The Cure to Your Clog

If you ask a group of people, “What was your most embarrassing story?”, someone is bound to say, “So, I was at my boss’s house, when I clogged their toilet…” Toilet troubles tend to be taboo; however, we, here at Hildebrandt’s Plumbing Repair, are here to talk about them! It’s about time you all know that the toilet you clogged, might not have been exactly your “fault”.

Toilets can clog for a number of various causes, so sit back, and get ready for some toilet talk.

What’s Causing My Clog?

Your Drain Line Has a Blockage

When your drain line has accumulated a mass of waste and grime, sewage can no longer flow freely through it, causing what we all call a “clogged toilet”. Drain line blockages may be a result of regular waste; however, severe clogs may also form from hair, too much toilet paper, sanitary products, diapers, medicine, and dental floss getting flushed down the drain. It’s best to keep foreign objects, and these items, out of your toilet bowl--it is not a trash can.

When you encounter this specific toilet trouble, it is best if you refrain from flushing multiple times. When your waste does not go down the drain the after the first flush, or the second, it’s time to turn off your water. If you continuously flush, you can cause your toilet water to overflow and flood your bathroom. And, nobody wants that--so, here is how to turn off the water supply to a clogged toilet.

A water valve is positioned behind every toilet and can be turned off by turning the valve to the right. Once the water is off, grab a plunger and, with good force, begin repetitive up and down motions. This will create suction, freeing the clog. Your water will begin to drain, and your toilet nightmare will be resolved! Just remember to turn the water supply back on before leaving the bathroom. If these steps do not work, contact a professional plumber to remove your clog.

Your Water Levels Are Low

Have you ever looked curiously at a toilet, because there was far less water in the bowl than normal? If you see low water levels in a toilet bowl, refrain from using it. When water levels are insufficient, a toilet is exceedingly susceptible to clogs. Inadequate water levels can be a result of two things: a partial clog or a malfunction with the toilet’s flapper (the round, rubber stopper located within your toilet’s tank). When damaged, the flapper is unable to open when you flush your toilet, resulting in weak flushing and threatening potential clogs.

To regain a proper water level in your toilet bowl, lift the tank lid off of your toilet’s tank, and locate the flapper with the attached chain. This chain plays a key role in flushing function, as it is responsible for lifting the flapper when you flush. This is an easy fix, just shorten the chain until the flapper lifts when you flush!

You Have A Malfunctioning Trap

The trap is essential. Without it, our homes and offices would all smell of sewage. A trap is a u-shaped pipe that is always filled with water. This water acts as a barrier; however, when water fails to remain in the trap, clogs can easily form here.

To remove a clog in the trap, you will need to call a professional plumber. A plunger will not resolve this toilet trouble.

You Have Old Pipes

If you have multiple drain clogs at once, your pipes are probably the problem. Old piping is typically corroded, leaving an ideal environment for clogs to settle and grow. Backflow will occur, and you will have continuous issues restoring your drain.

Replacing your piping is recommended, as repairs will only cost more and recur frequently. Contact a professional plumber to replace your pipes.

There is not a clogged toilet we can’t cure. Call Hildebrant’s Plumbing Repair, at (817) 668-3665, for all of your toilet troubles.