Causes of Blocked Toilets In A Home

May 12

Did you know that people with high-protein diets produce more solid waste? Unless they introduce a balanced amount of fiber into their daily regime, hard waste could be the reason for a backed-up toilet. Assuming most of our readers are taking it easy on the amounts of protein they ingest, we’re going to cover the other most common reasons a toilet gets clogged at home.

Flushing the wrong items down the toilet

The makeup of a toilet—small, winding tubes and three- to four-inch pipes behind the wall—make it very easy for anything other than waste or toilet paper to get stuck while going down. The most common items that a homeowner should not flush are as follows:

Children’s or pet toys - Countless times, plumbers have found an action figure or fairy doll as the culprit for a toilet not flushing correctly.
Feminine hygiene products - Toss tampons, pads, and any other feminine hygiene items in a trash receptacle and save yourself the annoyance of plunging.
Paper towels - Paper towels are much thicker than toilet paper and are not meant to be flushed. Similar to hygiene products, throw used paper towels in the garbage.
Baby wipes - Baby wipes are among the worst offenders when it comes to a clogged sewage system. Even though the label says they are flushable, this does not mean that years of throwing poopy wipes down the toilet won’t hurt your pipes and create blockages. In this case, a separate bin for stinky, soiled items can do wonders to remind you to take them out as soon as possible.
Cotton balls and cotton swabs - After doing nails, cleaning ears, or using these versatile fluffs of cotton, disposing of them in the toilet may seem like the easiest way to dispose of them but don’t. Just toss cotton balls and ear swabs in the garbage.
Hairballs - Like a sink or shower drain, hair causes clogs because it takes a while to break down.
Dental Floss - Floss is so thin, you might think it cannot possibly pose a threat. Think again; floss can get caught up in other flushed goo and make everything harder to go down. We commend you on your dental health, but we suggest disposing of floss elsewhere than down the pooper.
Two or three-ply toilet paper - Though much softer on your cheeks, thicker TP could be the reason for standing water in the toilet. Sticking to the one-ply option is best for effortless flushes.

The toilet, tank, or sewer line might be the problem

Now that we’ve covered the many household products that create bathroom blockages, we want to suggest it could be something with the plumbing system itself.

It’s the tank - Sometimes, the water in the tank gets too low for a good flush. This can be due to the water supply or a specific component in the tank that is not functioning correctly. Pop the top of the tank off to see if you can diagnose the problem, but this may require a professional plumber to investigate further obstructions down the sewer line.
The home has hard water - The majority of homes have hard water. Many people don’t know that hard water creates mineral build-ups on toilets, pipes, and more, causing issues with flushing and sewer drainage. Installing a water softener or other water treatment system can help if hard water seems to be the leading cause.
Sewer line or septic tank issues - Over time, pipes degrade, and problems arise with the sewer line or septic system. An experienced plumber can inspect the system to see if it is damaged and where the root cause stems from before replacing or fixing anything. Unfortunately, a replacement can be costly, but it does beat having backed-up sewage in one’s home.
The toilet is old - Toilets older than 20 years may use five to six gallons every time it is flushed. Not only can this wreak havoc on the water pressure when pressing the handle, but it can also lead to stoppages. Today low-flush toilets have replaced their counterparts and save on water usage and the potential for clogs.

While this is not an entirely comprehensive list of everything that can block a toilet, it includes the majority of repeat offenders most often seen. All in all, a toilet that doesn’t flush is never a fun experience. Homeowners can choose to throw soiled household products into the trash or proper recycling bin to eradicate this issue. Upgrading old plumbing systems when they are no longer functioning optimally will also help. Lastly, if your diet is packed with protein, we don’t blame you for making your muscles a priority. We just ask that you loosen up your waste with some more fiber-rich foods or install a pressure-assisted toilet to help the hard stuff go down more smoothly.

With over 25 years of experience, American Discount Plumbing has offered expert plumbing service and repair in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding cities at affordable rates for both residential and commercial properties. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company offering 24-hour emergency service. We provide lasting general plumbing, water leak detection and repair, toilet repair, pipe repair, and water heater repair or replacement solutions. Call 602-883-2787 today!