too much toilet paper can actually put more wear on your pipes and cause toilet clogs. Toilet paper is meant to be flushed down your toilet, but an excessive amount can be too much for the small drain to handle. Large amounts all at once will take longer to break down in the sewer system, causing waste and paper to back up in the toilet bowl. 

Educating all members of the household about using less paper will limit the causes of toilet clogs. If there is a frequent issue, you could switch to a thinner brand to limit strain on your system.  

2- Flushing Non-Flushable Items

There are very specific items that should be flushed down the toilet, so any items that don’t fit in this category will cause clogs. Some small items may make their way down the drain but could become lodged farther in the system and cause pipe bursts or major sewage backups in all of your drains. 

Some of these clogs can be solved by just removing the foreign item from the toilet, but others will need to be handled by a professional. The pipes may need to be removed and replaced to remove the toy or other objects. 

3- Hard Water Buildup

Minerals from water can accumulate along pipes and toilet bowls and narrow the passage that waste has to travel through. Mineral buildup of hard water can cause slow flushing, increase the frequency of clogs, and slow down the efficiency of your toilet. 

Regular cleaning and descaling treatments will help remove hard water from your pipes. These treatments should be done by a professional plumber to lower the risk of further damage to your pipes. 

4- Aged Or Deteriorating Pipes

Another cause of toilet clogs is older plumbing. Older homes could have cracked pipes or an overloaded system. Older systems with hard water buildup or that haven’t been cleaned regularly will be more prone to toilet clogs. Hiring a plumber to assess the state of your system will give you a clear look into whether you need pipe replacement or not. 

Using a camera, plumbers will look at your system and present a long-term solution to help remedy frequent clogs. Some solutions could include pipe relining or replacement to help improve the flow after flushing. 

5- Clogged Plumbing Vents

Every toilet has a plumbing vent, which is typically located on the roof to let out gases and maintain air pressure in the toilet. The vents can become clogged with outside debris like leaves, bird nests, and dirt. Clearing out the plumbing vent will help limit frequent clogs that are caused by air bubbles. A plumber can help clear out the vent with professional tools and get your toilet back in better working condition. 

6- Broken Flapper

Your toilet flapper is an important part of your toilet that allows water to flow from between the tank and the toilet bowl. This component is what creates the flush and pushes the water and waste through the drains. When you have a weak flush, larger clogs are more likely to occur. 

Professional Remedies For Toilet Clogs

Our plumbers at Drain X are trained in all types of toilet issues. We can use modern tools and techniques to remedy any plumbing problem you may be experiencing. While the first step is preventing clogs in the first place, once a major problem occurs, you should call in a professional. 

Clogs that are not handled in the right way could become worse and damage more sections of your plumbing system. In order to avoid costly repairs or digging up your yard, call a professional quickly. Drain X is available 24/7 to help remedy emergencies when you need them most.