The bathroom is the most used fixture in any home. This immense usage often means a clogged bathroom leads to a frustrated family — and a messy cleanup. The first step in preventing a toilet clog is understanding why the fixture is backing up. Just in case, you’ll want to keep a plunger nearby. However, being proactive is the best form of prevention.
Low Flow Toilets
There are many old low flow toilets available on the market that lack the required pressure to clear the trap and drain, which leads to persistent clogs.
Take a peek at the stamped date on the back of your toilet. If your version was made before the mid-1990s, you have a first-gen low flow toilet. If so, do not feel as if you must replace the fixture now. You can quickly reduce clogs by restricting toilet paper usage and avoiding clog-prone items.
Non-Flushable Things
In active households or those with active children, it’s easy to dismiss what is being flushed down the toilet. Who wants to pay attention to that, right?
Your toilet was designed to dispose of particular materials. Flushing foreign objects, like cotton balls, wet wipes, floss, and feminine hygiene products, restricts drainage and causes backups. Speak with your family about these items and the best way to avoid flushing them.
Clogged Trap
The trap of a toilet is the curved pipe that sits just under the fixture. Its job is to prevent sewer gasses from entering your home through the plumbing.
With time, toilet paper, paper towels, and non-flushable items may become clogged in the trap and cause a backup. With a plunger must loosen the blockage, but limiting toilet paper and hard-to-flush items are your very best option.