5 Common Reasons Why You Have A Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet can be an embarrassing nightmare. It can be hard to fix because there are a variety of different reasons as to why the toilet is clogged. While it can be a pain to alleviate any issues, a clogged toilet is relatively easy to prevent and easy to clear up. For more difficult situations, it’s always recommended to call your friendly, local plumber for help.
Here are a few reasons why you may have a clogged toilet:
You or someone in your household flushed something that they shouldn’t have
Toilets are meant for human waste and toilet paper, nothing more. Yet many people find themselves with a clogged toilet because they flush down tissues, cotton balls, cotton swabs, dental floss, feminine products, or diapers. Unlike TP, these items don’t break down in the drain line. Keep a small garbage can near your toilet and encourage household members and guests to use it.
A jam in the trap
Drain pipes have a trap – a u-shaped bend in the pipe that remains filled with water. The water acts as a barrier against foul odors that otherwise could make their way into your home from the sewer line. The trap is great at protecting your home from unwanted smells but it also creates the perfect place for a clog to develop (even just toilet paper).
Wonky Flapper
If you remove the lid of your toilet, there should be a visible round rubber gasket at the bottom. This is the flapper. It opens when you flush your toilet to let the water in the tank flush down into the toilet bowl. If the flapper doesn’t open entirely, you’ll notice a weaker flush. This can cause clogs by failing to push the contents of the bowl down far enough into the drain pipe. Fortunately, this is an easy fix. The flapper should be attached to the flush arm with a chain. Shorten the chain by a few links to alleviate this type of clogged toilet.
A Needed Upgrade
Low-flow toilets have been around for quite some time, now. But the older versions weren’t as powerful and efficient as modern models. Just like with the flapper, older low-flow toilets may not flush hard enough to push contents down. If you have one of these toilets, it’s time to consider an upgrade if you don’t want to deal with a clogged toilet.
Blocked Toilet Vent
If your toilet won’t flush, the clog may not be in the drain pipe. Instead the source of your clogged toilet may be in the toilet vent. This vent is located in your roof, to allow fresh air to enter the plumbing system. It replaces the vacuum of air created when water drains. If this vent gets clogged up with leaves or outside debris, your drain may stop. To fix this, you’ll need to clean the vent out from the rooftop opening.
A clogged toilet isn’t the end of the world but it can be a major inconvenience. If you’re unsure of the cause or don’t know how to clear it on your own, call A-Abel plumbing to help get the job done!
