Tag: toilet

Tips for Preventing Clogged Toilet Drains

Clogged toilet drains are perhaps the worst of all. If you’re lucky, the water doesn’t overflow onto the floor, creating a mess you don’t want or need. Having a plunger handy is a must for every household, but what do you do when a plunger doesn’t work? Is there anything to do to prevent a clogged toilet drain? In this article, you’ll discover the answers to both the questions. Plus you’ll find plenty of information on how to avoid the mess of a clogged toilet drain.

Not All Toilet Drains Are Created Equal 

Conventional toilets use gravity to flush waste away. When you flush the toilet, the water from the tank flows into the bowl and forces the waste down the trapway. This method relies on a siphoning action that is jump-started by the jet at the bottom of the toilet. Most of the time, this works well,  but conventional toilets have narrow trapways that can clog easily. Newer toilets types on the market, such as washdown toilets, have shorter and wider trapways. As a result, they rarely clog.

But washdown toilets aren’t the only ones that can claim the no-clog title. You can also get a toilet designed to work with a pressure-assist system. As you can guess, this type of toilet uses enhanced water pressure to prevent clogs. The only issue is they tend to be a little louder than a conventional toilet. Plus, new toilets come with water-saving options that can help you save money while decreasing your water usage. The most common is the dual flush toilet, which uses less water to flush liquid waste than it does to flush solid waste.

Toilet Clog Removal Techniques

When a toilet clogs and a plunger won’t do the trick, it’s time to call a professional. If you have clogs regularly, you may have a larger issue than just an inefficient toilet, and a plumber can assess the situation. Some clogs can be eliminated with the use of a snake, which is essentially a flexible, tough tube that you can put down the drain to remove the clog. Some snakes can damage the porcelain of the toilet, so plumbers use snakes made for use in toilets.

Some plumbers can also use a high-pressure jet of water to unclog the toilet. This is called hydro-jetting and works well because it clears all residue on the sides of the pipe or toilet, decreasing the chances that you’ll have another clog soon after.

How To Prevent Clogged Toilet Drains

The first way to prevent clogged toilet drains is to make sure everyone in the house knows what not to flush down the toilet. This is especially true if you have children in the house. Only waste and toilet paper should be flushed. And, for toilet paper, make sure the kids aren’t using too much. If you have a septic system, make sure to use toilet paper that is ‘septic-safe’ to prevent expensive issues.

If you have toilet clogs on a regular basis, get your plumbing inspected by a professional. In fact, this is something you should do annually at the very least. A plumber can get a feel for the overall health of your plumbing system and give you steps to head-off any big issues. Lastly, you can have a no-flush toilet installed by a plumbing professional. But before deciding on a new toilet, consult a plumber to make sure your pipes can handle it.

Trust a Local Expert 

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. has been proud to serve the Wenatchee, Washington, area for years. They provide a 100% guarantee on all of their services, as well as 24/7 service. Their numerous awards and customer service reviews tell the tale of a company that cares about the customers they serve and the work they do.

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