Tips for Avoiding Clogged Toilet Drains
Although it’s one of the smallest parts of the toilet, the toilet drain can also be one of its biggest problems. Every homeowner should learn about all of the working parts of this incredibly important home fixture so that they can identify and even potentially fix problems with it when they occur. While you may do your best to avoid clogs, they can still happen. Whether it’s old plumbing, improper toilet usage, or just plain bad luck, knowing how to handle clogged toilets is key!
What Is a Toilet Drain?
A toilet is made up of two basic components - a toilet tank and a toilet bowl. The tank is on the top and holds the extra water and components needed to make the flush happen. The bowl is the part that is sat on, and it holds the water that flushes the waste down the toilet drain.The toilet drain is the final part of the toilet, and it is the final area that the dirty water and waste products pass through on their way out of the home. Without the toilet drain, waste would just continue to build up in the bowl.
How Does A Clogged Toilet Drain Happen?
Learning what a toilet drain is is only half the battle. Next up is learning about how they get clogged.
The vast majority of clogged toilet drains happen due to a foreign body of some sort obstructing the toilet’s ability to flush. While this could be the result of a child’s toy, it is much more likely to be related to people not being educated on what is safe to flush. For instance, many people are unaware that baby wipes can not be flushed down the toilet, as they do not naturally break down. Feminine hygiene products are another culprit.
Another cause of a clogged toilet drain is hard water. The more minerals that build up on the inside walls of the pipes, the less room that water and waste have to move through them. Eventually, with enough build-up, the toilet drain and pipes may become fully clogged.
In some cases, the homeowner can attempt to unclog the toilet drain by using a toilet plunger. Make sure that the plunger forms a seal over the drain, and start to plunge in a gentle fashion. Continue, using more force every time, for 15 to 20 plunges. If that doesn’t resolve the toilet drain clog, it’s time to call in a professional.
How To Prevent A Clogged Toilet Drain
As completely frustrating as a clogged toilet drain is, it’s important for all homeowners to know ways in which they can prevent them.
Knowing what can and can’t be flushed, and sharing that with anyone living in or visiting the home, is one of the best ways to do that. Whether that means posting a sign, having a discussion with everyone living in the home, or simply locating the garbage can in the bathroom in an easier to access area, minimizing the number of non-flushables that are able to enter the toilet drain can remove one of the most frequent sources of a clog.
Regular plumbing maintenance services, even if no issues are present, are another great way to prevent a clogged toilet drain. Homeowners should have a plumber out at least once a year to check over the plumbing system as a whole, and make sure that everything is in good working order.
Trust JD Precision Plumbing Services
The best way to fix and prevent clogged toilet drains is by working with expert plumbers. At JD Precision Plumbing Services, they have been serving customers in Conroe, Texas since 2010. They offer honest advice, customer-focused service, and a wide range of plumbing services to help your home!)
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