There are numerous reasons that a toilet could be getting clogged, even on a daily basis. This could happen because of how the toilet is used, from problems in the toilet’s mechanics, or perhaps even problems with your water supply. This post will cover several of these reasons your toilet could be clogged and provide some fixes, as well as offer tips to keep your toilet from clogging!
Reasons a Toilet Can Get Clogged Easily
- Low Flow Toilet
Simply put, one reason that a toilet could experience frequent clogging is that too much is being asked of it. This could even mean that too much toilet paper is trying to go down at once, or that non-flushable objects are being sent down. But the problem could be more complicated, however. A clog could indicate that you have a first generation low flow toilet, which means that you have an older toilet. If you see the time stamp in the tank, and it says any date from 1994 to the middle of 1997, then you have a weaker toilet.
- Hard Water Deposits
Sometimes, hard water deposits are to blame. You might see this white buildup on the portholes right under the rim of your toilet. If this appears to be the problem, you can use a wire hanger, or some other sharp implement to carefully scrape this off. Then you will need to pour a solution down the tank’s overflow tube. This solution should be one part muriatic acid to ten parts water. Then after a half hour, you will need to pour the solution again. This should take off those deposits, and your toilet should flush better.
- Blocked Trap
Maybe you need to take care of objects in the trap, that is, the S-shaped trap between your bowl and drain line. The trap is there to keep the drain itself from clogging. The trap can get clogged though if it meets with certain objects, like a kid’s toy, giant wads of toilet paper, or paper towels. A plunger can take care of this problem; with the rubber covering the entire hole, push up and down on the handle.
- Clogged Drain Line
Unfortunately, the problem could lie with the drain line itself, as objects or buildup clog the line. A clog will gradually choke out the water supply to the septic tank or sewage system. You might be able to take care of this clog with a drain opener that has a chemical solution with lye in it. It is even possible though, for other drain lines to cause this problem. For example, your washing machine line could get clogged so badly that the line to your septic tank or sewage system is also affected. You may need to check the other drains around your house just in case.
None of these worked? Perhaps you need to check the water supply line, to make sure that it is entirely open, otherwise, your tank may not be getting enough water. To raise your tank’s water level should only take a few quick steps. First, remove the lid to the toilet tank. If there is a float valve, then you will need a screwdriver. Then attached to the float, there will be a metal or plastic arm. Use the screwdriver at the end of that arm and turn clockwise. The higher you see the ball go up, the higher the water level will be. You may have to try some different adjustments in order to figure out what level is best.
If you have a vertical fill valve in your toilet tank, then there will be a metal bar that goes from the top of the fill valve to the vertical float. On that bar is a retaining spring clip. Squeeze that clip and raise the float as high as possible, then let go of the clip. That will raise the water level as high as it can go.
If you are still unable to resolve the issue with your clogged toilet, you may need a plumber to help. Contact our company to schedule a visit today!
How to Prevent a Clogged Toilet
Once you have a properly working toilet, you can save yourself a future headache and even water damage by following a few simple tips. One of these is to know what you can and cannot flush down the toilet. Never try to flush any of these items:
- Napkins
- Paper towels
- Floss
- Hair
- Feminine products
- Medicine
- Plastic
- Diapers.
While some wipes and products say they are flushable on their packaging, this is only true if that product will crumble in water. This also means kids need to know to not play around with the toilet, to flush their toys down. Also, if you flush more, this could help, as you do not want to flush down a giant wad of toilet paper.
Another thing that can help keep your toilet from clogging is to not place things on top of your toilet tank. Even though this could be a place where soap, rolls of toilet paper, combs, hair accessories, etc. fit conveniently, it can be all too simple to have something fall in before you realize it, creating a clogged toilet when you unwittingly flush it down.
Contact Our Team to Fix Your Toilet Problems!
If you continue to experience problems with your drains or toilet, or if you cannot identify what is wrong with your plumbing, do not hesitate to contact the experts at A-1 Sewer & Septic Service, Inc. No job is too difficult or too small for a Kansas City plumber on our team to handle.
Get a quote when you call our office today!
