A working toilet is a good toilet. So when this household fixture decides to take a vacation, it spells trouble. This usually happens when guests are about to come over or there is some special occasion on the horizon. So, why is your toilet clogging? There might be a few culprits.
Let’s look at some of the most common reasons for clogging toilets.
If you are experiencing toilet trouble, contact Genevie Plumbing in St. Charles, Maryland to get it checked out right away.
Your Toilet at a Glance — Understanding How it Works
Your toilet performs a very specific and important function every day. While toilets come in many shapes and styles, most toilets use relatively basic mechanical components and concepts, including dependence on gravity and siphoning actions to complete the task.
The toilet is composed of a few components. The toilet has the bowl portion, the tank, and the trapway. Inside the tank, the toilet has several smaller parts that include the mechanism that creates the main action of the toilet. Inside the tank, you’ll find:
- Refill tube
- The float
- Flush handle
- Flapper
- Overflow tube
- Fill valve
- Flush arm
- Float arm
All of these components work together to bring in water, create suction, and wash away waste. The flushing process looks a little bit like this:
- When you press the handle, the flushing process begins.
- As the flapper lifts, water is released into the tank through the rim jets.
- As the tank empties, the fill valve opens, and the flapper goes back to its original position.
- As the bowl fills, gravity pushes water into the trapway, sending it over to the top.
- This is where the siphoning action happens. As water goes over the top of the trapway, it creates a suction and empties out the rest of the bowl.
- The fill valve sends water rushing back through the overflow tube and the bowl.
It’s a good working system. Yet, even the fanciest toilets will develop issues over time. Whether it’s caused by degrading components, obstructions, or materials that should not be flushed finding themselves in the pipes, toilet issues are a reality of life.
Clogged Toilet? Here is Why Your Toilet Might Be Clogging
You’ve noticed a clog and you’ve used a plunger, but even the plunger can’t keep the toilet from clogging again. There are a couple of reasons why your toilet might be clogging.
#1 The Wrong Items Down the Toilet
It happens. Especially if you have children, you might find the occasional crayon down the toilet. And yet, even without the kids, people might be making the mistake of flushing the wrong items down the toilet and inadvertently causing their own toilet issues. These items include things like wet wipes, feminine hygiene products, and flushable wipes or tissues. Even items that claim to be “flushable” should not be thrown down the toilet.
#2 Flushing Down Too Much Toilet Paper
Even if you’re flushing the right type of paper down the toilet, doing so in large quantities can easily become a problem. Kids are often guilty of this, especially as they are first potty training. If there is someone in your home that is using too much toilet paper or flushing large wads of it down the bowl, it will be only a matter of time before the suction of the toilet cannot compete with these large clumps of paper.
#3 Mineral Buildup in the Toilet
If your toilet is a couple of years old, the problem can be the result of a build-up of mineral deposits. Older toilets can develop deposits of minerals that cause issues. These deposits build up from water that can clog the upper rim of the toilet bowl.
#4 You Need to Fix Your Flapper
Your toilet might suffer from a couple of old and worn-out components. One of the first to go is often the flapper. The flapper needs to lift to let water flow down the toilet. When this is compromised, there might not be enough water that flows in, causing clogs in the toilet.
#5 An Obstruction in the Toilet Trap
The water and waste must flow through the toilet trap to get sucked out and delivered into the piping. If there is an object stuck in this part of the toilet, it is likely to create clogs. The way to verify whether there is something stuck in this part of the toilet is to remove the toilet, flip it, and look at what’s underneath.
Get Your Toilet Checked By a Professional and Find Out the Answer
If you find yourself fighting with a clogged toilet more often than you’d like to admit, it’s time to call a trusted plumber. It might be as simple as an obstruction in the trap or underlying pipe issues, but waiting will only prolong the problem.
Genevie Plumbing services the St. Charles area in Maryland and beyond. Our experienced team will quickly resolve your toilet issues. Have questions about what we can do? Call our team at Genevie Plumbing.
