Seven common blocked toilet causes
Blocked toilet causes include things like toilet paper building up and clogging the toilet, flushing tampons or tree roots in the sewer pipes. Having a blocked toilet is one of the biggest inconveniences you can have in your home or workplace. Not only is it unhygienic, it can potentially cause lasting water damage if it overflows out of the toilet bowl into other areas of your house.
Probably the most frustrating thing about a blocked toilet is it that you are unable to use it until it has been unclogged, which can be a real problem for large families in single bathroom homes. A blocked toilet is something that needs to be repaired quickly to minimise potential disruption to your life.
Below we list the main blocked toilet causes and some simple tips on how to avoid them.
Blocked toilet cause #1 - Using too much toilet paper
Putting too much toilet paper into the toilet in one session can cause a clogged toilet because a single flush doesn't always produce enough force to push the paper down the pipe. Some toilet papers are thicker and harder to flush than others, so its important to keep this in mind too.
How to avoid - try and use the minimal amount of toilet paper necessary. If you feel like you're using a lot, don't be embarrassed to double flush. Flush halfway through and then use more paper. If you do accidentally clog the toilet, you can easily unblock a toilet caused too much paper using a plunger.
Blocked toilet cause #2 - Flushing tampons and sanitary pads
We are regularly called to clear blocked drains that are caused by tampons and other female hygiene products being incorrectly disposed of down the toilet. Pad and tampons are not flushable. These products are too big and bulky for sewerage systems and they aren't designed to break down like toilet paper.
How to avoid - don’t flush tampons down the toilet. The best way to dispose of tampons is to always keep a bin next to the toilet and place all sanitary items in trash.
Blocked toilet cause #3 - Flushing personal care products
It's not just the ladies who are flushing things down the toilet that don’t belong there. Toilets can become clogged if any foreign item is flushed, including wet-wipes cotton buds, ear buds and condoms to name a few.
How to avoid - Toilets should not be treated as a garbage disposal. In addition to causing blocked toilets, flushing personal care products down the toilet is it a waste of water. Reserve toilets for the intended use and place these products into the bin.
Blocked toilet cause #4 - Children flushing kids toys
Ever wondered where that ninja turtle went? It's not uncommon for children to flush things down the toilet. They can get trapped in the pipes, resulting in a clog.
How to avoid - Educate your children about the dangers of flushing foreign items down the toilet. They don’t understand how a toilet or sewer system works. Teaching them when they are young to only flush toilet paper, poo and wee will go a long way to protecting your toilet from clogs.
Blocked toilet cause #5 - Clogs caused by baby wipes and other wet-wipes
While some clogged toilets are caused by children flushing toys, more often than not a blocked toilet is caused by the parents. Baby wipes should never be flushed down the toilet because they are not water soluble and they can get stuck in the pipes. In fact, all kinds of wet-wipes can cause serious issues for your drainage. Wet-wipes come in many forms including makeup removal wipes, wet-wipes designed to replace toilet paper and disposable cleaning wet-wipes. It’s not safe to flush any of these wipes down the toilet.
How to avoid - place all kinds of wet-wipes in the bin rather than the toilet.
Blocked toilet cause #6 - Tree roots in the sewer pipes
Some toilet blockages are caused outside of the home. Tree roots are a common cause of clogs in the main sewer line. Roots are attracted to moisture and can penetrate loose joints or hairline cracks. Once inside, they form root balls that clog the sewer line. This type of blockage should be treated as a plumbing emergency and addressed as soon as possible. Depending on the severity, it could cause raw sewage to spill from gully traps outside or even overflow from the toilet or a basin inside the house.
How to avoid - don't plant trees or shrubs near sewer lines. You can purchase a copy of your sewer diagram from Sydney Water so you know exactly where the pipes are on your property. Before planting trees, get in touch with your local nursery and ask about the best trees to plant near sewer pipes.
Blocked toilet cause # 7 - Fats, oil and grease blocking sewer
It might seem counterintuitive that oils and fats washed down the kitchen sink can cause a clogged toilet. However, the kitchen sink is connected to the same sewer line as the toilet. When washed down the kitchen sink, grease collects and congeals over time in the outside sewer line. It coats the pipe walls, clogging the pipe like an artery. Blockages in the main sewer don't just clog the toilet. They block up every plumbing fixture in the house.
How to avoid - discard of grease and fat in the rubbish bin and never pour oil down the kitchen sink.
Need help? Call Sydney’s leading toilet blockage plumber
There are many ways that a toilet can become blocked and most of them are easily avoided. If you do accidentally cause a blocked toilet in your home, JAB Plumbing Solutions are Sydney’s leading toilet blockage plumbers. Our local plumbers know how to unblock a toilet drain regardless of what’s causing it. We are based in Five Dock in Sydney's Inner West and we pride ourselves on a fast response time as well as a quick solution to your drain blockage. Call us now on 1800 22 555 22.
