Why Does Your Toilet Keep Clogging?
A toilet that keeps clogging usually has one of three problems: something other than toilet paper and human waste is going down it, the toilet is an older model that flushes poorly, or the blockage sits deeper in the pipes than a plunger can reach. Consumer Reports says water coming up in other places, such as a sink or shower, means waste is backed up farther in the pipes, which points past the toilet.
If you suspect your low-flow toilet, the EPA says the flushing problems belong to an older generation. The EPA's WaterSense program notes that the low-flow toilets of the 1990s were sometimes associated with performance problems such as double flushing, but that WaterSense-labeled toilets sold today, which use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, far outperform traditional toilets from the 1980s and 1990s. They are independently certified for both performance and efficiency, including a waste extraction test. So if your toilet dates from that earlier era, its design may be part of the problem. This post covers the most common causes of repeat clogs, what the local sewer authorities say about flushing, how to tell a toilet problem from a drain line problem, and when replacement makes sense.
What Causes a Toilet to Clog Repeatedly?
A repeat clog is one that comes back after plunging, often within days or weeks. The usual causes:
Items that should not be flushed, such as wipes, paper towels, and sanitary products
An older, poorly performing toilet, including early low-flow models the EPA describes as prone to double flushing
A blockage deeper in the pipes, which Oatey, a plumbing products manufacturer, says is likely when plunging and other DIY methods fail after 20 to 30 minutes
A main sewer line problem, such as root intrusion or a damaged lateral, especially when other drains are slow too
Are Flushable Wipes Safe for Your Toilet?
No. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has said that even so-called "flushable" wipes should not go in the toilet, and that the only things to flush are toilet paper and human waste. DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell warned that improper flushing can damage your own sewer pipes as well as the treatment plants everyone depends on.
The problem shows up in local sewers, not just in household pipes. In the same April 2020 report from CBS Pittsburgh, South Park Township cautioned residents that flushing non-flushable items may cause expensive sanitary sewer backups, not only in their own home but in a neighbor's home as well. The township asked residents to put tissues, paper towels, and wipes in the trash instead of flushing them or sending them down basement drains.
Keep these out of the toilet, based on the DEP, South Park Township, and Oatey lists:
Wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable
Paper towels
Tissues
Sanitary products
Is It the Toilet or the Drain Line?
Where the problem shows up tells you a lot. A single toilet that clogs while everything else drains normally points to the toilet or the short section of pipe right below it. Several fixtures acting up at once points further down the line.
All Pro's drain cleaning page lists the signs that call for more than a plunger: slow drains, gurgling sounds, foul odors, frequent clogs, and multiple clogged drains. Its sewer line page adds multiple drain backups, gurgling toilets, sewage odors, wet spots in the yard, and slow drains throughout the house.
If more than one drain is involved, our guides on what causes slow drains and whether tree roots can crack your sewer line explain the next steps.
How Do You Clear a Toilet Clog Safely?
Oatey says a flange plunger is ideal for toilets because it creates a better seal. Its steps and Consumer Reports' advice line up:
Turn off the water to the toilet first, which Consumer Reports says keeps it from overflowing while you work.
If the bowl is at or near the rim, remove enough water that it will not spill when the plunger goes in, but leave some. Oatey says the pressure from the water helps push the blockage through.
Insert the flange into the drain, push down gently to form a seal, then pull up sharply and repeat quickly.
If plunging fails, a closet auger (toilet snake) is the next tool. Oatey says to turn the handle clockwise while gently feeding it down the drain to snag or break up the obstruction.
Skip chemical drain cleaners. Oatey does not recommend them for toilets because the harsh chemicals can damage the toilet's finish, and Consumer Reports warns that Drano is highly corrosive and can damage pipes.
If the clog keeps coming back, the blockage may be farther down the line than these tools reach, and professional drain cleaning makes sense. Our post on what hydro jetting is and whether you need it covers one of the tools plumbers use for stubborn line buildup.
Should You Replace a Toilet That Keeps Clogging?
Replacement is worth considering when the clogs are frequent, the drain line checks out clean, and the toilet is an older model. The EPA says older toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush, while the federal standard is 1.6 gallons and WaterSense models use 1.28 gallons or less.
The EPA also puts numbers on the water savings. Replacing older toilets with WaterSense-labeled models can cut toilet water use by 20 to 60 percent, which the agency says can save nearly 13,000 gallons of water per household each year and more than $170 per year in water costs.
WaterSense labeled models are independently certified, so the label is a quick way to narrow the choices. If your toilet has a different problem, such as water running constantly between flushes, see how to fix a running toilet in your home.
When Should You Call a Plumber for a Clogged Toilet?
Call a plumber when:
The toilet clogs more than occasionally, even with normal use
A plunger does not clear it
More than one drain is slow or backing up
Water comes up in a sink, tub, or shower when the toilet is flushed
You hear gurgling from other drains or smell sewage, which All Pro's sewer line page lists as warning signs
Consumer Reports says you need professional help when a plunger cannot clear the toilet or when there is a main line stoppage between the house and the street. Oatey points to 20 to 30 minutes of unsuccessful plunging or DIY attempts as the sign the clog may be deep in the pipes or caused by a solid object. All Pro's drain cleaning uses video inspection to find the problem, so the blockage can be located instead of guessed at.
FAQ
Why does my toilet clog so easily?
Common reasons include flushing items other than toilet paper and human waste, an older toilet that flushes poorly, or a blockage deeper in the pipes.
Are low-flow toilets more likely to clog?
The EPA says early low-flow toilets from the 1990s sometimes had performance problems, but WaterSense-labeled toilets sold today far outperform toilets from the 1980s and 1990s.
Can I flush wipes labeled flushable?
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection says no. Only toilet paper and human waste should be flushed.
What does it mean when the toilet and tub are both clogged?
Consumer Reports says water coming up in places such as a sink or shower means waste is backed up farther in the pipes, so the problem is past the toilet itself.
How much water does a WaterSense toilet use?
1.28 gallons per flush or less, compared with the 1.6-gallon federal standard and up to 6 gallons for some older toilets, according to the EPA.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner on a clogged toilet?
No. Oatey says drain cleaners can damage a toilet's finish, and Consumer Reports warns that Drano is highly corrosive and can damage pipes. Start with a flange plunger and call a plumber if that does not work.
Drain Cleaning and Toilet Installation in the South Hills
All Pro Plumbing Heating & Cooling clears clogs from simple sink and toilet blockages to main line stoppages, using video inspection to find the problem and hydro-jetting for tough buildup, and it installs new toilets, faucets, sinks, showers, and tubs. John Oakes, a Registered Master Plumber, founded the company in 2006 as a home-based family business, and it now serves Bethel Park, the South Hills, and Allegheny and Washington counties from its own office on Library Road. Pricing is upfront and per job, and 24/7 emergency service is available. See drain cleaning and fixture installation.
Visit All Pro Plumbing or call 412-595-8204 today. Contact us for more information.
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