In today’s world, a toilet isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity.
There are few problems worse in your home than a clogged toilet. Your toilet is one of the most used items in your Buffalo home, so having it clogged or not working properly can cause problems for you and your family. In today’s world, a toilet isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. If you find yourself reaching for the plunger and asking, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?”, there could be problems with your toilet and/or your plumbing.
Reasons Why a Toilet May Keep Clogging
To help you answer your question of, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” we have provided some common reasons for your backed up bowl below.
– Low-Flow Toilet: A low-flow toilet (or low-flush toilet or high-efficiency toilet) is a flush toilet that uses significantly less water than traditional high-flow toilets. A low-flow toilet flushes one of two ways: either with gravity or pressure-assistance. Low-flow toilets are great options to help reduce unnecessary water usage and also lower your water bill; however, toilets can last for more than a decade before needing to be updated or replaced, and outdated low-flow toilets can cause clogging issues. Many older low-flow toilets will lack the necessary pressure to clear their drain and trap, which will result in regular clogs.
– Non-Flushable Items, Flushed: It’s a common plumbing myth that certain products can be flushed down the toilet without any problems; however, that is not the case. Toilets are designed to only dispose of specific materials, such as human waste and toilet paper. If you flush non-flushable, such as cotton balls, feminine products, baby wipes, paper towels, tissues, or “flushable” (yes, we know they are called “flushable”, but they are not) wipes, down your toilet, it could lead to issues. Toilet paper is designed to disintegrate in our pipes and sewage systems, but the previously mentioned items are not. They’re typically made with synthetic materials, plastics or polyester, that won’t break down and could lead to a clog and even larger plumbing issues.
– Clogged Trap: Another common reason why your toilet may keep clogging is if you have a blocked S-trap. On the back of your toilet there is usually an S-shaped pipe that comes up from the ground and winds its way into the toilet bowl. This pipe is known as an S-trap drain (due to different toilet designs, some toilets may have a P-trap instead, but they serve the same purpose), and it is responsible for ensuring that the odorous sewer gases in the drain pipes cannot pass through the toilet bowl and into the home. A fully clogged S-trap is easy to identify because the toilet clogs and needs to be cleared before it can be used again, but if the S-trap is only partially blocked, then the problem may not become apparent until the toilet fully clogs. Partial blockages can remain in place even after the main clog is cleared, causing the toilet to clog more frequently than normal (the spruce).
– Obstructed Plumbing Vents: Most people don’t know this, but modern toilets use roof vents to funnel fresh air into the plumbing system and boost flushing pressure. Over time, the vents can become blocked or clogged with sticks, leaves, or even an animal’s nest. If the plumbing vent is sealed, clogged, or otherwise obstructed, then the flushing power of the toilet is greatly reduced and the toilet will clog on a regular basis. To fix this issue, you should call a Buffalo plumbing expert to clear the vents and restore your toilet to its normal function.
– Sewer Line Issues: Your toilet may keep clogging if there is blockage or other issue with your sewer line. Even the toughest plunger will not fix this issue and you should contact a Buffalo, NY plumber to resolve the problem. A sewer line can become clogged with debris, tree roots, or other non-flushable material. Sometimes issues with your sewer line are out of your control and the line may have become punctured or compressed or the outlet to the septic tank or municipal sewer system could be constricted. Regardless of the cause of the problem, sewer line issues are not something you want to leave unattended.
If you have asked yourself, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” then it is a good idea to call a plumbing professional to help you diagnose and resolve the issue. While some clogged toilets can be fixed easily, others may have issues that need to be addressed by someone with experience.
Reimer is your locally trusted plumber in Buffalo and Western New York. Our full-service plumbing team is ready to help with whatever your home needs. Our Buffalo plumbers are available Day or Night to help you and your home. We provide upfront estimates and we don’t charge you anything extra for service on nights or weekends.
When you need a plumber, don’t hesitate to call or contact us online.
