A clogged toilet can be an unpleasant and inconvenient problem to deal with. Not only can it cause water to overflow and potentially damage your bathroom floor, but it can also be a hassle to unclog.
Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to prevent a clogged toilet from happening in the first place. In this blog post, I’ll share some helpful tips and tricks for keeping your toilet running smoothly and avoiding the headache of a clogged toilet. From proper flushing techniques to choosing the right toilet paper, these tips will help you keep your plumbing system in top shape.
I should also mention, that you should call a professional plumber for a clogged toilet if you have tried multiple methods to clear the blockage and the toilet remains clogged. Also, if you notice any signs of a more serious issue such as water backing up into other bathroom or toilet fixtures or an unpleasant sewage odor, it is best to call a plumber immediately.
In my experience of living in an older home with outdated plumbing, you may be more prone to clogs and should consider calling a plumber at the first sign of trouble to prevent a larger issue from developing, then trying to solve the problem yourself.
1. Use less toilet paper
One of the main causes of a clogged toilet is using too much toilet paper. Try to use less toilet paper, and if necessary, flush the toilet multiple times to ensure everything goes down.
Toilet paper dissolves in water over time due to its composition of short cellulose fibres. When toilet paper is flushed down the toilet, it quickly comes into contact with water which causes the fibers to untangle and form a thin sludge that is easily carried by the water flow in the sewage system. By the time the sludge reaches the sewage treatment plant, most of the toilet paper has completely disintegrated and goes straight to the treatment process.
However, it is important to note that not all toilet paper dissolves at the same rate, and some brands may take longer to break down, potentially leading to clogs in your plumbing system. It is recommended to use toilet paper that is designed to dissolve quickly to prevent clogs and other plumbing issues.
2. Flush your toilet properly
Make sure to flush the toilet properly and wait until the flush is complete before walking away. If you have a low-flow toilet, you may need to hold down the flush lever longer to ensure everything is flushed away or even flush twice if needed.
I sometimes also use grey water from the bath or shower, but only if there is not too much shampoo or soap, as these can potentially damage the plumbing if used over a period of a long time.
If flushing problems aren’t manageable, plumbers in Melbourne can take several steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Common causes of flushing problems include clogs, issues with the flapper or chain in the tank, low water levels, or problems with the plumbing system itself.
3. Don’t flush non-flushable items
This makes perfect sense, but try to avoid flushing non-flushable items such as baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, and paper towels down the toilet. These items can easily cause a clog, because they don’t easily dissolve (or don’t dissolve at all).
Keep a small bathroom pedal bin with a plastic liner to dispose all the products that you don’t want to flush down the toilet.
4. Use a toilet plunger
Keep a plunger handy in case of a clog. If you notice the water level rising when you flush, use the plunger to help clear the blockage.
Also you should not keep flushing a blocked toilet. Flushing a blocked toilet can cause the water to overflow and potentially cause damage to your bathroom floor or other nearby surfaces. You could also get the water to rise so much that it could spill over the rim of the toilet bowl.
If you notice that your toilet is not flushing properly, it is best to stop using it and try to unclog it.
5. Carry out Regular maintenance Checks
Regularly check the toilet for any signs of a clog, such as slow draining or gurgling sounds. If you notice any issues, address them immediately to prevent a larger problem from developing.
A blocked drain line can cause a toilet to keep clogging even if you’ve followed all my other tips. This can be caused by a buildup of waste, tree roots, or other debris in the sewer line, so it’s important to check all drain pipes to make sure there are no blockages.
I’ve also noticed that older homes (like ours) may have outdated plumbing that is more prone to clogs. If you have an older home, consider having your plumbing inspected to identify any potential issues if you find that your toilet or pipes seem to block too easily.
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Hope this post inspires you and of course, I’d love to know what you think! Let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter and add the hashtag #practicalfrugality so that I can see your post.
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Magdalena
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