Common Reasons for Toilet Blockages

Blocked toilets can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. As well as causing long lines outside the bathroom, blockages can be messy, unpleasant, and sometimes expensive to repair.

Here are some common causes of blocked toilets and how to prevent them.

Excess toilet paper use is the number one cause of minor toilet blockages. The trap at the bottom of the toilet is narrow, and a large wad of toilet paper can get stuck rather than dissolving as it should. Keep a plunger on hand to quickly resolve the problem.

If a plunger is unavailable, angling your toilet brush into the bottom of the bowl and up towards the pipe at the back may allow you to dislodge the blockage.

Reducing toilet paper use is the best way to prevent this issue. Encourage members of your household to use the minimum amount of paper required to achieve cleanliness.

Be cautious of using "toilet bombs" and other chemical declogging agents. They may release dangerous fumes or foam and overflow the toilet. Always follow manufacturer safety advice.

The only thing that should be flushed aside from human waste is toilet paper. Tissues, paper towels, baby wipes (even those marked flushable), cotton balls, and feminine hygiene products are not designed to flush and dissolve in the same way and can back up in the pipes quickly.

Small toys, car keys and food can all cause blocked toilets as well. If you have small children who like to experiment with the buoyancy of toys and other items, consider installing a lock on the toilet lid.

Toilets manufactured in the mid-90s with early designs to reduce water usage are more prone to blocking. Reducing toilet paper use and avoiding flushing foreign objects is essential to preventing blockages in these models.

Newer styles have become more efficient and less likely to clog.

Inspection by a qualified plumber can identify the type of toilet and if a replacement would be more effective.

If you’ve got any issue with any part of your gas supply, whether it’s the pipes, or your barbie suddenly stops working (usually on the day of a big family get together), you need to get the problems sorted safely and quickly.

This speed and efficiency is a key reason why you should hire a professional gas fitter. A fully certified gas fitter will be able to identify the problem and will have all the necessary tools to hand.

They'll also have the know-how to get things fixed as quickly and safely as possible.

If you have excluded user error in the cause of your toilet being blocked, it’s time to call in a professional plumber. Several external factors can result in poor flow or blockages and require expert attention. These causes may include:

• Low water pressure
• Hard water creating mineral build up
• Septic tank requiring drainage
• Older pipes being worn, damaged or collapsing
• Tree roots damaging sewer lines
• Blockage in external sewer lines
  

If you suspect any of these may be causing your toilet to perform badly, you should never tackle them yourself.

At TJM Plumbing, we offer 24/7 emergency support for all plumbing concerns, including blocked drains and toilets.

Our fully insured expert team support Lismore and the NSW North Coast so get in touch with us today!