There are numerous reasons that a toilet clog could be occurring, even on a daily basis.
This could happen because of how the toilet is used, from problems in the toilet’s mechanics, toilet drain, sewer lines or main sewer line issues, or perhaps even problems with your water supply, water pressure or plumbing vents. There are some DIY solutions that are implemented like chemical drain cleaners, however those are almost always inferior to an auger – chemical drain cleaners will have no impact on tree roots or other large blockages in drain pipes. This post will cover several of these reasons a homeowner’s toilet could be clogged and provide some fixes, as well as offer plumbing tips to keep your toilet from clogging!
Common Causes for a Clogged Toilet
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 baby wipes, feminine hygiene products like tampons, paper towels or other non-flushable objects are being sent down, causing the blockages. But the problem could be more complicated, however. A toilet bowl 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 in the plumbing system 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 and not slow drain, and hopefully not need a toilet plunger.
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. Toilets can accept larger particles than kitchen sinks because the diameter of the sewer lines in the septic system. 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, cotton swabs or paper towels. A DIY solution would be a plunger that can take care of this problem; with the rubber covering the entire hole, push up and down on the handle.
Clogged Drain Lineclogged
Unfortunately, the plumbing issue 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
We have all seen the commercials of the small child dropping the car keys, cell phone, or toy into the toilet, hitting the lever, and—whoosh—flushing it, down they go. While the commercial may be cute, clogged toilets are not. Even adults put things in the toilet that they shouldn’t. You will be amazed at some of the things you have been flushing that should never, ever be flushed down the toilet.
Six Things to Never, Ever Flush
- Dental floss– It’s not biodegradable and can make small clogs bigger.
- Facial tissues/Paper Towels– They may feel like toilet paper but they are designed to stay together, when wet, and not dissolve.
- Cotton balls, cotton swabs and ear swabs/q-tips– These do not break down very easily and can cause toilet drain clogs.
- Hair– This will clog toilets, as well, just as it clogs sinks and drains in the shower and cause blockages.
- Tampons and Pads– Even if they say they are flushable—don’t. They are designed to absorb moisture, and they expand when wet, which will include human waste.
- Prescription Medications– It might seem like an easy method to dispose of these, but they have toxic effects on the groundwater.
Contact Our Team For All of Your Plumbing Problems!
Don’t confuse your toilet for your trash can. It’s made for a specific purpose, and your best is to use it to dispose of only the things meant to go in it. Mistakes happen, and, when they do, A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. is here to help. We offer affordable plumbing, drain cleaning, and pumping services in Kansas. We are a local family-owned-and-operated plumbing company, and we are ready to help with your plumbing needs. Call us today at 913-245-2022.
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 professional plumbers 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.
