Why does my Toilet Keep Clogging? - Al Bourgeois Plumbing & Heating

March 17, 2023

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Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home. As such, it’s important to make sure everything is in working order. One of the biggest problems people may face when it comes to plumbing is a clogged toilet. It might just seem like an annoying inconvenience but when your toilet starts backing up and overflowing, it can become a huge headache.

8 Reasons for Toilet Clogs

Here are eight possible reasons for toilet clogging:

Using an Old, Low-Flow Model

One of the most common reasons for a clogged toilet is an old or low-flow model. Low-flow toilets were designed to save water, but they are also prone to clogging. This happens when too much toilet paper or other materials are flushed down them.

If your toilet is from before 1994, it might be a good idea to consider replacing it with a newer and more efficient model. These newer models have been designed to prevent clogging. So, updating your toilet can help stop a lot of clogging issues.

Congested Drain Line

Flushing too much toilet paper, baby wipes, or other non-biodegradable items can quickly clog a toilet drain line. This is especially true if the drain pipe is small in diameter and not designed to handle large amounts of waste products. Older homes tend to have smaller pipes than more modern ones.

Blocked Toilet Trap

The toilet trap is an S-shaped pipe located beneath your toilet that holds water to create a barrier between your home and sewer gasses. If this becomes blocked—due often to too much paper or other debris being flushed down—the water supply won’t be able to pass through the way it should and may cause the bowl to become full quickly and overflow.

Obstructed Toilet Vent

The vent allows air to circulate inside the drain pipes and prevents a vacuum from forming when you flush the toilet. If it gets blocked, then the pressure created by flushing can cause clogs to form in your toilet’s plumbing system. The vent is usually blocked by leaves, twigs, and other debris that gets caught in the opening. You can unclog it by clearing out any debris blocking the vent or calling a plumber to do it for you.

Not Enough Water in the Tank

Another common cause of a clogged toilet is not enough water in the tank. When there’s insufficient water, solids can settle and eventually become stuck, creating a clog. Toilet tanks are designed to hold from two to three gallons of water but if you have an older model or one with a problem such as low pressure, this could be even less.

Hard Water Buildup

Hard water is a common cause of toilet clogs. Hard water contains dissolved minerals, such as iron and magnesium, which can build up inside the pipes and form clogs. To stop hard water buildup from causing clogs in your toilet, you can try different products, such as water softeners and descalers, that reduce the mineral content or the impact of the mineral content in the water.

New Orleans tap water is considered hard due to its high mineral content. Therefore, New Orleans bathrooms are more prone to toilet clogs caused by hard water buildup.

Slow Septic Systems

When your septic tank begins to fill up, it creates an obstruction that prevents water and waste from flowing freely through the pipes. This can cause blockages in both the main sewer line and the lines going to the house, causing toilet bowls to back up when they are flushed. To prevent this from happening, you should have your septic tank inspected regularly and pumped out if needed.

Drainage Issues

New Orleans La lies below sea level and experiences a lot of sinking. Water levels around the city are lower than the level of the surrounding terrain. When water does not drain, debris builds up in the overall plumbing system, leading to clogged toilets and slow drainage of individual systems.

Additionally, old neighborhoods and drainage systems are often plagued by roots from nearby trees, which invade and block pipes.

When To Call a Plumber

If you’re experiencing any of the situations above, it’s best to enlist the help of professional plumbers and a plumbing company you can trust unclog a toilet. Plumbers have the tools and experience to identify the source of your clog. They can then clear it out safely without causing any damage.

A quick online search for “plumbers near me” can help you find a reliable local plumber to help with your clogged toilet. If you’re living in Louisiana, Al Bourgeois Plumbing and Heating is your reliable team of New Orleans plumbers who can help you out with any toilet issue and toilet repair.

When To Replace Your Toilet

It can be tricky to determine when you just need to unclog a toilet, repair it, or when it’s time to replace the whole unit. If you find that your toilet bowl is clogging frequently and no amount of plunging or snaking can get rid of the blockage, then it might be time for a new one. This could be because there are weak spots in your old model’s pipes or tank, making them more vulnerable to buildups and debris.

Again, it’s best to have an expert come and look at your toilet to make sure that a new one is necessary. Replacing a toilet can be costly and time-consuming, so it’s worth making sure that you do need a new one before investing in one.