Do you realize how much your toilet does for you? Unfortunately, it often takes a plumbing disaster for people to appreciate their toilets. By learning about some of the things that can cause toilet clogs, you can prevent and prepare for toilet trouble. When all else fails, call an emergency plumbing service.

1. You Have the Wrong Type of Toilet

If you’re experiencing frequent issues with your toilets, you could have the wrong type of toilet. Older low flush toilets sometimes result in low water pressure. They also may not have enough power to push waste down your drains. If your low flush toilet was made between 1994 and 1997, you might need a newer model.

2. Your Drain Line Has a Clog

As waste and paper products make their way into your drain, they tend to accumulate. To prevent this from happening, use strainers in your drains and don’t place foreign objects down your toilet bowl. More importantly, hire someone to clean your drains every year.

3. Not Enough Water in the Tank

For your waste to go down your drain, the toilet needs to have enough water. Clogged toilets often occur because the tank needs more water.

4. You Have Hard Water

One common bathroom problem is hard water. Because hard water is full of minerals, the water can cause a build-up in your toilet bowl. Those minerals calcify and make it difficult for waste to go through to your plumbing. If you want to prevent this from happening, you need to fix your hard water issue. There are many other consequences of having hard water, so working with a plumber to soften your water will only make your life better. After installing a water softener, you’ll reap all of the benefits of softer water.

5. Your S Trap is Trouble

At times, an S trap blocks the flow of water between the toilet and the main line. Have a plumber evaluate your pipes to determine whether or not you need to clean or adjust the trap.

6. You Have Blockages from Other Areas

It’s possible that you have blockages from other lines affecting your toilet. For instance, a washing machine blockage may stop up your toilet. With a camera snake, a plumber can identify clogs in your line.

7. Wipes Were Flushed in the Septic

If someone in your home is guilty of flushing baby wipes in a septic system, you are likely to experience a toilet clog. Baby wipes and other wipes don’t belong in your toilet. Even if a wipe says it’s flushable, it could cause trouble for your plumbing. Save yourself from an expensive repair and only place your wipes in the garbage.

8. Kids Got Into the Bathroom

All too often, kids cause plumbing problems. They enjoy playing with water, and that sometimes entails flushing things down your toilet. If you have a clog and have children in your home, you might need to question them about your pipes. They may have flushed something down your toilet. Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do to prevent this issue. Do your best to teach your kids to respect your plumbing. If they do place anything down your toilet, call an emergency plumbing service as soon as possible.

9. Maintenance Issues

Your plumbing system needs regular maintenance. If you don’t give your system the attention it demands, you might notice a toilet clog. Poorly maintained pipes outside your home could cause blocked toilets.

10. Your Septic System is Slow

For your toilet to work well, your septic system needs to be healthy. A slow system could cause a clogged toilet. If you want to prevent this from happening, hire someone to handle septic system maintenance. The system needs a thorough inspection once every three years.

11. You Have Old Pipes

Unfortunately, pipes don’t last forever. Over time, they show signs of wear and tear. Some pipes may even collapse. One common sign of collapsing pipes is a toilet clog. However, another sign of the problem is sediment backwash. Preventing this issue isn’t easy. Although maintenance helps your pipes last longer, you can’t make your plumbing last forever. If you have a home with old plumbing, you might need to consider repiping your home.

12. Lack of Knowledge

You need to know about your toilet and how it works. Otherwise, you’re likely to have frequent toilet clogs. When you know how your system works, you can identify what to do and what not to do. Additionally, you may be able to notice an issue before it becomes a major problem. One thing you should know is what type of system you have. Is it on septic, or connected to a sewer line? Septic systems require chemicals that speed up the processing of waste. They also have different restrictions, so you need to know what you can and can’t place down your toilet. By understanding your toilet and plumbing, you may also be able to troubleshoot minor problems. You can know which ways of removing clogs are safe, and which ways cause damage to your plumbing.

Why You Need an Emergency Plumbing Service

No matter how hard you might try to prevent plumbing issues, you’re bound to experience one. There are some causes of clogs that you just can’t control or prevent. When that happens, you should know who to call. A reliable plumbing company can come out and handle your toilet clog. If you don’t know who to call, you’ll be left waiting. Without a working toilet in your home, you’ll be left in the lurch. even worse, your clog could become worse and cause water damage. It’s important to have someone come out and remove your clog right away. Here at Reliability Home Services, we are ready to fox all of your plumbing issues. The next time you have a clog, don’t hesitate to call us. We offer an emergency plumbing service that gets your toilet working as soon as possible.