It’s easy to panic when you flush the toilet, and nothing happens, or worse, the bowl slowly fills and threatens to flood the bathroom. Unclogging a toilet can be a challenge, especially if the obstruction is deep in the system. Sometimes a handy plunger does the trick; other times, nothing seems to work.
At Sewer Squad Plumbing & Drain Services, we’ve seen every kind of toilet trouble you can imagine and have fixed them all. We have over 20 years of experience serving the Mississauga residents with all of their residential plumbing needs.
Tree roots and grease buildup create stubborn clogs that are tough to handle—our hydro jetting blasts through them and more, leaving your pipes clear all the way around.
Common Causes of Toilet Clogs
Nobody likes to deal with a clogged toilet, but it’s a common problem for many Mississauga homeowners. The best way to deal with toilet clogs is to prevent them from occurring as best you can. Here are the most common reasons people’s toilets get clogged.
- Too Much Toilet Paper: We get it; some people like to use a lot of toilet paper, which is fine. However, if you have a big job, instead of trying to flush it all at once, flush the toilet a few times throughout so you’re not forcing a huge wad down the drain at once.
- Flushing Non-Flushables: You know those personal wet wipes that advertise as flushable? Well, they’re not. Clogged toilets caused by ‘flushable’ wipes are becoming the number one cause of clogs and sewer trouble. Instead of flushing these wipes, put them in the trash instead. The same goes for feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and other paper products.
- Hair: Some people clean out their hairbrushes in the toilet and flush the hair down the drain. The problem here is that hair doesn’t always go down, and after a while, builds up into a tangled mess in your drain. Like other non-flushable items, clean your hairbrushes and combs into the trash can.
If you’re mindful about the things you flush down your toilet, you can reduce the risk that you’ll get a significant clog that brings your toilet to its knees.
When It’s Time for Toilet Replacement
For the average homeowner, it seems like household maintenance is never ending. However, one system in your home that often gets overlooked is the plumbing system. Most people don’t think about it until there’s a problem. Since you depend on your toilet everyday, here are a few things that tell you that it’s time to swap out that old model for a new one.
- Frequent Clogs: If you have an older low-flow toilet, it probably lacks the flushing power to effectively get rid of all the waste, which causes frequent clogs. If you’re sick of dealing with a constantly clogging toilet, consider upgrading to a new model. Today’s low-flow toilets still save you money on your water bill, but now have plenty of flushing power to get the job done.
- Cracks: If you see cracks in the porcelain, it’s only a matter of time before they develop into leaks. Once the toilet begins leaking, you’d better replace it soon or you risk water damage to your flooring, which is another expensive repair you don’t need.
- Age: Do you have one of those pink, green, or powder blue toilets that were popular back in the 70s? If so, it’s time to upgrade those out-of-style commodes and trade up to something more modern and elegant.
- High Water Bills: Most older toilets were terribly inefficient using up to 3.5 gallons per flush. However, with new laws in place, today’s toilets use up to 1.28 gallons per flush and still have plenty of power to remove solid waste. Imagine how much money you can save each year by making the switch.
Are you sick of the taste of your water that comes out of the tap? Call us and find out if one of our water filtration systems can help.
What to Do if Your Toilet Clogs
When your toilet fails to flush, the key is to not panic. Before you call a plumbing company, try out these tips to remove the clog.
- Plunger: Every home should have a plunger by the kitchen sink and one in the bathroom for clogging emergencies. For the bathroom, we recommend using a plunger with a flange to create a better seal for more effective clog removal.
- Baking Soda & Vinegar: If you don’t have a plunger, or that method failed to work, try pouring a cup of baking soda into the toilet and letting it sit for a few minutes. Next, pour in two cups of vinegar; this should form a chemical reaction to break up the clog.
- Wet/Dry Vacuum: For extreme situations, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the obstruction. Whatever you do, do not try this with a regular vacuum cleaner!
If all of the above methods have failed, call Sewer Squad Plumbing & Drain Services for emergency plumbing repair.
