Toilets can be tricky. One day, everything is fine, and the next day, you’re left with a clogged toilet and a bathroom full of guests. If your toilet clogs frequently, there could be any number of reasons. For one thing, toilets can get clogged when people flush items that shouldn’t be flushed. But if this hasn’t been happening and you’re still left with a clogged toilet, here are some possible reasons why:
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There’s Not Enough Water In The Tank
If your toilet is frequently clogging, the problem may be with the water level inside the tank. If there’s not enough water in the tank, it may not be able to flush away solid waste and paper completely.
To keep your toilet from clogging frequently, check the water level inside the tank by lifting off the lid behind the toilet seat. There should be a mark inside the tank showing how high the water should be. If it’s low, adjust the float mechanism or fill valve to increase it to this level. This problem is especially prevalent in older toilets that weren’t designed to use as little water as they do today.
In newer toilets, there should always be at least 1.6 gallons of water in the tank. If your toilet was built before 1980, it probably has a larger tank — about 3 gallons — which means it will use more water each time you flush.
Hard Water Build-up
Another common reason for toilet clogs is hard water build-up inside your pipes. If you live in an area where hard water is an issue, you may have more trouble with clogs than most people. Hard water is more likely to leave mineral deposits inside your pipes, leading to clogs over time. It contains calcium and magnesium and causes mineral deposits inside the pipes.
These mineral deposits can stick to each other and form clogs over time. For example, you can tell if you have hard water by looking for white stains on your faucets and showerheads and tasting or smelling the water from your tap. A professional plumber can help you determine if you have hard water in your home.
Having Another Blockage In The System
Sometimes the issue is not with the toilet itself but with another part of your plumbing system. If you notice that water is not flowing out of your shower and sinks quickly, this may mean that there is a blockage somewhere else in your plumbing system. For example, you might have another fixture or drain blocked and causing your toilet to clog, like a bathtub drain clogged with hair or soap scum or an old, rusty pipe that needs replacement.
If you have flushed your toilet once or twice and noticed that it takes an unusually long time for the bowl to empty, this may also indicate a blockage in your plumbing system. A blockage in one section of your home’s plumbing system will lead to problems elsewhere. Sometimes, it’s best to call a professional to handle the job, and finding a plumber in Cumming is pretty easy. They will resolve the blockage in no time and make any necessary repairs or replacements.
Clogged S-Trap
An S-trap is a curved pipe below the drain that connects your toilet to the drainpipe. If a toilet has an S-trap, the bathroom is close to the floor and doesn’t have enough space underneath to fit a P-trap. The P-trap design is more common in newer toilets because it uses less water than an S-trap and can also be located farther away from the bathroom.
The S-trap has water in it that helps prevent sewer gas from entering your home through the drain line — without it. You’d be able to smell the gas any time you flushed the toilet. If anything gets stuck in this trap and blocks up the water flow, you can’t flush the toilet again until it’s cleared out.
If the toilet isn’t used much, the water in the trap evaporates, which means nothing stops those gasses from coming back into your house until you flush again. The main culprits for clogging an S-trap are baby wipes, sanitary napkins, and other toilet items that shouldn’t be flushed down. These get caught in the trap and prevent water from flowing through properly.
In short, if your toilet is frequently clogging, you need to think about a new way of doing things. While you might be tempted to ignore the problem, a clogged toilet can continue flooding your home if left unchecked. If you suspect a severe plumbing problem, call the experts as soon as possible. Your bathroom should never be overflowing regularly. If it is, you need to get it checked by a professional plumber immediately!
