How to avoid blocked toilets

DON’T USE TOO MUCH TOILET PAPER

Using too much toilet paper is one of the most common causes of a clogged toilet. Toilet paper is made to dissolve, but it doesn’t dissolve instantly. When there is too much paper all at once it may not be able to pass through either the P-trap or the drain. If more paper is needed than the toilet can hold, flush the toilet, use more toilet paper, and then flush again.

DON’T USE THE TOILET AS A GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Many individuals believe that is it okay to flush small particles of food down the toilet because the hole and drain are larger than the kitchen sink and the flow of water is much faster. Occasionally, you may be able to get away with this practice, but when you repeatedly put food down a toilet, it will eventually become clogged. It is better to put the food, even soggy food, into a plastic garbage bag and take it outside to the trash can.

AVOID PUTTING GREASE IN YOUR DRAINS

Grease should never be put down any drain, including the toilet. The cool water in the toilet will solidify grease almost instantly. A large amount of grease can clog your toilet where the toilet connects to the sewer drain or further down the pipes. Moreover, grease slowly builds up on the walls of the pipes. As grease builds up it will also trap other objects flowing down the drain, blocking the flow of water completely.

AVOID FLUSHING FOREIGN OBJECTS

A toilet was meant to carry waste and toilet paper down the drain. It was never intended to be used as a trash can. Avoid putting the following objects into the toilet:

• Q-tips or cotton swabs
• Cotton balls
• Female Hygiene or Sanitary products. (These products are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to drains clogging. These should rather be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of in the trash.)
• Face wipes
• Baby wipes (Even wipes marketed as “flushable” have been known to cause clogs!)
• Toys and crayons
• Hard objects
• Stick-like objects
• Things that won’t dissolve

KEEP THE LID CLOSED

Plumbers are often called because a foreign object, most commonly a small toy, is obstructing the pipes. A simple trick you can use to help keep objects out of the bowl is to keep the lid closed. This will stop objects such as a toothbrush, comb, or small toy from falling into the toilet bowl.

CALL A PROFESSIONAL FOR TOUGH CLOGS

If all of these tips don’t help alleviate toilet clogs, or if you notice that other sinks and drains are slow as well, the problem may not be in your toilet. You may have a problem further in the line that requires the special skills of a plumber to come and fix.