Why does my toilet keep clogging? The plumbing issues that cause the toilet continues to clog originate from different reasons. Specific issues are easy to fix by making changes in your routine while others need some plumbing troubleshooting DIY and situations that require assistance from a professional to solve.
What’s to Blame When Your Toilet Keeps Clogging?
The frequent clogging of toilets is an indication that something isn’t in order. The problem usually involves the plumbing in your home either your toilet or whatever is going down it. The most common reasons why a toilet is clogged can be:
- You have an older version of a low-flow toilet
- Items that should not be flushed were flushed
- Toilet paper is used too often
- The toilet’s trap is blocked
- The toilet’s vent is blocked
- Clogged sewer line
Our Indianapolis plumbers discuss the typical reasons why toilets keep running back, what you’re in a position to solve the issue, and when you require professional help.
Flushing Wipes, Paper Towels, and Other Non-Flushable Items
There is a widespread misconception that certain items can be flushed into the toilet without any issues. For instance, wipes, including those that advertise in the form of flushable wipes can cause a large number of issues to the plumbing system in your home and are an issue for the larger municipal sewer line system.
Paper towels are another item that appears to be flushable, however, the majority of papers are constructed to withstand tearing even when totally saturated. The physically-based resistance causes them to be hard to tear down and pass through drain pipes.
Disposable products like menstrual pads, disposable cloth napkins, ear-swabs, and hair are commonly used items to flush into the toilet, however, it’s crucial to realize it’s not a trash container. It’s not made to handle these materials and flushing them could result in clogging of the toilet or even further that can cause ongoing problems for the entire plumbing system.
How to Fix It
Clogs caused by foreign objects are usually cleared by pushing the blockage through into your main drain line through plungers with a toilet or by removing or breaking the clog using an auger for the toilet (snake). However, unless your family adopts proper practices, these blockages are likely to occur again.
Make sure that all family members are taught to ensure that they flush only biodegradable substances in the toilet. In each bathroom, place wastebaskets in order to dispose of any incompatible objects.
Older Low Flow Toilets
If your home is outfitted with fixtures that are low-flow, then the toilet may be the reason that your toilet is constantly clogged. Older low-flow toilets lack the pressure required to continuously force the material through the trap or drain. Insufficient pressure for flushing leaves materials behind which leads to continuous obstructions.
What do I accomplish:
The replacement of your old low-flow toilet is the best solution to remove the frequent clogs due to the lack of pressure to flush. However, if replacing isn’t an option limit your use of the toilet paper you are using and the materials you flush to stop clogs from the toilet.
Toilets that have low flow made in the mid-1990s are usually first-generation models and can be prone to this problem. If you have one that is older and low flow, look at modern low-flow toilets, and make improvements to your home to increase the pressure of flushing and decrease the likelihood of toilet clogs. Your plumber will guide you to choose new toilets that are water-efficient and put them in the bathroom.
A Partially-Blocked Toilet Trap
In the base of the porcelain toilet, the outlet opens into the channel, which is specifically designed to keep standing water and keep the odor of sewer line gases from flowing through the bowl of the toilet into the home.
This feature retains a tiny amount of standing water inside the bowl after every flush. The Sor P-shaped part of the bowl made of porcelain connects the toilet with the drain pipes in your home. Most of the time it is possible to recognize the trap that is built into the base of the toilet when taking a look at the sides, from where the contours of the trap are observed.
Blockage in this curving portion of the porcelain base is the most frequently cited cause for toilet obstructions. If there is too much debris driven through the bowl of the toilet the trap is the area where blockage typically happens.
Sometimes, the trap may be partially blocked and the toilet will be able to flush, however, the water drains slower than normal. Clogs that are partially blocked usually cause complete clogs however, anyone who lives in the home will discover when the toilet overflows completely, spilling the water to the floor of the bathroom.
How to Fix It
A plunger in the toilet can make a partial blockage in the trap to pass through the branch drain, and then onward toward the primary drain. If this fails you can try using a toilet auger to push out or break the blockage and transfer it to the drain. If this fails and you’re not sure, you’ll require to get an experienced plumber to remove the obstruction.
Too Much TP
The use of too much toilet paper can be a huge problem when the toilet is constantly clogged. A couple of squares of toilet tissue are sufficient, however, we are all in the habit of using more than that in order to wash up in the bathroom. The more toilet paper you put into your toilet is more likely it is that it will get blocked – even if it’s a material specifically designed to be used in the toilet!
Toilet tissue has been more fashionable in the past few years. Many people enjoy the convenience of multi-ply toilet paper However, if excessive amounts are used the material isn’t getting rid of its full dissolved state in the way it should, and the toilet continues to clog.
Solution
If too much paper usage is the cause that your toilet gets blocked, you should discuss the issue with the members of your family. Encourage everyone to reduce how much toilet paper they consume and flush.
Think about throwing toilet paper away in the nearby trash can instead of throwing it into the toilet. Make sure that children know the amount of toilet paper they will need by placing an easy mark or sticker on the dispenser for toilet paper, at the right length so that they are in a position to measure easily at any time they require.
Change your toilet paper to 1-ply, not multi-ply ones. Fold toilet paper sheets to increase thickness, rather than using multi-ply items or other toilet paper. Don’t roll the toilet paper that you are using to prevent the likelihood of clogging.
Avoid Excessive Use Of TP
The majority of people use eight to nine squares for each flush of toilet paper however 3 to 4 squares are enough. To stop blockages ensure that household members are encouraged to limit their use of toilet paper. When you are potty-training youngsters, it’s important to write down the appropriate distance of paper for toilets on the wall or in the cabinet below the dispenser in order to ensure they make the correct amount every time.
To get the thickness you want to achieve the desired thickness, fold your bathroom paper into sheets. Toilet paper that isn’t folded to be used should be rolled instead of rolled up. This can cause the formation of clogs. Clogs in the toilet can be prevented by being careful about the way you handle your toilet tissue.
Toilet Vent Blockage
The toilets in all of your Cincinnati house are ventilated which permits the air outside to flow into the plumbing system. This helps keep sewer line odors from your living space and increases the pressure of flushing.
The blocked toilet vents because of clogs that are able to pass through the drain of the toilet or obstructions caused by external sources. The blocked toilet vent makes it difficult for a toilet to keep getting blocked. Pressure drops and other issues can occur, such as the smell of sewers as well as gurgling out of the toilet, and poor drainage.
Solution
Since the entrance to the toilet vent is located at the top of the building, obstructions occur at the exterior vent opening. If you are noticing indications of a toilet that is blocked vent and your bathroom continues to get blocked, follow these steps:
- Get to the roof of your home safely and locate your toilet’s vent (a tip that it’s typically located just above the main bathroom of your home).
- Remove the cap which covers the vent’s entry point. Examine the vent for any debris that has been deposited inside, and then get them out whenever you are able to.
- Utilizing your garden hose, spray water toward the exhaust. A powerful flow of water could force the obstruction to the outlet and into the sewer line. If water backs toward the roof, you can tell that the blockage isn’t clear.
- Utilize an auger for toilets (needs to have at minimum 20 feet long) and place it inside the vent. Rotate it until it breaks the blockage.
- Continue to pour water through the vent to remove the blockage. If the water is still leaking then call your plumber for assistance.
Punctured, Damaged, or Restricted Main Sewer Lines
A main line of sewerage that exits the home goes underground before flowing out into the municipal sewer line system, or to a sewer line tank. Because it is located under the soil it is protected from rain, sleet freezing, and snow. but it is also vulnerable to tree roots that could be able to wrap around the pipe and cause a puncture to the pipe.
In the event that the primary sewer line gets compressed or punctured its outlet to the municipal sewer line or septic tank system will be clogged, which could cause toilets as well as various plumbing devices to flow slowly or in some cases, not at all. In addition, dirt, rocks, and other particles can be able to enter the sewer line through punctures, which can cause drainage issues.
Be aware that If this happens there is a good chance that more than one drain or toilet is likely to be having issues.
How to Fix It
If the issue with a major sewer line is caused by infiltration by tree roots, it’s usually possible to get the lines cleared using an auger motorized that cleans within the drainage pipe by using an elastic cable that is fixed to cutting heads. This procedure is best done by a professional with expertise in this type of work, but it’s also possible to lease the equipment for yourself.
But fixing a collapse, puncture and other types of damage to sewer line pipes is always beyond the capabilities of a homeowner who is DIY and may require extensive excavation work. Contact a plumber or sewer line professional to tackle the issue and be ready to get that mainline excavated and repaired. Also, keep your checkbook and credit card in hand; this is the most costly of home sewer line repairs.
Ineffective Low-Flow Toilet
Toilets with a low flow are a great option that can help reduce the consumption of water and reduce the price of water. There are a variety of types of water-saving toilets with dual flush models offering one flush level to flush liquid wastes, as well as a more powerful flush to dispose of solid wastes.
No matter what style, water-saving toilets are susceptible to blockages since the flush uses less water, which is used to push human waste and toilet paper into the trap of the toilet and down the drainpipe. This is particularly true in older models that aren’t as efficient as modern models. Even if the model seems to be in great condition If the toilet is clogged often, there’s a reason to upgrade.
How to Fix It
This problem can be averted by encouraging flushing only tiny amounts of toilet paper or waste at one time. This isn’t ideal but it’s best to change to a low-flow toilet that has a better design that is able to handle the needs. Modern designs, like utilize compressed air to force a tiny amount of water through your bowl, but at greater speed, which makes them as efficient as regular toilets. If you have a toilet that appears to get blocked all the time it is worth the expense.
Clogged Toilet Trap
The majority of homeowners are aware of the sink’s P-trap but did you realize that your toilet is also equipped with a trap? Instead of a P-shaped the trap in the toilet has S-shaped and is located between the bowl of the toilet as well as the drain line. Like a sink’s trap, its purpose for the trap of the toilet is to capture objects to prevent them from moving toward the drain line, causing the clog.
Due to its use, This is a typical location in the fixture where objects are stuck. Waste and toilet paper or other items that are not flushable can become stuck in the trap when flushed. When there is a substantial accumulation of waste in the toilet trap, it continues getting blocked because flushed material tends to be more likely to collect and block.
What do I accomplish:
If you think an obstruction is in the trap of your toilet you can try plunging your toilet to push the obstruction down. Make use of a plunger that has a flange to push water through the trap to remove the obstruction.
If the plunge doesn’t work the toilet auger can be used to remove the blockage. Place the auger inside the drain in the toilet and then move it forward until you encounter resistance. If the resistance is within the toilet’s drain, then a clog in the trap of the toilet is most likely. Turn the auger around to break the blockage material up and grab it and remove the rest of the substance from the toilet drain. If you’re not able to remove the clog you need to contact an experienced plumber to provide the toilet drain cleaning.
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Conclusions
If your toilet is always being blocked and it appears like there’s no other way to deal with it, here’s a list of the most frequently cited reasons to explain why your toilet could continue to clog. The primary reason behind obstructions is when there is too much toilet paper utilized.
Another possible reason could be the non-flushable substances that are flushed down the drain. The most effective way to solve this problem? Use less bathroom tissue! Do not flush items that aren’t flushable and use a flushing toilet.
Additionally, you are able to check the plumbing every year. We hope that you are able to find the reason why your toilet keeps clogging, and what you can do to resolve the problem.
Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging FAQs
Why is toilet clogging repeatedly?
Toilet paper or other items that are not flushable may get stuck in the trap of the toilet after flushing. When there is a substantial amount of waste in the toilet traps, then the toilet will keep slowly clogging because normally flushed waste is more likely to be caught and blocked.
How do you unclog a toilet when a plunger doesn’t work?
If a plunger or plumbing snake isn’t working, water and soap could be the answer. Boil one gallon of water and let it cool for approximately 10 minutes. While you wait, pour a cup of dissolving dish soap into your toilet bowl. Then, put the water in slowly the bowl. Leave it for around 20 minutes prior to flushing.
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