According to a recent Consumer Survey, about 20% of homeowners in America experience frequent clogs in their toilets. This is a problem because a clogged toilet can be a health and safety hazard. More specifically, a clogged toilet can cause wastewater to flow on the floor of your house. Beyond being a source of the foul odor (sewer odor), wastewater may contain disease-causing microorganisms such as legionella. This means that, if your toilet keeps clogging, you should get a qualified plumber to unclog it as soon as possible.
5 Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Clogging
Contents
This article discusses some of the things that may cause your toilet to clog.
Flushing The Wrong Materials
Made entirely of short cellulose fiber, toilet paper typically disintegrates in water or other liquids. This is important because it means when used the right way, toilet paper is unlikely to clog your toilet or sewer drain. On the other hand, materials that contain relatively long cellulose fiber such as baby diapers, sanitary towels, and cotton wool do not disintegrate in water, which means if you try to flush them down your toilet, they’ll likely cause your toilet to clog.
Damaged Fill Valve
Every time you flush your toilet, the fill valve opens up to allow the toilet tank refilling. Once the water level reaches the maximum allowable capacity, the valve closes, preventing further water inflow from the water supply line. A broken fill valve won’t allow enough water to enter the tank, meaning you won’t have the right water quantity to flush the toilet. A low amount of water won’t exert the right amount of pressure to flush the toilet, regardless of what materials are in the bowl. This will cause a clog in your toilet.
Old Toilet Model
Sometimes, the toilet could be too old to cope with flushing needs. Older toilets tend to have low-pressure issues that result in low flow and hence clogging of the toilet. To give you an idea, toilets made in the 1990s can’t handle a lot of pressure and can be inefficient when flushing waste and toilet paper down the drain. Such toilets use between 3 to 5 gallons of water per flush, without necessarily flushing all the toilet bowl contents. For this reason, the Energy Policy Act of 1992 set the flush volume of toilets installed after 1994 to 1.6 gallons or less. With the new models, you can comfortably flush your toilet with less water and the right pressure to prevent pipes’ clogging.
Clogged Drain Vent
A plumbing vent facilitates the exchange of gas between the sewerage system and the atmosphere. To put it another way, it removes sewer gas from the sewer line and releases it to the atmosphere. Simultaneously, fresh air enters the sewerage system through the drain vent, maintaining a pressure balance in the whole system. This pressure balance makes it possible for flushed waste to flow down the drain into the sewer line. In general, water follows the path with low pressure such that, with high pressure in the toilet bowl and a low one in the drainpipe, water will flow into the drain. Based on this principle, a blocked plumbing vent won’t allow the exchange of gases causing unbalanced pressure in the system, and hence, your toilet will clog.
Blockage In The Sewer Line
Cleaning wipes are the leading cause of blocked sewers, with baby wipes occupying a 41.4% slot, as reported by Statista. Other causes include:
- An intrusion of tree roots in the sewer pipes
- A build-up of fat, oil, and grease
- Solid objects like toothbrushes
- Feminine hygiene products
A blocked sewer line can be a nuisance, especially if no amount of plunging can unclog it. In most cases, blockage in the sewer line causes frequent and stubborn clogging of the toilet.
Conclusion
Affecting about 20% of American households, clogged toilets are a problem in America. The best way to deal with a clogged toilet is to find a long-term solution that will not only create a hygienic environment in your home but also help cut your annual home maintenance budget drastically. This is where a certified plumber comes in handy. Such a plumber would not only be able to identify the root cause of the problem, but also fix the problem permanently, allowing you to rest easy.
Call Robinson Plumbing For Superior Toilet Clog Repairs
Contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the most trusted plumbing companies in the Lehigh Valley, for reliable plumbing services. We offer a variety of plumbing services ranging from garbage disposal repairs and replacements, plumbing fixture upgrades, water leak repairs, and more. We always give a wide range of solutions when possible for any plumbing repairs. This allows you to choose the best option for your budget and home.
We proudly offer the most affordable and best plumbing services in the Lehigh Valley area. Additionally, our experienced plumbers all have the proper licenses and expertise to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work is backed with a guarantee. Contact Robinson Plumbing today and schedule your free estimate.
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