11 Dec How To Avoid And Fix A Clogged Toilet
How To Avoid a Clogged Toilet In Your Home
Few plumbing issues prove more bothersome to a residence or business than a clogged toilet. Such issues inhibit the ability to rid the structure of waste. Furthermore, if not properly addressed, such circumstances could further strain piping or sewer lines and cause potentially harmful and expensive damages or backups.
Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?
Numerous physical, environmental, and structural concerns could precipitate a clogged toilet, including:
Not Enough Water In The Tank
An appreciable supply of water is needed to process waste products and other items like toilet paper. Limited concentrations of water render this task difficult and may lead to clogging.
The Materials Being Flushed
Certain materials are too thick or tart for a toilet to process. Toilet paper is ideal because it is thick and typically breaks apart when making contact with water or during the flushing process.
However, products like wipes, tissues, and paper toweling are thicker and more resistant to water. Moreover, foreign objects should inhibit flushing or cause obstructions. Additionally, thick liquids like grease also impede the discarding procedure.
Aging Or Tiring Pipes
Old or deteriorating pipes in toilet drains could become clogged or possess a diminished capacity to process waste products.
Clogged Waste Lines
Occasionally, a clogged waste line located somewhere along a home or building’s waste processing network might experience obstructions. Such events could precipitate the development of toilet plugs.
Hard Water
Hard water occurs when various chemical sediments collect and harden. These accumulations often settle inside pipes. When such formations grow large enough, they can obstruct normal water flow and yield jams.
Low Flush Toilets
Industry professionals claim clogging occurs in apparatuses known as low flush toilets. These inventions were first lauded because of their water conservation abilities.
However, plumbing contractors maintain that these bathroom fixtures can create low water pressure and fail to possess enough power to complete the flushing process adequately.
A Failing Septic System
Occasionally, slow-processing or aging septic systems fail to shepherd waste quickly. Said occurrence could result in sewage backups and toilet obstructions.
Exterior Issues
Once in a while, piping or networks located outside a residence or business might encounter water processing difficulties that ultimately impact adjacent properties.
How To Fix A Clogged Toilet?
The easiest and most direct method of addressing a congested toilet is to retain an experienced, professional plumbing contractor who can investigate, diagnose, and remediate the underlying cause.
However, in some instances, simple fixes might ease or eliminate the problem. Such efforts include:
A Plunger
This simple tool comprised of a large rubber stopper connected to an elongated wooden handle has been resolving relatively simple clogs since time immemorial. Home or property owners can force the tool into the toilet and push until the logjam of waste dissipates.
Warm Water
Some home improvement professionals maintain that placing hot water down a stopped up toilet could prove useful. Said individuals recommend performing said action and waiting several minutes. If the blockage ebbs, efforts have been successful.
Dish Soap
Occasionally, the application of dish soap alleviates toilet clogging. When mixed with warm water, dish soap’s lubricant qualities may be enough to break up existing congestion.
Coat Hangars
Another potential clogged toilet fix is a coat hanger. This thin, metal object can be bent to mimic a plumbing snake tool’s appearance, reach deep into the toilet drain, and possibly knock out any existing stoppage.
Store-Bought Products
For simple clogs, standard store purchased products used as directed could produce fast and favorable3 results.
Homemade Concoctions
Home improvement and plumbing professionals have found success in ebbing toilet plugs using a combination of baking soda and vinegar. When conjoined, these two substances set off a potent chemical reaction that has proven efficient in addressing mild to moderate blockages.
Preventative Methods
Toilet clogging is not entirely unavoidable. The circumstance will occur now and then. However, by adhering to the following preventative tips, repeated incidents might be avoided:
Monitor The Materials Flushed
In reality, the only materials entering a toilet bowl should be human waste products and toilet paper. Any heavier paper products, foreign objects, and liquids like grease should never be tossed into a toilet’s drain.
Flush Twice
Specific toilets are unable to process larger concentrations of waste in one flush. Therefore, plumbing professionals implore home and business owners to demonstrate patience and flush a second time when circumstances warrant.
Limit Toilet Paper Usage
Although toilets are typically capable of processing moderate amounts of toilet paper, users should not go overboard. Toilet drains are finite spaces only capable of filtering so much at once. Dumping excessive quantities of even toilet paper could precipitate completely unnecessary stoppages.
Keep The Lid Closed
Uninformed subjects might dismiss this as hogwash. However, said the strategy could prove effective in preventing potential problems. This is especially true of households with young children who might stuff small objects like toys down toilets.
Contacting Us
Suppose the preceding remedies and preventative measures do not resolve toilet clogs. In that case, residential or commercial property owners are encouraged to contact the experienced and skilled professionals employed by Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Our work is 100 percent guaranteed, and we strive to provide optimal service to all of our customers.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Tyler serves the East Texas cities of Kilgore, Longview, Tyler, and Whitehouse with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (903) 730-6611 to schedule an appointment!