Top Reasons Why a Toilet Keeps Getting Clogged
Toilet clogs are messy and annoying, but some might wonder why they keep happening. We thought it would be helpful first to describe how a toilet works and then flush out the most common reasons a household toilet keeps getting clogged.
How a toilet works
The average American toilet uses gravity and vacuum suction to clear the contents of the bowl. When someone pushes the handle, the chain inside the tank pulls up the rubber piece, called the flapper, letting more water flow into the toilet bowl. The additional water causes the bowl to overflow over the trapway, or toilet trap, a curving channel inside the toilet’s base. The water spilling through the trap creates suction removing the waste from the bowl.
From there, the waste drains through a pipe that is roughly 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Air enters the trapway and stops the vacuuming function. The tank then refills with new water flowing from the supply line. The tubes in the tank send water to the bowl and fill until the water level is high enough to shut off the supply. The porcelain throne is now ready for its next tush.
Now that we know how much goes into the seemingly simple act of flushing the toilet, we now understand why a toilet might clog. Small pipes and blocked trapways are usually the leading cause when waste isn’t going down. Here are some common reasons the trapway and pipes might not flow properly:
Someone flushed an item that should not be flushed: Paper towels and kids’ toys are the top culprits. Also, “flushable” wipes clog sewage systems all the time. If you’re using those regularly at home, try throwing them in the trash for the foreseeable future to see if you stop having bowl troubles.
An excessive amount of toilet paper is flushed: The average person in the USA uses approximately 57 sheets of toilet paper every day. This staggering statistic equates to roughly 50 pounds of toilet paper per person each year. Whether it be a new type or too much toilet paper, backed-up sewage is in the forecast.
The toilet or home is old: Bathrooms build up with calcium over the years, causing the toilet not to flush very well. Homes constructed before the 1970s may also have steel pipes that are more prone to cracks from tree roots or other underground obstacles. The clog could be a result of poorly flowing water and damage to the plumbing.
It might not be the toilet: Similar to the above bullet point; there could be an underlying issue with the home’s plumbing. Check for other backed-up drains and slow drainage around the house to ensure it is an isolated toilet issue and not the main sewer line supplying the rest of the house.
Need help with your toilet?
Eliminate the possibilities of why the toilet keeps getting clogged to pinpoint the cause better. Are there no small children or animals in the house? The reason is not likely a stuck toy. Check for additional drainage issues around the home to ensure it’s the toilet and not a bigger plumbing problem. Lastly, it’s normal to have a few clogged toilets here and there because of the complex design of toilet systems. Regularly clogged toilets may require additional investigation and a professional plumbing technician to diagnose and solve the issue correctly.
Much Better Plumbing is the premier residential and commercial plumbing service for homeowners and businesses in the Las Vegas area. We are licensed, bonded, and insured. Our residential plumbing services include water leak detection and repair, toilet repairs, faucet repair and replacement, home repiping, slab leak detection and repair, and water heater repair and replacement.