As a homeowner, you’ll likely find yourself dealing with a ton of plumbing issues. The most embarrassing of them all, however, are toilet mishaps. You may constantly be dealing with an inadvertently clogged toilet, or perhaps one that seemingly clogged on its own. Unlike leaky or bursting pipes, however, dealing with a faulty toilet can be tricky.
The truth is, a clogged toilet could be the cause of many issues. Fortunately, most clogs can be avoided with precaution, and other problems can be cleared up with a little hard work and patience.
To learn more about the ever-elusive nature of toilet clogs, here are some of the most common reasons why a clog may be present:
Reason #1: Someone may have flushed non-flushable items
Your toilet has been designed to only take specific forms of waste. While your toilet paper is admissible, keep in mind that it is highly soluble. Anything else could potentially lead to problems, the most pressing of which can be a clog.
Paper towels and disposable tissues aren’t toilet-friendly, and can easily clog your toilet and sewage systems. Wet wipes, floss, cotton balls, diapers, and other sanitary products can also cause serious damage, as water cannot break them down. It may be best to just keep a trash can nearby, but if you have children check your toilet’s state every now and then—a random toy car may be the culprit to that clogged toilet!
Reason #2: There may be something wrong with your main water supply
If you’ve ruled out insoluble items as the main problem, you may be dealing with a faulty water supply. A damaged water line could mean that your toilet tank isn’t getting enough water for a full flush, which could then be the reason why it’s always clogged—the things you try to flush may not get fully flushed.
While fixing the waterline by yourself isn’t feasible, it’s possible to raise your toilet tank’s water level. As soon as the water reaches a certain level, then the inflow of water in the tank stops—goodbye, toilet clog!
Reason #3: Your toilet needs replacement
While the latest toilets are designed with fancy features to accommodate various needs, early versions of the toilet lack the necessary finesse. Without much pressure to support their functions, they easily get clogged.
To know if the main culprit of your clogged toilet is its age, look at the back for any stamped date. Any models made in the 1990s means it operates in a low-flow design. While replacement may soon be necessary, try to see if eliminating flushing toilet paper can help. If it doesn’t, a toilet replacement is in order.
The Bottom Line
The toilet is your home’s throne—it sees a ton of traffic, ensuring that your daily needs are met. Due to frequent use, it’s also subject to repair and maintenance. Clogs may also be a frequent problem, and knowing the reasons behind them and how to fix it can make your home life easier—just keep the aforementioned data in mind!
While a toilet clog is hardly the end of the world, it can lead to stressful situations.
If you need plumbers in the Charlotte, NC area, we’re always ready to help. For now, though, it’s best to arm yourself with enough knowledge about plumbing. Having tips and tricks up your sleeve can save you much time and money, so browse through our guides today!
