Problems with the plumbing system in your household can be annoying, especially if your toilet keeps clogging. This issue is common in many households, and although it may seem insignificant, it could affect the whole plumbing system.
Because of that, you should find the cause of the problem and resolve it. However, as there are multiple possible causes behind your clogged toilet, you must know how to differentiate them.
That’s why this article will provide all possible reasons why your toilet keeps clogging and how to resolve the issue.
Reasons Why Your Toilet Keeps Clogging
There are various reasons why your toilet keeps clogging, so finding the cause is the first step to getting the solution for the clogging issue. There may be a plumbing issue, an issue with the toilet, or you’re not using the toilet properly.
Here are the most common reasons for frequent toilet clogs and their solutions.
Too Much Toilet Paper
Using excessive amounts of toilet paper is a common problem that clogs toilets worldwide. If your toilet keeps clogging, you’re likely using too much toilet tissue than you actually should.
The more toilet tissue your flush, the bigger the chances of a clog. Although it’s made for toilets, toilet paper can sometimes take a lot of time to dissolve.
Because of that, the toilet keeps clogging almost every time you use it.
Solution
If your toilet keeps clogging because your family uses too much toilet paper, you’ll simply need to reduce the amount you throw into the toilet.
You could talk with everyone to explain the situation and the reason why you need to use less toilet paper in your home.
Additionally, if you are not ready to give up on toilet paper, you can always put a small trash can in your bathroom to avoid flushing the toilet paper down the drain.
You have an Older Low-Flow Toilet
Older, low-flow toilets use fewer gallons of water per flush. Because of that, their flushing pressure is lower. There’s not enough water pressure to flush the clog material, so it remains stuck inside the toilet bowl, causing a clog.
Solution
Typically, old, low-flow toilets will function much better when you reduce the usage of toilet tissue in your home. However, if that’s not something you want to do, but you’re experiencing constant toilet clogs, it might be time to replace your toilet.
You’re Flushing Things You Shouldn’t
There are only two things you should flush down your toilet:
Human waste
Toilet paper
However, we all know to flush other things from time to time, but most of us are unaware of the effect that has on our plumbing system.
Flushing non-flushable items will result in clogs, which could lead to further problems and damage your home’s plumbing system. You should avoid flushing things like:
Wet wipes
Cotton buds
Feminine products
Tissues
Paper towels
Solution
As all non-flushable items could clog your toilet and cause even bigger issues in the sewer line, it’s better not to use them. It’s all about changing your personal habits and reducing the amount of unflushable items your toilet flushes.
The Toilet Vent Is Blocked
Toilets have toilet vents that go through the roof and allow fresh air to access your plumbing system. This improves the pressure of flushing and prevents the sewer smell from entering your home.
The toilet vent could get blocked by outdoor sources or from clogs coming from the toilet drain.
A blocked toilet vent could be the reason why your toilet keeps clogging. If the blocked toilet vent is causing the issue, you’ll also notice other signs, including bad smells, poor drainage, and toilet noises.
Solution
The plumbing vent is located on the roof, so it’s likely clogged by exterior causes. Because of that, you should inspect the toilet vent.
To inspect the toilet vent, follow these steps:
Access your roof and locate the vent
Take off the vent’s entrance cap
Inspect the area for dirt, debris, and leaves, and remove them if possible
Use your garden hose to spray water down the vent
A strong flow of water can cause the clog to travel from the vent into the main sewer line
If the water comes back to your roof, the blockage is still there, so you’ll need to use a toilet auger
Insert the toilet auger into the vent, and use rotational movements to break the clog
Run more water down the vent to ensure the clog is gone
There’s a Sewer Line Clog
If your toilet keeps clogging, there might be a sewer line clog, causing drainage problems. Main sewer line clogs typically come from smaller, forming clogs that travel through the drain pipes.
Sewer line clogs will need sewer line repairs to disappear and allow the line to function properly.
Solution
You should promptly reach out to a professional plumbing service to avoid damage to your plumbing. The professional plumber will look into the issue and perform the needed repairs to allow proper drainage.
There’s Not Enough Water In the Toilet Tank
If you’re having issues with your toilet constantly clogging, there might be an issue with the incoming water supply line.
When the water supply line isn’t providing enough water to your toilet, you won’t get enough water to flush something down the toilet drain.
Solution
It’s best to check the knob on the water supply line to ensure it’s completely open. However, if the knob is okay, but the issue continues, you might need to reach a professional plumber.
The Toilet Trap Is Blocked
All plumbing fixtures have a trap that prevents items from moving to the sewer lines and causing further problems.
Similarly to the sink’s p trap, the toilet trap is in charge of trapping things before they reach the main drainage system.
If you have a toilet that continuously keeps clogging, it could be that materials are caught up in the toilet trap, and they’re preventing the waste from going down the toilet drain.
Solution
You can use a flanged plunger to clear the stuck material from your toilet. You can also use a toilet auger if the plunger doesn’t do the needed job.
If none of these resolutions work, you should contact a plumber to eliminate the material caught up in the toilet trap.
There’s Mineral Buildup Inside the Toilet Bowl
It’s not uncommon, especially in homes with old toilets, that the toilet has mineral buildup inside, preventing you from properly flushing. Over time, the mineral deposits block holes at the toilet’s rim, preventing the water from reaching the toilet bowl.
Solution
You can perform a quick test to determine if this is your issue:
Fill a bucket with water
Pour the water into your toilet bowl
If the toilet flushes as supposed to, then you’re dealing with a different issue. However, if the flush is still weak, it’s time for you to invest in a new toilet.
How To Prevent Your Toilet From Clogging?
Toilet clogs are a serious issue that can cause a lot of harm for your plumbing if not treated in time. However, besides treating the issue once visible, you should practice prevention to avoid the problem in the first place.
You can reduce the chances of clogged toilets by applying these rules:
Don’t flush things you’re not supposed to
Place a trashcan in the bathroom to throw away things you’d usually flush
Use less toilet paper
Keep up the regular bathroom and toilet maintenance
Practice proper flushing
Always have a plunger nearby
Clean your toilet vent every once in a while
Consult a plumber for regular upkeep of your plumbing
DIY Solutions To Unclog a Clogged Toilet
Besides resolutions for every problem separately, here are two DIY solutions you can use to unclog your toilet.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
When combined, baking soda and vinegar have a strong chemical reaction that disinfects ad can unclog the toilet. To unclog a toilet by using vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:
Add a cup of baking soda into your toilet bowl
Wait 5 minutes
Pour two cups of vinegar into your bowl
Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes and rinse it off
Flush to see if the clog dissapeared
You can repeat the process if needed
Bleach
If you have bleach in your home, it might come in handy when fighting stubborn toilet clogs. Due to the high chlorine levels, bleach can effectively resolve clogs by dissolving them inside your toilet bowl.
All you need to do is pour a cup of bleach into the toilet, leave it to sit for half an hour, and rinse it off.
The clog should be completely gone, and if not, you can repeat the process once more.
Conclusion
Dealing with a clogged toilet can be annoying and frustrating. However, it’s essential to check what’s wrong with your toilet and resolve the problem promptly to avoid further issues with your plumbing system.