Toilet Clog Prevention and Tips

We’ve all been through the stressful situation of encountering the rising water of a clogged toilet. Whether it’s too much toilet paper or a foreign object in the bowl, a clogged toilet can happen to anyone. Our SuperTechs have seen plenty of clogs, so we’ve rounded up our best tips to keep your toilet clog-free.

Keep trash out of the toilet

No harm is done in flushing a few cotton swabs or feminine hygiene products, right? Think again! The toilet is not a trash can. You can do some serious plumbing damage by flushing the wrong things down the drain.

Keep a small trash can in the bathroom instead and keep these items out of the toilet:

  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Cotton balls and cotton swabs
  • Dental floss
  • Paper towels
  • Cat litter
  • Plastic bandages
  • Prescription medication
  • Hair
  • Food or gum
  • Wet wipes
  • Diapers

The bottom line is- if it’s not human waste or toilet paper, keep it out of the toilet!

How cold does it have to be?

Especially in Texas, any freezing weather should be a warning for homeowners to watch out for their plumbing. In many northern states, the pipes are inside the insulation of the home, but that might not always be the case in Texas where pipes can be outside of insulation or heated areas of the home. Research conducted by the Building Research Council at the University of Illinois shows that pipes start freezing at 20 degrees, so keep on eye on the temperatures when they begin to drop. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

white toilet seat

Clear the space around the tank

Be mindful of keeping shelves and storage above the toilet. While convenient, it increases the risk of items falling into the toilet. Small items can fall in and sink out of sight, resulting in a clog. To reduce the risk of a clog or damage to the tank, keep small items away from the toilet. Or, at the very least, keep the lid closed!

Batroom tissue roll

When in doubt- flush!

Only so much will go down the drain with a single flush. If you find yourself using a little extra toilet paper, go ahead and give the toilet a courtesy flush. We especially recommend this method when you’re a guest in someone else’s home!

Get the most out of your plunger

Before you start plunging, make sure you’re working with the right kind of plunger. A toilet plunger, also known as a flange plunger, will have an added piece at the bottom. The added piece creates a tight seal on the bowl so you can plunge more effectively.

Before sticking the plunger in the bowl, run it under some warm water. The warm water will make the rubber more pliable and able to create a tighter seal on the toilet.

Once you’ve got your plunger warmed up and ready, place the plunger in the bowl and find a tight seal around the drain. A few sturdy pushes and pulls should work to relieve the clog and get things moving again.

Toilet Plunger

With these tips in mind, you should be able to keep your toilet flowing in excellent condition. If you encounter a plumbing problem, be sure to call the Strittmatter SuperTechs. Our expert technicians will answer any questions you have and get your plumbing back up and running in no time. Give us a call at 940-246-2075.

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