Efficient plumbing is a vital part of maintaining a happy and healthy home. One common problem that plagues homeowners is a clogged toilet, and as there are several ways a toilet can become blocked, it can be difficult to narrow down the issue
If you’ve ever had a clogged toilet, you’ll be well aware of how bothersome it can be, both as a day-to-day annoyance and as a more severe problem if it overflows and floods your bathroom. If an overflow ruins your floor or carpet, not only will it cost you money, but it will also result in a disgusting mess — we don’t have to draw you a diagram showing you how.
In this post, we’ll highlight the various ways a toilet can become clogged and what you can do to fix it.
Overuse of Toilet Paper
One of the most common causes of a clogged toilet is a pipe being jammed up by toilet paper. While in many cases this happens when kids (or adults) decide that it’s a good idea to force lots of toilet paper down the drainage pipe, it also occurs if you overuse paper when you go to the toilet. If you regularly have a clogged toilet, it may well be due to an overuse of toilet paper, so try using less and see if the issues continue.
Insufficient Water Flow
For your toilet to dispatch waste and toilet paper efficiently, it’s crucial for your home plumbing to provide the necessary water flow. Without it, your toilet will not only struggle to shift waste from the bowl, but you’ll also find that it doesn’t have the power to flush the waste all the way down the drainage pipe. If you suspect that insufficient water flow is the key to your clogged toilet problem, it’s a good idea to hire a plumber, as this could be happening for several reasons and they’ll be able to get to the bottom of it.
Foreign Objects Flushed down the Toilet
This one is a classic, especially if you have toddlers! From time to time, and for one reason or another, random objects (often kids’ toys) can find their way down your toilet and become stuck. While they may eventually become dislodged after multiple flushes, in the meantime, the object will prevent anything from successfully navigating down your drainage pipe — which will, of course, lead to a clogged toilet.
Your first step should be to try to dislodge the object yourself, which, with a bit of luck, can be achieved by putting on some rubber gloves and putting your hand down the toilet. Failing this, a plumber will be able to dislodge the object using a plumber’s snake, which allows them to reach further into the pipe.
Buildup of Human Waste
The purpose of a toilet is to dispose of human waste, so naturally, it will be used every day. Over time, you may experience a blocked drainage pipe, and while gravity will give you a helping hand to release any blockages, your best bet is to grab a plunger and get to work. Had no luck with your plunger? No worries — one of our plumbers will be able to diagnose the problem and clear the pipe.
Not Enough Water for a Good Flush
When it comes to your home plumbing, the key isn’t just reliability and a good flow. It’s also vital to ensure that you’re actually getting enough water to carry out certain tasks efficiently. Your toilet is a perfect example, as you not only need enough water in the bowl to initially break down waste, but you also need plenty of water for a powerful flush. Without it, you’ll find it difficult to dispose of larger and denser waste successfully.
One of the most common reasons for this is a damaged fill tube (the flexible hose attached to the overflow pipe). Lift up the tank lid and see if the tube has moved out of place or is damaged. If it’s still in good condition, you can put it back into place, but if not, you should get in touch with a plumber. Another potential culprit is a damaged fill valve, for which you can get a replacement at any decent hardware shop.
Have you tried to fix your clogged toilet and need professional assistance? We can help!
