Toilet Clogs: 5 Common Causes and How to Prevent Them

If your toilet is constantly becoming clogged, there's a reason. You'll have to investigate the problem or have a professional find out what's going on with your system. In some cases, it's something you're doing that you might not be aware is wrong or causing issues.

Items Fall into the Toilet

When the lid is open, items can fall into the water. Without you realizing it, they can be flushed with your next bit of human waste. It might be a child's toy, a toothbrush or a cotton swab. Any of those items can cause the toilet to become clogged. The best way to avoid items falling in is to keep the lid closed unless it's in use.

Food Clogs the System

While it's tempting to use the toilet as a garbage disposal, food doesn't always flush like you want. It can stick the the pipes and cause clogs. This is especially true for grease. It can solidify in the pipes causing serious problems. Instead of using the toilet, throw food into the trash or start a compost heap for your garden. Pour grease into a can and let it solidify before tossing in the trash. Let oils cool and dispose of them in an old glass jar.

Too Much Toilet Paper

Instead of using balls of toilet paper, you might try folding the desired amount to create a large quantity of paper being flushed. Tight, round balls of paper might not fit through the opening in the toilet. You could try to flush your waste first before using toilet paper. Two flushes will take care of the waste and the paper.

Flushed Tampons and Sanitary Products

Sanitary products should never be flushed down the toilet. The cotton can become snagged on the pipes, which creates a blockage. When products are flushed, they end up being filtered out and taken to the landfill anyway. They should be tossed into the trash instead of flushed.

Hard Water Deposits

Deposits can build up on the port holes around the rim of the toilet, which can cause less water to flow through the toilet. It can be removed with a wire scrub brush or sharp object. You could also have a water softening system installed in the home.

Avoid the embarrassment of an untimely toilet clog, call Kellie Plumbing at (317) 738-2707 to keep your Franklin throne flushing!