Toilets are finicky appliances. Even small obstructions can cause them to become clogged. While a clog here and there is nothing to be concerned about, frequent clogs are another story. Frequent clogging is a sign of a problem that may have a pretty serious root cause. You can attempt to solve this problem yourself or you can call for a plumber.
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To learn more about why your toilet keeps clogging, read on.
Larger Clog in The Piping
Sometimes clogs aren’t bad enough for a toilet to completely back up. Clogs may let enough water and waste through to keep flushing, but eventually even that won’t get through. Large clogs may be caused by toys, feminine products, paper products and more. First, and seriously listen to this: only flush waste and toilet paper down the toilet. Here is what to avoid flushing down the toilet:- Baby wipes
- Feminine products
- Q-tips and cotton balls
- Diapers
- Floss
- Paper towels and tissues
- Cat litter
- Medication
- Hair
- Food
Using the Wrong Toilet Paper
Did you know that it’s possible to use the wrong toilet paper? Or to use too much toilet paper? Although 2-ply toilet paper is more comfortable, sometimes it doesn’t dissolve quickly enough and turns into a big clog. You may also be using too much toilet paper. It may seem silly to try to limit the amount of toilet paper you use, but it could help to reduce or eliminate frequent clogging. Try to limit your toilet paper use to three to four squares. This will keep clogs to a minimum and make your plumbing system more efficient.Clogged Toilet Trap
You’ve probably heard of the P-trap underneath your sink, but have you heard of a toilet trap? It’s shaped like an ‘S’ and keeps anything that may cause clogs away from the rest of the piping. The toilet trap is located between the toilet bowl and drain line. If items become lodged in the bottom of the ‘S’ trap, a clog can occur. In this situation, the best thing that you can do is plunge your toilet. Remember to create a seal with the lip of the plunger and push straight into the toilet. If the plunger doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to call for a plumber.Water is Too Hard
Hard water is extremely frustrating to deal with. It can taste bad, cause hard water deposits and—this one may surprise you—can clog toilets. The minerals in hard water can create deposits on jets that are meant to flush water down the drain. As the deposits build, the jets become weaker and weaker. Low flush power can result in frequent clogs. To fix this problem, you’ll have to call a plumber for water softening products. You can also attempt to soften the water yourself, however professionals will know exactly what needs to be done.Old Low Flow Toilet
Older, low flow toilets may save on water expenses, but are not as great for preventing clogs. These toilets use lower pressure for moving waste through the piping. If the pressure is too low, it won’t have enough power to move waste buildup or small clogs. The best thing that you can do to fix this problem is to replace your toilet. You can replace your old toilet with another low flow toilet, but ideally you upgrade to one with higher power. This way, you can avoid a similar problem.Blocked Toilet Vent
Did you know that toilets are connected to a vent that allows fresh air in to increase flushing pressure? If the vent becomes blocked, your toilet will become clogged. These can become clogged from birds nests, animal carcasses, branches, debris and other foreign objects. There are a few ways to tell if your vent is clogged:- Toilet flushes on its own
- Frequent clogs
- Strong smells of sewage
- Gurgling toilet
- Slow draining sink and bathtub
