No one likes dealing with a clogged toilet, but it’s an unfortunately common problem. There is also a lot of misleading information about toilet clogs and it isn’t the only thing that stinks.
fIn this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of clogged toilets and offer some tips on how to fix them. So next time you’re faced with a clogged loo, you’ll know just what to do!
Will a toilet unclog itself?
A toilet can eventually unclog itself if the clog is caused by degradable materials, like human waste and toilet paper. However, this depends on the severity of the clog and the type of toilet you have.
If you have a clogged toilet, it’s not a good idea to wait around and hope for the best. The toilet can overflow and cause water damage to your bathroom. To unclog the toilet, you can try to do it yourself or hire a professional plumber.
What are some Common Reasons for a Clogged Toilet
There are a lot of reasons why your toilet might be clogged. Here are some of the most common and what you can do to prevent it from happening.
Human Waste
Human waste can clog toilets if it is not flushed properly. If there is too much human waste in the toilet, it can block the drain and cause the toilet to overflow.
Too Much Toilet Paper
If you stuff too much toilet paper into the bowl, it can cause a clog. The toilet paper can form a wad that blocks the flow of water, or it can get caught on objects in the bowl and cause a blockage.
To avoid a clog, use only a small amount of toilet paper and flush frequently. Excess toilet paper can cause toilet overflowing. This can cause dirty toilet water to run all over the bathroom floor.
Note: If a toilet is overflowing and you can’t stop it there is a shut-off valve at the back of the toilet that shuts off the water supply.
Foreign Objects
If your toilet keeps overflowing and doesn’t go down when you flush it, there’s a good chance you’ve got a foreign object clogging the works. Most often, the culprit is a child’s toy that’s been flushed by mistake.
But any solid object that doesn’t break down in water can cause drain clogs, including cotton balls, and even toothpaste tubes.
Paper Towels
One of the things that can clog a toilet is paper towels. They are often used to clean up spills and messes, but they can cause problems when they are flushed down the toilet.
Paper towels can absorb water and swell up, which can block the flow of water through the pipes. This can cause the toilet to overflow.
When you need to use paper towels to clean up a mess, make sure to throw them in the trash can instead of flushing them down the toilet.
Tree Roots
Tree roots are a common cause of clogged toilets. When tree roots grow into the sewer line, they can block the flow of water and cause a backup. Tree roots can also break the sewer line, which can cause a sewage leak.
If you think tree roots may be causing your clogged toilet, you should call a plumber to have the sewer line inspected.
Flushable Wipes and Other Flushable Items
One of the main things that clog toilets are flushable wipes and other flushable items. While these items may be labeled as flushable, they can actually cause major problems for your toilet and plumbing.
This includes wet wipes and baby wipes. When these items are flushed, they can get caught in the pipes and cause a blockage. In some cases, they can even cause the toilet to overflow.
If you have any flushable items that you need to get rid of, it’s best to throw them in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.
Feminine Hygiene Products
Feminine products are one of the main things that can clog a toilet. This is because they are often made of materials that do not break down easily in water. When they are flushed, they can get caught in the pipes and cause a blockage.
Older, Low-Flush Toilets
Older, low-flush or low-flow toilets are notorious for clogging. This is because they don’t have enough pressure to flush away solid waste. As a result, they end up relying on gravity to do the job, and gravity often fails.
This results in low water level in the toilet bowl or bad water pressure. The best way to avoid clogs with low flow toilets is to use a plunger or a plumber’s snake on a regular basis.
Septic System
If you’re having issues with things clogging your toilet, it could be an issue with your septic system or septic tank. Your septic system is responsible for treating and disposing of your household wastewater.
If it isn’t working properly, solids can build up and clog your toilet which affects your sewer line or drain pipe and that is the last thing you want. Septic system problems can be caused by a variety of things, including tree roots, leaks, or a lack of maintenance.
If you think your septic system might be the issue, you should contact a professional to inspect your plumbing system because there might be a bigger problem.
Improperly Vented Toilet
If your toilet is constantly overflowing, or you notice water around the base of your toilet, it could be a sign that your toilet is not properly vented. When a toilet is not properly vented, it can cause a build-up of air pressure in the sewer line, which can eventually lead to a clogged toilet.
If you think your toilet may be improperly vented, talk to a plumber and they will happily help you clean out the air vent.
DIY Solutions
A lot of people like to tackle these types of projects head on. If you are one of these people here are some solutions that you can try on your own.
Hot Water
The first thing you should try if your toilet is clogged, is unclogging it with hot water. Boil a pot of water and use a water bottle or other container to pour it into the toilet bowl.
Let it sit for a few minutes to see if the hot water will melt the clog. It shouldn’t take much water, no more than a gallon of hot water before it starts to work. If it doesn’t, then you should try a different solution.
Dish Soap
If your toilet is clogged, you can try unclogging it with dish soap. The first step is to add some dish soap to the toilet bowl. The next step is to add some hot water and wait for the soap to break down the clog.
Finally, flush the toilet to clear the cause of the clog. It is also important to note that dish soap is designed to break up grease and grime, but it can also break up the wax ring around your toilet bowl. This can cause your toilet to leak and can be a mess to clean up.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
A simple, effective way to unclog a partial clog or blocked toilet is to use vinegar and baking . First, pour a cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl.
Then, add a few cups of vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes. The combination of vinegar and baking soda cause a chemical reaction that breaks down the clog.
After a few minutes, flush the toilet and see if the clog is gone. It should work the first time, but if not, wait a couple of hours and try a second time.
This is a great solution for unclogging a toilet, especially a partial blockage, without the use of drain cleaners which might contain harsh chemicals. A cup of white vinegar is also the best thing to get rid of hard water stains.
Toilet Plunger
If you have a plunger, you can try to unclog your toilet with these tools. First, put on some rubber gloves and position the plunger over the drain and make sure it gets a good seal.
Push and pull the plunger up and down, using as much force as you can. If the clog is stubborn, try moving the plunger around in a circular motion.
Next, use the toilet brush to scrub away any remaining debris and clean up any dirty water that fell on the bathroom floor.
A flanged plunger works best in this situation and you can easily get one at a local hardware store.
Wire Coat Hanger
There are a few things that can clog a toilet and cause it to back up. These objects can include things like feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, paper towels, and even some kinds of toilet paper.
A wire coat hanger can be used to unclog a toilet if one of these objects is causing the blockage. The wire hanger can be inserted into the toilet bowl and used to fish out the offending object.
If the object is too far down the drain to reach with the hanger, then a plunger can be used to try and dislodge it.
Professional Solutions
If your toilet is clogged, it is best to call a professional plumber to help you unclog it. Good news is a professional plumber will have the right tools and equipment to safely and effectively unclog your toilet.
They will also be able to diagnose the cause of the clog and make any necessary repairs. A plumber can inspect your toilet and determine what is causing the clog.
Once the plumber has determined the cause of the clog, they will be able to recommend the best course of action to take.
Toilet Auger
One of the tools a professional plumber will use is a toilet auger. A toilet auger is a long, flexible rod that is inserted into the toilet to clear the clog.
The auger will break up the clog and clear the way for the water to flow freely through the toilet. It is similar to a toilet snake, plumbing snake, or drain snake but is used specifically to fix a clog and clear up the toilet drain.
Closet Auger
A closet auger is a tool that is specifically designed to unclog a clogged drain line. It is a long, flexible rod with a spiral of wire at the end that is inserted into the toilet bowl. The plumber will insert the auger into the toilet and then spin it around to clear the clog in the drain lines.
Toilet Trap
A toilet trap is a U-shaped bend in the drain pipe that is located under the toilet. The trap holds a small amount of water in it at all times, and this water forms a seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the bathroom.
Toilet Inspection
The nice thing about a plumber is they will be able to check to see what caused the clog in the first place. They will see if the water supply is connected to the toilet and if the shut-off valve is working properly. Inspect the drain hole to look for leaks and make sure the toilet fits and is secure.
They will also flush the toilet to check the water flow and if the water is draining properly. This includes inspecting the inside of the toilet and taking a look at the flapper valve.
A flapper valve is a type of check valve that is used to prevent back flow in a plumbing system. It consists of a flap of material (usually rubber or silicone) that is attached to a hinge. The flap opens when water flows in the right direction and closes when water flows in the opposite direction.
A plumber can look over the whole toilet system and pipes to make sure you don’t have any outdated equipment.
Conclusion
To unclog a clogged toilet, you need to identify the blockage and then take appropriate action to remove it. This isn’t something you can just put duct tape over and call it good.
While there are a lot of simple solutions that you can try by yourself, it all depends on the severity of your situation. It is important to remember how much longer it will take you to do it yourself versus a skilled professional.
So if you don’t have much time then it’s probably best to call a plumber. They can save you time and frustration. Just remember if all else fails, call a plumber!