Clogged Toilet: Causes and Solutions
Cause: Blocked trap. Toilets have an S-shaped trap that exists to discourage clogging, but it's possible for the trap itself to become clogged. Flushing paper towels down the toilet, for example, can create a blockage in the trap.
Solution: The best way to deal with a blocked trap is to use a plunger. A plunger generates pressure when you push, and suction when you pull. The force this creates helps to physically remove the object causing the blockage.
Cause: Low-flow toilet. To successfully flush waste, a toilet needs to generate enough water to get the job done. Modern toilets are equipped for the task, but some older toilets don't produce enough water when flushed to consistently prevent clogging.
Most toilets have time stamps on their tanks that indicate when the toilet was made. If the timestamp on your toilet indicates that it was made between 1994 and 1997, you could have a toilet whose low flow makes it especially prone to clogging.
Solution: The short-term solution for this problem is to use a plunger to get rid of clogs. However, to prevent clogs from happening in the future, you'll need to upgrade to a more modern toilet. There are many different toilets on the market today. A plumber will be able to tell you which toilet is a good match for your needs.
Cause: Hard water deposits. Minerals such as calcium and magnesium can accumulate naturally during the water cycle. When water has a high mineral content, it's referred to as hard water.
Water hardness depends on geography. Certain locations naturally have hard water, while others have water with a lot fewer minerals. The minerals present in hard water can leave buildup and residue behind, which can clog toilets.
If you've experienced clogging and see white buildup on the holes beneath the toilet rim, it's possible the toilet is clogging due to hard water deposits.
Solution: Use scissors or another metal implement to scrape off the hard water deposits from the holes beneath the toilet rim. This will clear the holes and allow water to flow freely for a powerful flush.
You will also need to pour a half-cup of a solution of one part muriatic acid and 10 parts water down the toilet's overflow tube. The overflow tube is located in the toilet's tank, above the flapper that raises and closes when the toilet is flushed. Wait 30 minutes, and then pour another half-cup of the solution down the overflow tube. This should remove hard water deposits and enable the toilet to flush freely.
Hiring a Plumber to Fix a Clogged Toilet
Not everyone is willing to invest the effort it takes to fix a clogged toilet. There are many factors that could cause a clog, and trying to figure it out on your own can be both frustrating and time-consuming.
A plumber has the skill and experience to fix a clogged toilet in just an hour or two. Plumbers usually will attack the clog using devices like a toilet auger. A toilet auger is a short cable affixed within a long pole. It's used to physically clear blockages that cause toilet clogs.
Some plumbers charge a flat fee, while others charge an hourly rate. The cost will depend on the nature of the clog, and it could range from $65-$650 or more. Service visits during evenings, weekends, or holidays will incur the steepest fees.
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