There are few things worse than the sinking feeling you get when you watch the toilet bowl fill but not flush. Frantically jiggling the handle is followed by a scramble for a plunger and then very firm but careful measures to remove the clog. But what most people don’t know is that most toilet clogs can be avoided.
What Is Flushable?
Your toilet is only meant to handle human waste and toilet paper. So flushing any other object presents a significant risk that is entirely unnecessary. This includes most of the wet wipes that are now becoming popular. We assume because they are in the toilet paper aisle at the grocery store that they are safe to flush. However, only a very few of these items are labeled biodegradable and safe for your plumbing. Limit your flushes to the correct paper products, never feminine products, human waste, and nothing else. These rules will go a long way to preventing the mad dash for the plunger.
Some Traps Are Good
You might not be aware of the fact that all drain pipes have a u-shaped piece that is called a trap. This section of the pipe is always full of water, and that serves to block the “natural aroma” from filtering into your home. But the downside of this piece of pipe is that all debris needs to smoothly flow through the obstacle and away to the city sewer main to avoid creating a troublesome clog. Overly large wads of toilet paper are the number one foe of the drain trap. These clumps get hung up in the dip of the pipe and begin to trap more waste and paper. Soon, you are facing a rising tide in your toilet bowl. Limiting the amount of approved toilet paper per flush is the best way to avoid a nasty trap clog.
Less Is Not Always More
Many environmentally conscious homeowners have elected to install low flow toilets in their homes. And while saving a precious resource is a great motivation, there is a certain amount of water needed to flush and wash away human waste correctly. If you have elected to install al low flow toilet and are having issues, the only solution other than a new toilet is multiple flushes to get the job done.
What Does A Vacuum Have To Do With A Toilet?
All plumbing systems have a vent pipe or standpipe that allows air to enter the pipes and prevents a vacuum from occurring. This pipe runs typically up through your roof and can become clogged or blocked by leaves and debris from time to time. A quick inspection of your vent pipe will let you know if this is the reason for your drain’s poor performance. If this is the case, after cleaning out the pipe, consider installing a cover screen to prevent debris from entering the pipe in the future.
Everything Needs A Little Maintenance Now And Then
You might discover that in addition to your toilets not flushing correctly, your drains are clearing more slowly than they had in the past. If this is true, then you can expect to locate the issue further down the line than your toilet. This is a sign that your entire sewer line is clogged, blocked, or damaged. The best solution for this issue is a call to (214) 388-8838 to schedule a professional sewer line inspection from the pros at Flow Plumbing. We insert a tiny camera into the sewer line to inspect the wall of the pipe for cracks or damage, as well as any clog or blockage. In most cases, a professional drain cleaning using our high-pressure cleaning system can eliminate your toilet and drain problems.
No one wants to deal with the dirty water and potential contamination of the bathroom when a toilet overflows. And in most cases, with just a little care, you can eliminate toilet clogs from your future by only flushing approved materials and keeping up on just a few simple maintenance tips. However, if you do find yourself facing a challenging toilet clog, a call to (214) 388-8838 is always a smart choice to get a fast resolution. At Flow Plumbing, we offer 24/7 emergency service to get your toilet functioning again and eliminate your worries about a flood of dirty water in your home.