Why Does My Toilet Keep Blocking?
5 Reasons Your Toilet Is Getting Blocked and How You Can Prevent Future Blockages
A reddit user recently asked ‘What’s one of the most infuriating 1st World problems?’. Some of the responses included:
- ‘When automatic sinks don’t sense your hand at the right time’
- ‘Having multiple streaming providers but having nothing to watch on TV’
- ‘Tangled Earphones’
- ‘Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area’
- ‘Having a blocked toilet right before you have to leave the house for the day’
Whilst we can’t fix the tangled earbuds problem (air pods??), solve the issue of a faulty self-service checkout or cure the matter of too many options on TV (although I do mention some really great binge shows in this blog here) we can assist with two of the other first worlders.
There are elevnty million sensor tap options, best suited for commercial premises, home food businesses and homes requiring modifications for tenants with accessibility requirements. Please get in touch with us if you need to discuss sensor tap options, for today, the discussion is all about what causes blocked toilets and how you can prevent these blockages for occurring.
What are the main causes of a blocked toilet?
A toilet blockage can disrupt your daily routine and cause unnecessary stress; it usually occurs when you are heading out for the day, or on a weekend just to test your patience. My intention of writing this article is to increase your understanding of the common causes of toilet blockages and how you can implement preventative measures to help you avoid them. Here are five reasons why your toilet may be getting clogged, along with tips on how to prevent it from happening.
- Low Flow and Water Pressure
Low-flow toilets, while environmentally friendly, may not provide enough force to effectively flush away waste, leading to frequent blockages. Similarly, inadequate water pressure can hinder the flushing process, allowing debris to accumulate in the pipes and cause blockages.
Blocked Toilet Preventative Tip: Consider upgrading to a toilet with better flushing power or installing a pressure-assisted toilet to improve water flow and prevent blockages.
- Blocked Sewer Line
A blocked sewer line can prevent waste from properly draining away, causing toilets to back up and become clogged. Tree roots, debris buildup, or structural damage to the sewer line can all contribute to blockages.
Blocked Toilet Preventative Tip: Schedule regular sewer line inspections and maintenance to identify and address potential blockages before they become a problem.
- Incorrect Venting
If the atmospheric pressure isn’t maintained between the below ground sewer network and the surrounding atmosphere, it can cause a vacuum effect making your toilet gurgle, bubble and slow to drain.
Blocked Toilet Preventative Tip: install additional venting and ensure existing vents are clean and clear of debris post-blockage.
- Flushing Inappropriate Items
Flushing non-biodegradable items down the toilet can quickly lead to blockages. Items such as paper towels, nappies, dental floss, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet as they can clog pipes and damage plumbing systems.
Blocked Toilet Preventative Tip: Educate household members about what should and should not be flushed down the toilet and provide a designated bin next to the toilet for disposing of non-flushable items.
- Grading of discharge pipework
If your pipework within the ceiling void and/or below ground has inadequate fall it will not allow the pipework to be self-cleansing. The self-cleansing grade of sewer pipework (100 ml diameter) is 1:60 fall.
Blocked Toilet Preventative Tip: Too much or too little fall is defective plumbing and will require a licensed plumber to attend to rectify.
Other Preventative Measures
In addition to understanding the common causes of toilet blockages, implementing preventative measures can help minimise the risk of experiencing this inconvenience. Here are some additional tips to help prevent a blocked toilet:
Regular Cleaning: Keep your toilet clean and free of debris to prevent buildup and blockages.
Drain Inspections: Schedule periodic drain inspections to identify and address any potential issues before they escalate.
Install a Bidet: Consider installing a bidet attachment to your toilet to reduce the need for excessive toilet paper use and minimise the risk of blockages.
By understanding the factors contributing to toilet blockages and taking proactive steps to prevent them, you can enjoy a smoothly functioning toilet and avoid the hassle of dealing with frequent clogs. Remember, a little prevention goes a long way in maintaining a happy and healthy plumbing system (and will save you in plumbing bills in the long run!). If its too late for that and you have a blocked toilet, McCarthy Plumbing Group can assist on (03) 9931 0905.
