Among those domestic irritations that may rapidly become a frustrating mess is a blocked toilet. Dealing with a clogged toilet is never nice, regardless of the slow drain or a full-fledged overflow. But have you ever considered why your toilet first blocks? More importantly, though, how you might resolve it and stop it from resurfacing? This article will explain.
Common Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Blocking
Knowing the cause of the problem can help you to address it early on. Among the most often occurring causes your toilet becomes clogged are these:
1. Flushing the Wrong Items
Human waste and toilet paper are the only items toilets are designed to manage. Many individuals sadly flush objects like these that shouldn’t be thrown down the drain. These things can cause major obstructions over time and do not break down readily, such as:
- Wet towels, even if they say they are “flushable,”
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton balls and swabs
- Paper towels and tissues
- Dental floss
2. Using Too Much Toilet Paper
Although you might have been guilty of occasionally using a touch too much toilet paper, too high quantities can clog the pipes. In big quantities, even premium toilet paper that says it dissolves easily can cause issues.
3. Older or Low-Flow Toilets
Should your house feature an older toilet or a low-flow model, it might not have adequate flushing power to properly clear the waste. This might cause regular clogs over time, particularly if your flushing approach is incorrect.
4. Blocked Plumbing Vents
Vents in your plumbing system let waste flow freely and help control air pressure. Should these vents get blocked by trash, leaves, or even bird nests, they might cause toilet clogs by slowing down the drainage.
5. Hard Water Buildup
If your house uses hard water, mineral deposits can develop inside your pipes, progressively restricting the movement and facilitating trash trapping.
6. Sewer Line Issues
Occasionally the issue transcends your bathroom. Should tree roots, grease accumulation, or other trash cause partial blockage of your sewage line, it may cause frequent toilet clogs and perhaps damage other drains in your house.
How to Fix a Blocked Toilet
Knowing what might be causing the problem currently will help us to discuss some doable solutions for a blocked toilet.
1. Plunger Power
Your first line of protection is a decent old-fashioned plunger. Use a flange plunger, made especially for toilets, to be sure you’re Over the drain hole, position the plunger, press down hard, and then use a forceful up-and-down motion to clear the obstruction.
2. Hot Water and Dish Soap
Pouring dish soap into the toilet bowl mixed with hot, but not boiling, water will help break up grease and eliminate minor obstructions. Wait a few minutes before attempting another flush.
3. The Baking Soda and Vinegar Trick
For moderate clogs, this natural remedy can surprisingly be quite successful. After two cups of vinegar, toss one cup of baking soda into the toilet. Let it bubble, then sit for around thirty minutes; flush with hot water.
4. Toilet Auger (Plumbing Snake)
Often referred to as a plumbing snake, a toilet auger can assist with difficult problems farther down the pipes. Twist it to break apart or extract the blockage once you have it hooked into the drain.
5. Enzyme-Based Drain Cleaners
Choose an enzyme-based cleaner that safely breaks down organic trash rather than strong chemical drain cleansers that can compromise pipes.
6. Call a Plumber
It may be time to bring in an experienced plumber if you have tried everything and your toilet still flushes less than it should. They have specific tools to identify and resolve more major plumbing problems.
How to Prevent Future Toilet Blockages
Avoiding bathroom problems mostly depends on prevention. These suggestions help to maintain a seamless flow:
- Flush Only Waste and Toilet Paper: Remind everyone in your household what can and can’t be flushed.
- Use Less Toilet Paper: If you must use a lot, flush in stages to avoid obstructions.
- Regular Maintenance: Plan regular drain cleaning to remove any accumulation before it causes problems.
- Check for Plumbing Issues: Look for slow drainage or gurgling noises to suggest a developing obstruction.
- Install a Water Softener: A softener can assist stop mineral buildup inside the pipes if you have hard water.
Keeping Your Toilet Clog-Free
Although a blocked toilet is uncomfortable, knowledge of the underlying reasons and how to fix it will save time, money, and irritation. Following the right techniques will help to maintain your toilet free from clogs, regardless of the minor obstruction or indication of a more major plumbing issue.
If you want a clog-free toilet, check Good Hands Plumbing Blocked Toilet Sydney. And keep in mind that maintaining the seamless operation of your bathroom depends much on certain preventative maintenance.
