Toilets are some of the most used and most vital parts of any household. Your toilet should flush completely each time, to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. We’ve all dealt with the occasional blocked toilet which is usually fixed with a home plunger. But what happens when the clogs keep happening? Should you call a plumber about your chronically backed-up toilet?

There are many different reasons why a household toilet would experience routine clogging. Some of these you can fix right away, and some you may need professional help with. Here are some of the top causes of a clogged toilet:

1. Flushing non-flushable items

No, you cannot treat your toilet like a garbage can. This system is more delicate than it may seem, so it’s important to only flush the appropriate items. Do not flush things like feminine hygiene products, wet wipes/baby wipes (even those that say they’re “flushable”), paper towels, plastic wrap, or similar items. The only two things that your toilet is designed to handle are human waste and toilet paper. And speaking of toilet paper…

2. Too much TP

Many people use way too much toilet paper when wiping, and these large paper wads can cause routine clogs in your toilet. You should be able to get away with 3-5 squares of TP. Stop overdoing the TP, and/or consider installing a bidet attachment to help you feel cleaner with less paper.

3. Low water tank

It takes a certain amount of water for a proper flush, but if your tank is chronically low or leaking, you may not be able to fully clean the pipes each time. This can happen with older toilets, if the flapper is broken, or if the water line isn’t open all the way. This problem calls for a plumber.

Other causes of regular toilet clogs include poor toilet design, venting issues, too hard of water/mineral buildup, and more. If you’re tired of dealing with clogging, reach out to us at Powell’s Plumbing and schedule your service call today!