Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

Few household headaches are as frustrating as a toilet that just won’t stay unclogged. You think you’ve conquered the clogged throne after an epic plunging battle, only for that porcelain throne to back up and overflow on you a few flushes later.

Whether it’s your ancient low-flow model or that brand new high-efficiency toilet you splurged on, a persistently clogged commode is a special kind of annoying. You don’t realize how much you rely on that simple porcelain fixture until it decides to go on strike, leaving you to deal with the messiest fallout.

Before you resort to putting a porta-potty on your bathroom floor, let’s troubleshoot what might be behind your toilet’s recurring clogging problem. From low-flow woes to flushing no-nos and drain pipe disasters, there are actually quite a few potential culprits when toilets decide to turn into perpetually clogged problem children.

With some basic investigation and know-how, you might just be able to get that unruly throne unclogged and flushing like a champ again. No more plunger workouts or wading through sewage backflows required!

Common Causes of Toilet Clogs

Now that we’ve gotten those clogged toilet pleasantries out of the way, it’s time to investigate some of the usual suspects behind why your porcelain throne keeps backing up on you. As with most household appliance woes, there are a few main instigators that tend to be the culprits behind persistent toilet clogs.

The Low-Flow Letdown

For a lot of folks, the root of their recurring clogging problems can be traced back to those water-saving low-flow toilets. Meant to help conserve precious H2O, their reduced flush power can struggle to fully clear out waste with each go.

How They Work: Low-flow models rely on using less water per flush, typically around 1.6 gallons or less compared to older 3-5 gallon guzzlers. Less water means less waste gets whisked away.

Potential Clogging Issues: With such a diminished flush, low-flow toilets have a tougher time clearing out larger solid waste loads. The decreased flow power means more potential for residue getting left behind to build up over time into a full-blown clog.  

Maintenance Tips: If you’ve got a low-flow model, being diligent about maintenance is key. Make a habit of giving it a double-flush when needed and using a toilet brush regularly to clear the drain. You can also try toilet clog tablets to help keep things flowing smoothly.

The Flushed Forbidden Items

Another extremely common culprit behind toilet clogs? People treating their porcelain throne like a trash can and flushing anything and everything down it. Big mistake.

Non-Flushable Offenders: Feminine products, baby wipes, paper towels, cotton balls/swabs, dental floss…the list of non-flushable items people try sending down their toilets is sadly endless. Spoiler alert: if it’s not toilet paper or bodily waste, it doesn’t belong in there!

Clogging Consequences: Those non-dissolving materials can easily get snagged in the drain pipes and create obstructions. Next thing you know, you’re dealing with a clogged toilet that keeps backing up on you. Not a pretty sight (or smell).

Proper Disposal: Do your toilet a favor and dispose of any bathroom trash properly in the trash can. Providing a separate covered bin for feminine products, wipes, etc. can help prevent any accidental flushing mishaps.

The Drain Pipe Disaster

Of course, sometimes the clogging issue isn’t even originating from the toilet itself. A blockage lurking down in the drain pipes can quickly bring things to a screeching, backed-up halt.

Common Drain Cloggers: Soap residue, hair, food particles, mineral buildup, and tree roots are just a few of the usual suspects that can create obstructions in your drain lines over time. Like clogged arteries, except far less pleasant.

Signs of Trouble: If your toilet is frequently gurgling, draining slowly, or causing other fixtures to backup when flushed, chances are you’ve got a nasty drain clog situation brewing.

Prevention Tactics: Being diligent about using drain covers to catch hair, pouring drain cleaners down pipes periodically, and having drain lines professionally cleaned can go a long way in preventing these backups from ever happening.

The Toilet Paper Pileup

You’d think the one thing toilets are specifically designed to handle would be toilet paper, right? Well, even that innocuous bathroom necessity can turn against you if used excessively.

Flushing Too Much: We’ve probably all been there – dropping a whole half-roll’s worth of TP into the bowl at once after a prolific poop session. That’s basically just begging for a clogged toilet.

Low-Quality Culprits: On top of overusing, relying on cheaper, low-quality toilet paper can also contribute to clogs. Those bargain-bin rolls tend to leave behind more residue that can build up over time.

Smarter Alternatives: Using premium, septic-safe toilet paper brands and being mindful of how much you flush at once can go a long way. You can also look into more eco-friendly alternatives like bamboo TP that breaks down better.

As you can see, the reasons behind your toilet’s perpetual clogging habits are plentiful! From low-flow woes to flushing no-no’s, drain pipe clogs, and even good ol’ fashioned TP overload, there’s no shortage of potential culprits. Knowing what you’re up against is half the battle in getting that unruly porcelain throne flowing freely again.

Troubleshooting and Unclogging Techniques

So we’ve covered all the potential troublemakers that could be turning your toilet into a clogged nightmare. Time to get into some DIY unclogging tactics to try resolving that backed-up throne yourself before calling in the pros. With the right techniques and tools, dislodging that stubborn clog might just be a few simple steps away.

The Trusty Plunger Plunge

When it comes to basic toilet unclogging, this humble tool is your first line of defense. Giving your clogged bowl the old plunger treatment can be surprisingly effective for dislodging clogs with a little muscle.

Proper Plunging Technique: First, make sure you’ve got a firm seal by dipping the plunger in the bowl to get it nice and lubed up. Then it’s just a matter of vigorous up-and-down pumping to get things flowing again. Put some oomph into it!

Plunger Picks: For clogged toilets, you’ll want to stick with good ol’ fashioned cup plungers rather than the flange variety meant more for sink drains and showers. The cup shape creates better suction for blasting through toilet clogs.

When to Plunge: This should always be your go-to first move when dealing with a clogged toilet. If the water isn’t draining at all, a solid plunging session is worth a shot before escalating to more intensive measures.

The Drain Snake Slither

If plunging alone doesn’t get that clogged toilet uncorked, it’s time to bring in the reinforcements. A drain snake is basically a plumber’s Swiss Army tool for dislodging tougher clogs by physically boring through the obstruction.

How to Snake: Start by feeding the drain snake’s coiled metal cable slowly down into the toilet drain, twisting it as you go. Once you hit the clog, crank the snake back and forth to bore through and grab any debris. Then carefully pull it all back out.

Pros and Cons: Drain snakes are great for breaking through solid clog blockages that plungers alone can’t budge. The downside is they take more elbow grease and can potentially scratch up porcelain if you’re not careful.

Safety Considerations: Wear some rubber gloves to protect your hands from any sewage splashback. And be mindful of avoiding any sharp cable ends that could cause injury if the snake gets stuck.

The Chemical Warfare Route

If you’re still not having any luck unclogging that toilet through mechanical methods, you may want to consider bringing in some chemical backup. Drain cleaners can help dissolve and eat through organic clogs when used properly.

Cleaner Varieties: Your basic liquid drain cleaners rely on harsh alkali compounds to dissolve gunk. Enzymatic cleaners use bacteria to break down organic matter more gently over time.

Pros and Cons: On the plus side, chemical cleaners can be effective for clearing out hair, gunk, and organic buildup you can’t physically dislodge. The downside is they’re caustic and can potentially damage older pipes if overused.  

Safety First: Always follow product instructions carefully and never mix different chemical cleaners, as that can create dangerous vapors. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and keep the area well-ventilated too.

The White Flag Surrender

Let’s be real – sometimes even your most valiant DIY unclogging efforts just aren’t cutting it. When you’ve exhausted all your plunging, snaking, and chemical warfare options to no avail, it’s time to hang up the wrench and call in professional backup.

When to Wave the White Flag: If you’ve worked through all the basic troubleshooting steps over several days and that toilet still refuses to unclog, you’ve likely got a bigger underlying issue that needs a pro’s expertise.

The Benefits of a Plumber: Not only do they have specialized tools to quickly locate and dislodge the nastiest clogs, but they can also inspect for any larger system issues like broken pipes or sewer line backups you can’t detect.

Finding a Reliable One: Get recommendations from friends, check online reviews, and make sure to hire a licensed plumber with solid insurance and guarantees on their work. An investment now prevents costlier headaches later.

So there you have it – the full unclogging arsenal at your disposal for battling even the most stubborn toilet clogs! From good ol’ fashioned plunging to more intensive snaking and chemical warfare, you’ve got options for dislodging that porcelain throne’s nastiest backups.

But remember, there’s no shame in waving the white flag if all else fails. As long as you put in an honest effort first, calling in professional plumbing backup is often the smartest (and least messy) way to resolve serious recurring clogs. Those toilet whisperers have all the specialized tools and know-how to get your pipes flowing smoothly again!

Preventive Measures

Look, at the end of the day, your best bet for avoiding constant toilet clogs is just being proactive about maintenance and using some common sense. A little routine cleaning and better bathroom habits really do go a long way towards keeping those porcelain thrones flushing smoothly without any nasty overflows. You know what they say – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to clogged toilet disasters.

The Cleaning Routine

Toilets need regular scrubbing and TLC just like anything else in your place. If you let all that gunk and grime build up, you’re just inviting clogs over for an extended stay.

The basics are simple – give the bowl and drain a solid once-over with a toilet brush and cleaner every week or two weeks max. This helps stop any residue, stains, mineral deposits, or other nasties from accumulating over time into bigger obstructions that’ll choke your drainage. 

Use a premium toilet cleaner with some legit chemical muscle like hydrochloric acid or bleach to really eat through that stuck-on grossness. And make sure you’ve got a good stiff-bristled toilet brush to really dislodge any clingers. Slacking on this routine cleaning is just asking for drainage problems down the line, so set a recurring phone reminder if you need to.

The Replacement Solution  

Sometimes though, the issue is simply that your old, outdated toilet itself is the core problem. If you’ve got one of those ancient low-flow models that just can’t seem to pack enough flush power anymore, it may be time to bite the bullet and upgrade.

The benefits of replacing it with a new high-efficiency WaterSense model are huge – you’ll gain some serious flushing force to keep things flowing properly without clogs. Many newer toilets are specifically engineered to avoid those gunky buildup issues.

When shopping for a replacement, look for models with a solid Maximum Performance (MaP) score of 800 grams or higher to indicate some true waste removal capabilities. Glazed trapways and fully-glazed bowls also help prevent sticky gunk from adhering over time. Unless you’re a seasoned DIY pro, we also recommend springing for professional installation – those porcelain thrones are deceptively heavy and complex to get set up properly.

The No-Flush Rule

Probably the most important prevention method though? Only flushing acceptable items down your toilet! Using that porcelain throne as a trash disposal is just begging for drainage disasters.

We’re talking feminine products, baby wipes, cotton balls, paper towels…anything other than toilet paper and human waste should never, ever be flushed under any circumstances. Like, ever. Do you really want to risk that rancid sewage overflowing onto your bathroom floor? Didn’t think so.

The smart move is keeping a separate covered trashcan in the bathroom specifically for disposing of any non-flushable items. You can also look into installing a bidet if you’re trying to move away from toilet paper altogether. Just don’t flush anything besides the basics!

The Drain Cleaning Routine  

Of course, even if you’re an angel about what gets flushed, pesky drain clogs can still happen over time as hair, soap scum, food particles and other grossness gradually builds up and works its way down. That’s why getting on a routine drain cleaning schedule is clutch for keeping things flowing freely long-term.

At minimum, you’ll want to snake out your toilet’s drain line with an auger every 6 months or so to dislodge any gunk that’s accumulated. You can also try pouring a monthly drain cleaner solution down to help dissolve buildup. Look for eco-friendly enzyme or bacteria-based drain cleaning products that use active cultures to gradually eat away at organic nasties over time.

And if you’ve got any trees or big shrubs growing near your home’s drain lines, make sure to keep those invasive roots trimmed back and use root-killer products regularly. Those suckers can easily penetrate and clog up your pipes over time if left unchecked.

So there you have it – all the preventive tips and tricks you need to avoid playing an endless game of Unclog The Toilet. From routine cleaning and replacements to flushing smarter and drain vigilance, just put in a little work upfront to save yourself a mountain of nasty clogged toilet headaches down the road. Your pipes (and nostrils) will thank you!

The Unclogged Life Awaits

A clogged toilet is an infuriating headache, but with the right troubleshooting and prevention, you can keep those porcelain thrones flushing freely. Of course, even DIY masters know when to call in backup. If you’ve tried every trick and that stubborn clog won’t budge, don’t be a hero – call Fox Plumbing & Heating. Our drain cleaning pros have the tools to dislodge the nastiest clogs fast.

Ditch the clogged life and schedule your drain cleaning service today: (206) 654-4986.