"Why Toilets Get Clogged and Ways to Avoid It"

A clogged drain or sewer line is undeniably one of the most dreaded issues in home plumbing. Neglecting these blockages can lead to significant disruptions in your home's plumbing system. When the pipes responsible for water flow in and out of your sinks or showers malfunction, it can make routine household chores like dishwashing or essential activities such as bathing and handwashing incredibly challenging. But what exactly causes these clogs in the first place?

Toilets often go unnoticed in our homes until they malfunction, causing panic and disruption. While it's generally understood that we should avoid disposing of inappropriate items in the toilet, accidents can still occur.

If your toilet frequently clogs, you might find yourself wondering, 'Why does my toilet keep getting clogged, and what can I do to resolve it?' In such situations, it's advisable to seek professional assistance to assess the problem. Mishandling the issue can result in significant plumbing problems and costly repairs.

Let's explore the reasons behind toilet clogs and how they occur.

What Causes Toilet Blockages? So, what leads to toilet clogs? Several factors can contribute to this issue. The key is to identify the primary cause of the blockage and address it.

Let's examine some of the possible causes of toilet clogs:

Obstruction in the Plumbing Vent In a household plumbing system, it's not just about the pipes that bring in water and the drainpipes that remove wastewater. Ventilation pipes are a vital component, running vertically through the structure and exiting through the roof. They play a crucial role in maintaining pressure to prevent water from siphoning out and enhance the flushing efficiency of the toilet while facilitating the inflow of fresh air.

Sometimes, these plumbing ventilation systems can become blocked at the outlet due to leaves and debris accumulation, which can typically be cleared manually.

The Blockage in the Trap The trap, located in the bent channel behind the toilet, serves as a crucial link connecting the drain pipes to the toilet. Its primary purpose is to prevent unpleasant sewer gases from entering the home through the toilet drain.

Although it plays an essential role in the plumbing system, the trap is a common site for clogs to develop. While many blockages can be resolved using a toilet plunger, there are instances when more extensive measures may be necessary, potentially requiring professional assistance.

Sewer System Backing Up Safeguarding against a sewer backup is of paramount importance. When a clog impedes the flow within the sewer system, it can lead to improper wastewater drainage, resulting in a backup. This blockage typically arises in the junction between the primary household sewer line and the municipal sanitary sewers. If you begin to observe sluggish or slow-draining sinks and toilets within your home, it could be indicative of a problem with the sewer line.

Why Does My Toilet Keep Getting Clogged: Common Culprits Issues with your toilet and plumbing system frequently revolve around problems such as clogging. Understanding how to prevent toilet clogs is essential to mitigate further damage.

Explore some of the most prevalent causes of toilet blockages:

Excessive Use of Toilet Paper Toilet paper is designed to be safe for sewage pipelines, but using excessive amounts can lead to clogs. This is because an excess of toilet paper may not dissolve properly, causing it to stick in the drain lines or the toilet, ultimately resulting in a blockage.

The market offers a wide variety of toilet paper brands today. While some may be soft and comfortable to use, they may not dissolve effectively, potentially causing significant issues.

Flushing Non-Flushable Objects Toilets are designed to handle only two items: toilet paper and human waste. If you routinely flush down other types of paper and personal hygiene products, it shouldn't come as a shock if your toilet becomes clogged.

Items such as flushable wipes, cotton balls, and Q-tips can pose significant problems. While you might assume these items are safe to flush, plumbing experts would strongly advise against it.

Utilizing a Low-Flow Toilet Occasionally, the issue doesn't lie in what we flush down the toilet, but rather in the toilet's design itself. Houses equipped with older, low-flow toilet models may also encounter clogging. These toilets may not have sufficient water pressure to propel material through the system, leading to obstructions.

Why Does Your Toilet Keep Clogging? You're following all the guidelines, but a persistently clogged toilet can be quite frustrating. So, what does it signify when your toilet keeps clogging? The causes can be numerous and often tied to a range of issues. In such a scenario, it's advisable to seek the expertise of a professional to thoroughly examine your system and pinpoint the problem.

Whether you require toilet repair, installation, drain replacement, repiping, drain cleaning, or any plumbing assistance, Tualatin Valley Plumbing is at your service. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us!

How to Avoid Toilet Clogs Prevention is often more effective than dealing with clogs after they occur. Here are some tips on how to prevent toilet clogs from happening in the first place.

Reduce Toilet Paper Usage As previously mentioned, toilet paper is meant to be suitable for sewer pipes, but it can be a subtle adversary. Overusing it in a single flush can potentially result in clogs. To conserve paper, use only what's necessary. If you find yourself needing more, consider flushing multiple times to enable the toilet to handle the load effectively.

Flush with Care In a toilet, only paper, water, and human waste should find their way. Items like Q-tips, tampons, sanitary pads, cotton balls, and wipes belong in the trash can. Proper disposal of these items can help prevent clogs.

Accidents can occur, and plumbers have discovered some unexpected items in toilets, including wallets, phones, coins, toys, toilet bowl fresheners, and more. So, exercise caution and be mindful of what you place near your toilet!

Keep the Toilet Lid Shut When you have shelves filled with items located directly above your toilet bowl, it's possible for things to accidentally fall in without your awareness. To prevent this, establish the habit of keeping the toilet lid closed. This is especially important if you have children who might be inclined to toss objects into the toilet.

Monitor Tree Roots Even if you're vigilant about what goes into your toilet, recurrent clogs might not be your doing. It's possible that the issue lies outside your control, especially if you have large trees in your yard with roots infiltrating your pipes and causing blockages. In such a scenario, it's advisable to contact a plumber to assess the situation and determine how to manage this issue.

In Need of Assistance? Tualatin Valley Plumbing Has You Covered!

If you have any plumbing problems, Tualatin Valley Plumbing is here to help.

Take advantage of the fall season to prioritize those essential plumbing repairs your home may require. With convenient appointment times available, Tualatin Valley Plumbing is your dependable local plumber, committed to working around your schedule. Whether you’re dealing with a clogged toilets, leaking water heater, or a install of a new faucet, we’re here to help.

To schedule service, give our team a call today at 503-607-7242

Full-scale residential plumbing, drain cleaning, water heaters, water service, gas line, re-pipe, and more!

Tualatin Valley Plumbing LLC proudly serves the Portland Metro area and more! Including Beaverton, Clackamas, Gresham, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Troutdale, Tualatin, Tigard, Wilsonville, West Linn, Gladstone, Happy Valley, and Sherwood. As well as Boring, Canby, Damascus, Estacada, Newberg, and Sandy!