Some toilet clogs are simple enough to deal with a plunger and a few tugs. However, not all plumbing issues are so simplistic. In fact, if your home’s toilets clog regularly, it may be a symptom of something worse down the drain. Unless you want to experience a sudden burst or an uncontrollable leak from your pipes, you need to identify the true cause of your clogging issues.
If you’re dealing with frequent toilet clogs at home, these potential plumbing problems may be the source:
1. Blockages Down the Toilet
Flushing toilet paper shouldn’t be that much of an issue, especially if you’re using modern toilets. One-ply toilet papers can be easily flushed down the toilet. Any thicker variant of it can lead to clogs. Additionally, other materials may lead to more problematic results. Listed below are the items you should avoid flushing down the toilet:
- Cotton balls
- Dental floss
- Baby wipes
- Paper towels
- Sanitary napkins
- Tampons
- Cigarette pads
Although you may use these products in the bathroom, that doesn’t mean you should flush them down the drain. Keep this in mind the next time you use these items in your bathroom.
2. Weak Flushing Capacity
In an attempt to contribute to water conservation efforts, toilet manufacturers developed low-flush toilets that use less water for every flush. It was seen as an effective alternative over older designs that used over six gallons of water per flush. While it was a great way to save on water bills at the time, it’s no longer the best model for your home.
If you have a low-flush toilet, you may not be exerting enough pressure to push waste down the drain. To avoid this issue, you might want to get your toilet inspected and upgraded with a practical model that still retains energy-saving features.
3. Poor Water Quality
Even water that comes from your water service doesn’t always have a pure quality. Some service providers have hard water or contain too many minerals like calcium that can leave residue down your pipes. Over time, this buildup can lead to clogs that compromise your plumbing systems.
Although replacing or cleaning your pipes is one solution, installing a water treatment system is better. Doing so will soften your water supply and keep you safe from the hygienic dangers of hard water.
4. Inefficient Toilet Vent Systems
Plumbing systems follow a drain-waste-vent system to take in waste from different drainage fixtures to flush them down to your sewer or septic tank. If your toilet isn’t connected to a vent properly, waste will also fail to flush effectively. This means blockages from other drainage pipes can also lead to your frequent toilet clogs.
5. Complications with Your Sewer or Septic Tank Line
If you can’t detect any of the problems above, you may have a much deeper issue on your hands. Major plumbing issues usually happen within your sewer or septic tank line. Even if you repair or replace your toilet’s components, you’ll still have clogging issues if you don’t get to the bottom of this kind of problem.
Conclusion
Identifying your toilet’s concerns isn’t always easy, but there are signs that point to what your plumbing issues are. However, even if you recognize your recurring clogs’ cause, that doesn’t mean it will always be an easy fix. This is why it’s best to work with a reliable plumber to assess and treat your toilet’s condition.
If you want to avoid future problems with your toilets, you need a professional to treat them with the right repairs. Professor Plumb is a plumbing company in Columbiana, AL with over 20 years of industry experience. Call us today at (205) 671-5049 for all your plumbing needs!