At some point, most home toilets clog. Someone might have stuffed too much paper into the bowl, thereby leading to a clog. However, a toilet should not regularly clog. If your toilet constantly clogs up, identifying the issue is important so that the problem can be resolved. Hire an expert to take care of the work for you. Consider some of the reasons why your toilet might be clogging so that you can provide the professional with as much detail as possible.
Too Much Paper at Once
One of the most common causes of a clog is trying to flush too much toilet paper down the bowl at once. If you’re sure that you’re careful when using toilet paper, have a conversation with the other members of your household. You might find that the kids have been stuffing too much paper down the bowl. Putting up reminder signs in the bathroom can help your family members to remember the appropriate amount of paper to use.
Kids Playing
When children are young, they might not realize what exactly the toilet is supposed to be used for. In fact, they might take small objects, such as coins or hair ties, from around the house and flush these objects down the toilet. Some children may also become intrigued by the toilet and want to flush the unit over and over again. This extra stress on the system can cause clogs.
Poor Quality Toilet Paper
While loading up on cheap toilet paper probably feels pretty good for your budget, this decision could be leading to frequent clogs in the bowl. If you’ve recently switched to a different brand of toilet paper and the clogs started shortly after the change, you may have identified the issue. Select a trusted brand of toilet paper.
High Quality Toilet Paper
On the other hand, if you’re opting for the most luxurious toilet paper on the market, you might also be causing a problem for the toilets. Keep in mind that while thick toilet paper might make you feel regal, these products can lead to clogs in the bowl. Going back to the basics can be the right move on your next shopping trip for toilet paper.
Wrong Toilet Paper
You could also be using the wrong type of toilet paper for your home’s plumbing system. For example, if your home has a septic system, you typically need to use one-ply or two-ply toilet paper. In the event that you’re unsure what type of plumbing system your home has and which type of toilet paper is the best to use, speak with a qualified plumber.
Incorrect Cleaning Products
Cleaning the toilet on a regular basis is a necessity, but you must make sure that you’re using the correct products. Check that the products that you are using are safe for your specific type of toilet. For example, proceed with caution when attempting to use a drain cleaner for a home toilet. Speak with your plumber to find out if the product is appropriate.
Flushing Inappropriate Items
Ultimately, in most cases, the only item that you should be flushing down a toilet is toilet paper. Some baby wipes and feminine hygiene products might have labels stating that the items are flushable. However, many plumbers would advise against flushing these products. If you’ve been flushing baby wipes or feminine hygiene products, stop doing so. Use the garbage to dispose of these items instead. You should never flush other items either, such as diapers, paper towels, and tissues.
Clogged Sinks, Showers, or Tubs
A clogged sink, shower, or tub could actually affect your toilet bowl’s ability to flush. The different parts of a plumbing system are connected. In the event that the system gets backed up by a clogged sink, shower, or tub, your toilet bowl might also clog. A simple move, such as cleaning the hair out of the shower drain, might resolve the issue with your toilet.
Blocked Vent
A blocked vent outside of your home could also be the cause of a clogged toilet. For example, the vent might be blocked by leaves or garbage. In some cases, you may simply need to clean the exterior area to resolve the issue. In other situations, the blockage might go deeper than the surface level and require the work of a professional for thorough cleaning.
Clogged Main Line
The main line could also be clogged, which requires the assistance of an experienced plumber for resolution. If the main line is clogged, you will likely notice issues throughout the house. In other words, with the main line clogged, it would be unusual for only one toilet to be getting clogged.
Over Usage
While toilet bowls are supposed to be able to handle regular household usage, the unit might get clogged if it is used more frequently on a particular day or during a certain week. For example, you might have relatives who stay with you for a week during the winter holidays. The extra usage of the toilet could lead to clogs. After a party when your kids have all of their friends over, the toilet might clog. When more people are using the toilet, there are also additional opportunities for inappropriate items to end up in the pipes.
Old Toilet
Even a high-quality toilet that is built for usage and durability is going to wear down over time. If you’ve had the same toilet in your house for decades and can’t remember the last time the bowl was replaced, you might be in need of a new one. You might have an old low-flow toilet in the house, which is leading to the issues.
Old Pipes
The pipes in the house or building could also be old, which can lead to frequently clogged toilets. Replacing all of the pipes in a house or building can be expensive. Keep in mind, however, that you don’t necessarily need to complete the entire project at once. You could speak with the plumber about replacing some of the pipes now and saving the rest of the project for later.
Misuse in Other Units
If you live in a multi-family dwelling, such as a two-family house or an apartment building, the actions of your neighbors could affect your bathroom. In other words, neighbors who are clogging their toilets with inappropriate products or with too much paper could be causing issues in your bathroom. Speak with your landlord about the most appropriate way to resolve this problem.
When you’re experiencing problems with frequent clogs in your home, Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter, located in San Jose, is here to help. In addition to resolving clogs in your home’s toilet bowls, our professionals can also install and repair water heaters, clean the drains, work on plumbing fixtures, and provide hydro jetting services. We offer both regular and emergency services throughout San Jose and the Silicon Valley. Customers can select from water, sewer, and gas services. Explore our website for more information on our products and services, or contact Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter to schedule an appointment today!
