Toilet paper is one of the most common causes of toilet clogs, but there are many other factors to consider, too. Toilet paper contains non-flushable materials that can cause blockages. Excess toilet paper can also clog the pipes and drains. Other potential causes of toilet clogs include excessive toilet paper and birds’ nests.
Non-flushable materials
While the toilet was designed to handle specific materials, we still sometimes flush non-flushable items like feminine products, ear swabs, and paper towels down the drain. These materials can clog the pipes and cause a costly backup. Instead, dispose of these items in the trash. Use a compostable paper towel instead.
The most common culprit is sanitary wipes. While toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, other items like feminine hygiene products, wipes, and cotton will not, and therefore clog your toilet. In addition, they can also tangle in the pipes and create difficult clogs. In this article, we’ll discuss how to prevent toilet clogs by avoiding the above materials.
Excessive toilet paper
If you want to keep toilets clean, stop using too much toilet paper. Toilet paper is designed to be flushed down the toilet without clogging it. However, using too much toilet paper can cause a clog because the paper is too thick and does not dissolve in water fast enough. This leaves matter in the toilet which can clog the drain and sewer line. So, here are some tips to prevent toilet clogs with less toilet paper:
Too much toilet paper is one of the most common causes of toilet clogs. Toilet paper is often folded more than once. Also, toilet paper with wadding inside is a common culprit. Lastly, flushing items other than toilet paper can cause a clog because they don’t dissolve and are not handled the same way as human waste. By following these tips, you can keep your toilets clear of clogs and keep your toilets running. Hire best plumbing services for toilet repair.
Bird’s nest
To avoid a toilet clog, properly flushing your toilet is essential. You should also know what to flush and use the correct amount of toilet paper. Follow the general rule of flushing only your body waste. If you are unsure about how to flush a certain item, make a list of things that cannot go down the toilet. If you are having trouble figuring out what not to flush, you can contact a professional plumber.
Starlings build messy nests of grass, leaves, and twigs. Their nests can become a fire hazard because they block airflow and trap heat. Moreover, the dry material in the nest acts as an accelerant, making it easy for a fire to spread. A professional service is essential in getting rid of this clog. However, if a bird has nested in a plumbing system, a bird can reoccur and cause a clog.
Blocked plumbing vents
When the vent in your toilet becomes blocked, the water can no longer move up through the drainpipe at a normal rate, causing it to gurgle and stall. If this occurs, the water will drain slowly or you may notice sewer smells in your home. It may also cause drainage issues throughout your home. To clear a clogged vent, remove the protective cover that covers the opening. Once the protective cover is removed, clean out debris that has accumulated on the vent.
If you notice that your toilet drain is slow to refill, there are two possible causes. One of the most obvious is a clogged p-trap, but you can also use a “cheater” vent, which is a one-way pipe installed after the trap. A “cheater” vent may not be a good idea, and building codes prohibit it. Lastly, you may have noticed sounds coming from your sink or toilet. In either case, this is likely a clogged plumbing vent.
Baby wipes
You probably have tried a few chemical drain cleaners to break up the clog in your toilet, but they don’t work very well on baby wipes. Chemical drain cleaners work by coating individual pieces of the clog in a layer of slick material that eats through it. Wipes are too large and don’t have the proper weave to penetrate this material. Besides being ineffective, chemical drain cleaners may actually cause more damage than good.
A good way to solve a baby wipe snag is to use dish soap, which is made to reduce surface tension in water. This will lubricate the clog and help it move further down the toilet’s pipes. Simply pour some dish soap into the toilet bowl and fill it with hot water to soak the wipes. Although dish soap isn’t 100% effective, it can solve a small clog and prevent it from reoccurring.
Sticks
Toilet paper and other items that are tightly bound in balls cannot pass through the trap. Moreover, toilet paper can clog the toilet if it is not folded. In order to prevent toilet paper clogs, try to use ultra plus toilet paper instead. If you cannot avoid using toilet paper, you can always fold the rolls before flushing them. Another common culprit of toilet paper clogs is tampons. When these absorb moisture and expand when wet, they clog the toilet.
Some of the common causes of toilet puddles are human hair, feminine products, and other foreign objects. While these items seem like they are flushed away, they actually clog the toilet. The problem is compounded by the fact that they stay in the trap for long. Then, when the puddles grow and become larger, the toilet can no longer cope with them.