Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?
The last thing you want is sitting on a cold toilet while trying to pee and having your waterlogged piece of hardware clog up. So what can you do when this happens? It’s a good idea to check out these five common reasons why your toilet keeps clogging and take action accordingly.
It could be a nasty toilet.
It could be a lousy toilet if you’re having trouble with your bathroom. Toilets can be made of different materials, each with pros and cons.
Plastic toilets are the most affordable, but they may not last as long as other materials. Unlike ceramic, porcelain, or brass bowls, the interior of plastic bowls is not smooth, This results in “dirt caking,” which makes it more difficult for water to enter the bowl. As a result, they also tend to clog more quickly.
Ceramic: Ceramic toilets are durable and easy to clean. They have no rough edges on their inside surfaces (which tends to trap dirt). However, these types of toilets cost more than other types since they’re not very common compared to plastic or porcelain ones in homes today. So if you want something that lasts longer than three years, go with ceramic instead!
Roots could be blocking the plumbing.
If you have a tree in your yard, roots can grow into the sewer line. This can cause clogs and backups of sewage.
If your toilet is clogged because of tree roots, it’s best to do several things:
- Keep an eye on what happens during the season when trees are flowering or dropping their leaves. You can also use Google Maps to see if there is any activity near where you live that someone else has recently done (like construction). If so, try to find out who did it and why so you know how much damage they did (or preventative measures could be taken).
- Use a root-killer product that helps prevent future problems with drainage from pipes and drains around your house/building, like those used for washing machines and dishwashers. These products contain chemicals that help kill off any new growth over time but might not be needed every year depending on whether or not there were any issues with previous seasons’ change.
Something’s clogging your pipes.
If your toilet is constantly clogged, it’s important to check the pipes quickly. It would be best if you looking for hair, dental floss, and paper towels in your lines. These items can trap water and cause blockages that will cost you money to fix.
You may also be able to prevent future problems by keeping feminine hygiene products out of the toilet bowl. By storing them in a trash can or old shoebox instead of tossing them down before flushing.
Water may be entering the wrong place in the toilet bowl.
Water can enter the toilet bowl at any point during your flush. If you’re having trouble with clogging, check the water level in your tank and make sure it’s not low. You may have a leaky flapper or something similar that needs fixing.
Keeping your water pressure high to prevent particles from accumulating along its borders is the best approach to avoid blockage. Consider installing a system that keeps these components entirely out of your home’s plumbing system if you live somewhere without nearby lakes or rivers. Doing so will stop silt from getting into drains and will stop corrosion in the pipes themselves.
You’re flushing too much.
The most common reason for clogs in toilets is the amount of water you’re flushing. If your bathroom isn’t used regularly and has been sitting unused for a long time, it will begin to collect sediment from urine and other sources that can cause blockages. To reduce the chance of this happening:
- Use a plunger or auger to clear any clogs that may have formed over time (you can also use these tools on sinks).
- Try using less water than usual when filling the tank (this will help prevent calcium buildup).
Flushable wipes (or flushable diapers) aren’t flushable.
Flushable wipes are not the same as toilet paper. They’re made of different materials, making them harder to break down and flush. Wipes do not break down quickly enough to be washed as toilet paper does, so they can clog your pipes and cause problems with your septic system.
If you use flushable wipes, throw them in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet!
You have a leaky flapper.
The rubber disk that connects your toilet’s flush valve to the bottom of the tank is known as the flapper. If the flapper is leaking or damaged, your toilet may not always fill with water.
You only need to remove the access panels on either side of your toilet tank if it’s happening to you. Remove any protective caps from around them before removing each screw holding down one side of the panel. Once no screws are left keeping it in place, remove it away from its resting place. Replace the old protective coverings with new ones that can be bought online or at a nearby hardware store.
It’s time to change out that wax ring.
A wax ring is a cylindrical metal ring that holds the seal between your toilet and tank. It keeps water from seeping through, which helps prevent clogs. If you have a porcelain or plastic bowl, it should be replaced every two years. If you have an old-style metal toilet with no lid, replace it every five years.
However, if your wax ring has become complicated and brittle over time and no longer be able to keep water out of your toilet tank. This could cause problems when flushing again! Luckily there are easy ways to fix this problem. First, try using a hair dryer on low heat for ten minutes straight. This will ensure that any buildup inside is warmed up sufficiently for later removal by hand when removing existing debris from interior walls. Don’t forget to clear off any surfaces as well!
Keep Your Toilet Safe and Clean
It’s essential to keep your toilet clean, but it can be frustrating when the clog is in a place where you can’t get at it. Here are some tips for keeping your toilet safe and clean:
- Don’t flush anything that doesn’t dissolve, like paper towels or coffee grounds.
- Don’t flush used wipes (even if they’re unscented!). These items contain bacteria that could affect other parts of your plumbing system. If you need to use them again, throw them away!
- Also, avoid feminine flushing products such as tampons or pads; even if they’re flushed down properly, these substances may not break down completely—and they’re also dangerous for us humans if left in our pipes after being flushed away into sewer systems where they could cause problems down the line by spreading disease among residents who live nearby – so please do not try this at home!
If your toilet is clogged up, it could be a nasty toilet. If the problem persists despite trying to fix it yourself, you should call a plumber and get help from someone who knows what they are doing.