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Why Does The Toilet Keep Clogging And Do You Need A Plumber? | Myrtle Beach, SC
A toilet that clogs frequently can become a nuisance. When you’re in a hurry or you have company over, you certainly don’t want to take time to unclog the toilet–again. So, why does your toilet keep clogging, and do you need a plumber to visit your Myrtle Beach, SC, home to fix it? Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach offers a full spectrum of professional plumbing services. Stubborn toilet clogs are a common reason for calling in a plumber. However, even if the clogs are easy for you to deal with using a plunger, there could be an underlying reason for frequent clogging that a plumbing professional can solve for you. Here are some of the reasons why your toilet might be clogging:
Low Flow Toilet
Is your toilet a low flow model? Low flow toilets were developed to reduce water usage, and they do use considerably less water than a standard toilet. A low flow toilet uses less than 2 gallons of water per flush, while a standard toilet, particularly an older model, might use as much as seven gallons per flush. Although the low flow toilet is great for water conservation, these toilets do have a reputation for frequent clogs.
Fortunately, newer low flow toilet models may function better, but for some households, the low flow type of toilet may not be ideal. These toilets may not provide enough flush power to effectively push waste and toilet paper through the drain system and out into the city’s municipal sewer system. If you’re experiencing a lot of toilet clogs, you should consult a plumber from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach to inspect the situation.
Excessive Toilet Paper
Flushing too much toilet paper all at once can lead to frequent clogging. This is often the case in households with kids. Although the toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water so that it flows easily through the drain, an abundance of toilet paper can clog the toilet. If your family is being mindful about the amount of toilet tissue they’re flushing all at once, it may be that you should switch the tissue. One-ply is best for plumbing systems. Although 2-ply or 3-ply tissues are marketed to work safely, they are more prone to clogging up toilets than 1-ply toilet paper. If you switch toilet tissue and continue to get clogs at your Myrtle Beach, SC, home, contact a plumber to check your toilet and drains.
Flushing Inappropriate Items
The only items that should be flushed down a toilet are waste and toilet tissue. Anything else is a foreign object that should be disposed of by some other means. Even so, any professional can tell you that they’ve dealt with toilet clogs involving cotton balls, baby wipes, diapers, feminine products, and paper towels. These items don’t dissolve the way that toilet tissue does. Instead, they can become trapped in the pipes when introduced to your drain via the toilet. In fact, plunging these items is often unsuccessful. Remind everyone in your household to avoid flushing these or other foreign items down the toilet.
Plumbing Vents
Another problem that could cause your toilet to clog frequently–clogged plumbing vents. The vents of your plumbing system are located on the roof. They can become clogged by debris over time. Even birds or climbing animals like squirrels might decide to nest in a vent. The vents release sewage gas from your plumbing system out of your Myrtle Beach SC home and also increase air pressure that supports the function of plumbing fixtures like toilets. If your plumbing drains are clear and your toilet appears to have no issues, the trouble could be a clogged vent. Your plumber will know how to check.
Sewer Line
Frequent toilet clogs can also occur if you have a clog in your sewer line. Even a partial clog in the sewer line can affect the function of your drains and toilet. If you suspect that your sewer line is the problem, you can call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach for our help. A trained plumber can determine if there’s a clog close to your toilet or if the clog is out in the sewer line that connects your home plumbing system to the city’s sewer system.
The sewer line can become laced with buildup over time. This buildup can narrow the pipe and leave it prone to more frequent clogs. Are other toilets in your home clogging frequently too? Do other plumbing fixtures backup or do your drains drain slowly? If so, you definitely need a plumber to investigate your sewer line.
Sewer lines can also become infiltrated by tree roots, a common problem for many households with older plumbing systems. Seams connecting pipes can loosen as pipes age; the small cracks or holes that result allow tiny tree roots to enter the line and grow. Their growth will eventually clog up the sewer pipe. If you have tree roots in your sewer line, you could experience frequent toilet clogs. If the problem persists, your pipe can become severely damaged and you could experience a backup of sewage in your home. A skilled professional can sort out this situation for you.
If you’re frustrated because a toilet in your home clogs all the time, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach. We’ll send an experienced plumber to your Myrtle Beach, SC, home to troubleshoot the issue. Keep in mind that an old toilet may also be prone to clogging. If that’s the case, our plumber will recommend its replacement. Often, however, the reason for frequent clogs is because of one of the items listed above. Call us to schedule a service appointment or to learn more about our wide range of professional plumbing solutions.