What Causes Clogged Toilets?
Clogged toilets can be an embarrassing problem. Although it happens to most people, clogs are preventable with the right information. Here is a guide all homeowners can use to protect themselves from future headaches and potential plumbing damage.
What Does “Flushable” Mean?
“Flushable” items are supposed to be easily broken down so they can filter seamlessly into the pipes. Although certain paper products may advertise flushability, this isn’t always the case. Baby wipers, for instance, are frequently promoted as flushable, but they are a known cause of blockages.
Bath tissue is the only paper that is truly safe to flush. Although hand tissues may seem just as soft, these are usually not as thin as designated toilet paper and can even cause issues for modern toilet systems.
Less Is More
Using less toilet paper will reduce the likelihood of clogs. Even though most bath tissue is extremely thin, several squares will cause the shape of paper to form a mass. The more toilet paper that is used regularly, the more likely it is for backups to cause overflow.Depending on the brand, some toilets can handle more toilet paper. Eco-friendly toilets that use less water are more likely to experience blockages. This is especially true for large wads of toilet paper flushed all at once.
Softer toilet paper is usually much thicker than average. Older toilets have a difficult time handling anything but regular bath tissue. Rather than spending time trying to unclog toilets, flushing multiple times may help.
Sewer Line Clogs
A sewer line clog is usually more severe than a clogged toilet. This is because many of the causes are due to pipe damage. This typically happens from flushing debris down the toilet.
Clogged sewer lines cause problems with multiple household drains instead of just one toilet. Sinks, bathtubs, and showers can all be affected by a malfunctioning sewer line. A strong odor will spread throughout the household if clogs are not cleared immediately.
Grease is known to cause kitchen drain clogs. Since it typically settles toward the bottom of a pipe, the clog can take days to form. Even if a blockage isn’t apparent right after washing the dishes, it can still cause backups soon.
Hard water reacts negatively to soap scum. The water is considered “hard” because it is not purified and carries minerals and chemicals that can corrode pipes. When hard water is mixed with chunks of soap, a blockage will form deep in the pipes.
Sewer line clogs create consistent issues with household toilets. When a blockage is formed deep within the piping system, toilets will continue to clog. Although one can take care of toilet clogs individually, it’s always better to get to the root of the problem so it won’t happen again.
A professional plumber should handle all issues with the sewer line. Although homeowners or tenants can unclog toilets, the sewer line requires special tools and expertise. An individual can further damage their plumbing system without proper training.
Dutch Enterprises
Dutch Enterprises has over 50 years of plumbing experience. They provide a flat pricing rate that is not based on sales or location. Call Dutch Enterprises today to learn more about their commercial or residential plumbing services in Cape Girardeau, MO.
