A consistent clog in the toilet is a sure sign you’re having a problem with your home’s plumbing. Several issues could be at hand. The Mesa & Queen Creek plumbers of Angry Pipe Solutions break down the top reasons we see consistent clogging and share some solutions to hopefully get you unclogged.
Top Reason Your Toilet Keeps Clogging?
When your toilet clogs over and over, it’s a sure-fire sign that something is not right. You’re generally looking at a problem with your pipes, toilet, or what someone (generally a child) flushed down the toilet. Common causes of frequent clogging include:
- Excessive toilet paper use
- Unflushable items
- Older Low Flow Toilets
- Clogged sewage line
Our Mesa plumbing team breaks down these common reasons, how you may be able to remedy the issues on your own, and when you need to call us to come and help you.
Older Low Flow Toilets
The early models of low-flow toilets often lacked the pressure to consistently push waste through the trap and drain of your toilet. Poor flushing pressure can leave waste behind which results in frequent toilet clogs.
How to fix:
Replace your older low-flow toilets with newer models. The original low-flow toilets of the mid and late 90’s just don’t cut it when it comes to waste removal.
Non-flushable Items
We’ve covered this before, but we will cover it again here. The only things that should go down your toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Anything other than that is bound to cause problems.
We realize many wipes are marketed as flushable. Unfortunately, that simply not the case. So-called flushable wipes do not break down in the water the way toilet paper does and often create issues.
How to fix:
If a clog forms due to improper items in the drain, use a flanged plunger to dislodge the clog. If this does not work, use a toilet auger to break up material and clear the drain.
You can try using a toilet plunger to get the material through trap and drain. If this doesn’t work- you’ll probably need to give us a call to break up the material with a toilet auger.
The best way to solve this problem is to prevent it altogether. Talk to your family about what they can and can’t flush. Remind them, things like q-tips, food and toys do not belong in the pot.
Excessive TP Use
Obviously toilet paper is made to be flushed. However, when too much toilet paper is used, it can stick to the toilet and drain pipes causing a clog.
Some of the thicker two-ply toilet paper is a known culprit of not breaking down as fast as the single ply toilet paper. When using a two ply toilet paper with an older toilet, we recommend using less than you normally would.
What to do:
Try to lime the amount of toilet paper you use to 8-9 plys. When you’re using plush, thick toilet paper, use only what you absolutely need.
Clogged Sewer Line
Some clogs are able to fully exit your plumbing fixtures and individual drain lines, but become trapped in the home’s main sewer line. Clogs in the sewer line cause problems with drainage across the entire home, and are difficult to correct on your own.
Sometimes, sewer lines become clogged due to outside sources, such as tree root penetrations, sewer line breaks, and sewer line infiltrations. These issues make it so your toilet keeps clogging, as they impact drainage and your plumbing system’s ability to move waste out of your home. Sewer line repairs are needed if this problem is present.
How to fix:
Unfortunately, sewer line clogs must be corrected by a plumber. Ignoring sewer line clogs means your toilet keeps clogging and eventually, more damage is done to your home’s plumbing system. If you suspect a sewer line clog, you need to call a plumber to schedule drain cleaning services.
Prevent Toilet Clogs with Angry Pipe Plumbing Solutions
If you are experiencing frequent clogging and you’re unable to identify the issue or fix the problem yourself, our licensed Mesa & Queen Creek Plumbers are on call 24/7 to help find the source of the problem and provide you with a solution to eliminate the issue. Call us today for a free estimate!