Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?
Are you becoming an expert at wielding a toilet plunger?
If that’s the case, you’ve likely been dealing with a lot of clogs. Practice makes perfect. But it also may mean that you’ve got a bigger problem to diagnose.
Here are 5 potential issues that may be clogging your toilet.
- What’s really going down the drain?
It’s possible you — or someone in your home — are putting things into the toilet that can create a serious clog. Here are a few things that should never be flushed down the toilet:
- Wipes (even though they say they are okay to flush, these are a major problem!)
- Paper Towels
- Facial Tissues
- Medicine
- Hair
- Sanitary Products
- Diapers
- Dental Floss
- Too much toilet paper per flush
- Tank Not Filling Properly
It’s possible that your toilet is not flushing correctly or with enough force to push waste down the drain. Even today’s low flow toilets generally create enough force to get the job done.
Take off the lid and watch to see what’s happening after you flush. If the toilet is not filling high enough, you may need to raise the level of water by adjusting the fill valve.
Here are a couple of easy things to check:
- Is your flapper working properly?
If water is leaking into the bowl, preventing the tank from filling enough to create a forceful flush, it may be due to a faulty flapper or, it may just need to be adjusted. Make sure the flapper is not cracked and that it is lying flat over the opening in the tank to create a proper seal.
- Is the fill valve at the right level?
There are different types of fill valves, but the purpose is the same – to allow water to fill into the tank up to a certain level, which will properly flush the toilet. Too low a level of water will not create enough force in the flush. So check that the fill level is high enough and adjust accordingly.
- Blocked Toilet Trap
The trap is the S-shaped area located between the toilet and the drain. It’s designed to let gravity keep harmful sewer gas from moving into your home (just like the U-shaped traps on your sink drains). These clogs, however, are generally relieved with a good plunge. So if this is not solving your problem, or it’s recurring, you may want to have the toilet checked by a professional.
- Your Drain Line May Be Clogged
The problem could lie further down the line – in your pipe to the sewer. With today’s technology, there are several ways a plumber can accurately diagnose and handle this. With the use of cameras for inspections and hydro-jetting technology, these problems that used to require major diagnostic work can now be solved efficiently without costing you a fortune.
- Hard Water Deposits
You may have mineral deposits building up in your toilet, impairing its ability to flush properly. This is generally seen as a white buildup near the portholes of the toilet located under the rim. These can be cleaned, but be careful not to damage the toilet in the process, or you’ll end up with a bigger problem.
Are you still having issues with your toilet? Call the experts at Agentis; we’re ready to help.
