Clogged toilets are messy and inconvenient. Worse than that, clogged toilets can damage the flooring and plumbing pipes in your home, leading to costly repairs. So, how can you prevent clogged toilets in your home? The best way to prevent a clogged toilet in your home is to know what to flush and what not to flush. This is easy because there are really only two things that should ever be flushed down a toilet: human waste and toilet paper. There are a variety of different items that homeowners flush down the toilet that can lead to clogs including the following:
- wipes
- facial tissues
- paper towels
- dental floss
- feminine hygiene products
- grease, oils and fats
- hair
- medications
- coffee grounds
- diapers
Some of these items such as wipes and feminine hygiene products may be labeled “flushable”, however, they can still contribute to clogs. The best rule of thumb is to only flush human waste and toilet paper. Even these items can cause clogs if too much is flushed at a time. This can be prevented by using only the amount of toilet paper you need, and by educating any children in the house about proper flushing.
A slow or weak flush can be an indication that your toilet is forming a clog. If this happens, you should attempt to clear the clog with a plunger as soon as it occurs. If you notice that other drains in your home are also draining slowly or backing up, this may be an indication of a bigger problem with your plumbing system. At this point, you may need to hire a professional to accurately diagnose and fix the problem.
