5 Common Things That Can Clog Your Toilet

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What Can Clog A Toilet?

A clogged toilet is one of the most frustrating household plumbing problems. It can be difficult to know what to do when your toilet is clogged, and it can be even more difficult to figure out what caused the clog in the first place.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of toilet clogs, as well as some tips on how to prevent them. We’ll also provide some troubleshooting tips to help you get your toilet unclogged quickly and easily.

So if you’re dealing with a clogged toilet, read on for help!

What Can Clog A Toilet? Symptoms Solution
Toilet paper The toilet won’t flush, or it flushes slowly and partially. Flush the toilet with a plunger or use a toilet auger to clear the clog.
Fecal matter The toilet won’t flush, or it flushes slowly and partially. Flush the toilet with a plunger or use a toilet auger to clear the clog.
Toys The toilet won’t flush, or it flushes slowly and partially. Remove the toy with a pair of pliers or a toilet auger.
Paper towels The toilet won’t flush, or it flushes slowly and partially. Flush the toilet with a plunger or use a toilet auger to clear the clog.
Diapers The toilet won’t flush, or it flushes slowly and partially. Remove the diaper with a pair of pliers or a toilet auger.

Solid Objects

There are many different types of solid objects that can clog a toilet, including:

  • Toilet paper is the most common cause of toilet clogs. When toilet paper is flushed, it should break down and dissolve in the water. However, if too much toilet paper is flushed at once, or if the toilet paper is too thick or dense, it can clump together and form a clog.
  • Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads, are designed to absorb fluids. When they are flushed down the toilet, they can expand and block the drain.
  • Baby wipes are another common cause of toilet clogs. Baby wipes are not designed to be flushed down the toilet, and they can easily clog the drain.
  • Tampons are designed to be inserted into the vagina, and they should not be flushed down the toilet. Tampons can expand when they come into contact with water, and they can block the drain.
  • Pet waste, such as cat litter and dog feces, can also clog a toilet. Pet waste is often solid and dense, and it can easily block the drain.
  • Grease is another common cause of toilet clogs. Grease can solidify and form a clog in the drain.
  • Food is another type of solid object that can clog a toilet. Food particles can stick together and form a clog.
  • Hair is another common cause of toilet clogs. Hair can wrap around the toilet bowl and form a clog.
  • Toys and other small objects can also be flushed down the toilet and cause a clog.

If you suspect that a solid object is causing a clog in your toilet, you should not attempt to remove it yourself. Trying to remove a clog without the proper tools or knowledge can damage your toilet. Instead, you should call a plumber to help you remove the clog.

Liquids

There are also a number of liquids that can clog a toilet, including:

  • Pee is not typically a cause of toilet clogs. However, if there is a lot of pee in the toilet bowl, it can start to pool and form a clog.
  • Poo is more likely to cause a clog than pee. Poo is solid, and it can easily block the drain.
  • Vomit can also cause a clog if it is flushed down the toilet. Vomit is often liquidy and thick, and it can easily block the drain.
  • Soap can cause a clog if it is not rinsed off completely before flushing the toilet. Soap can form a film on the inside of the toilet bowl, and this film can block the drain.
  • Cleaning products can also cause a clog if they are not rinsed off completely before flushing the toilet. Cleaning products can be harsh on the toilet bowl, and they can leave behind a residue that can block the drain.
  • Oil can cause a clog if it is flushed down the toilet. Oil is a liquid, but it can solidify when it comes into contact with cold water. This can cause a clog in the drain.
  • Other liquids, such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, and food scraps, can also cause a clog if they are flushed down the toilet.

If you suspect that a liquid is causing a clog in your toilet, you should not attempt to remove it yourself. Trying to remove a clog without the proper tools or knowledge can damage your toilet. Instead, you should call a plumber to help you remove the clog.

There are many different types of objects and liquids that can clog a toilet. If you suspect that a clog is causing problems with your toilet, you should not attempt to remove it yourself. Trying to remove a clog without the proper tools or knowledge can damage your toilet. Instead, you should call a plumber to help you remove the clog.

Combinations of Solids and Liquids

When solids and liquids combine, they can create a clog that is difficult to remove. Some of the most common combinations that cause clogs include:

  • Toilet paper and pee: Toilet paper is designed to dissolve in water, but when it is flushed with pee, it can clump together and form a clog. This is especially common if you flush too much toilet paper at once.
  • Feminine hygiene products and pee: Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads, are not designed to be flushed down the toilet. When they are flushed, they can wrap around other objects and create a clog.
  • Baby wipes and pee: Baby wipes are also not designed to be flushed down the toilet. They are made from a material that is not biodegradable, and they can clog pipes and sewer systems.
  • Tampons and pee: Tampons are designed to absorb fluids, and when they are flushed down the toilet, they can absorb pee and expand. This can create a large clog that is difficult to remove.
  • Pet waste and pee: Pet waste, such as cat litter and dog feces, can contain solids and liquids that can clog toilets. If you have pets, it is important to scoop their waste regularly and flush it down the toilet in small amounts.
  • Grease and pee: Grease is a type of fat that can solidify when it cools. When it is flushed down the toilet, it can coat the inside of the pipes and create a clog. This is especially common if you pour grease down the drain after cooking.
  • Food and pee: Food scraps can also clog toilets. When they are flushed, they can stick together and form a clog. This is especially common if you flush large pieces of food down the toilet.
  • Hair and pee: Hair can also clog toilets. When it is flushed, it can wrap around other objects and create a clog. This is especially common if you have long hair and you do not clean the hair out of the drain regularly.
  • Toys and pee: Toys can also clog toilets. If you flush a toy down the toilet, it can get stuck in the pipes and create a clog. This is especially common if you have small children who play with toys in the bathroom.
  • Other objects and pee: Other objects, such as paper towels, Q-tips, and cotton balls, can also clog toilets. If you flush these objects down the toilet, they can get stuck in the pipes and create a clog.

Other Factors That Can Cause Clogs

In addition to combinations of solids and liquids, there are a number of other factors that can cause clogs in toilets. These factors include:

  • Old pipes: Old pipes can become corroded and damaged, which can lead to clogs. This is especially common in homes that are more than 20 years old.
  • Low water pressure: Low water pressure can make it difficult to flush solids down the toilet. This can lead to clogs, especially if you flush too much toilet paper at once.
  • Clogged drain traps: Drain traps are located under the sink and toilet. They are designed to catch solids and prevent them from entering the sewer system. If the drain traps become clogged, they can prevent water from flowing out of the toilet and create a clog.
  • Misaligned toilet: If the toilet is not properly aligned, it can cause the water to flow back into the bowl. This can create a clog, especially if you flush too much toilet paper at once.
  • Over-flushing: Over-flushing can also cause clogs. When you flush the toilet too often, you can force solids into the pipes and create a clog. This is especially common if you flush items that are not supposed to be flushed down the toilet, such as feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and paper towels.

Clogs can be a frustrating and time-consuming problem to deal with. However, there are a number of things you can do to prevent them. Here are a few tips:

  • Flush only toilet paper and pee down the toilet. Do not flush feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, paper towels, or other objects down the toilet.
  • Scrape food scraps into the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet.
  • Clean the hair out of the drain regularly.
  • Flush the toilet regularly, even if it is not in use. This will help to keep the pipes flowing freely.
  • Have your pipes inspected and cleaned regularly. This will help to prevent major clogs from occurring.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your toilets clog-free.

What Can Clog a Toilet?

  • Paper towels are a common cause of toilet clogs. They do not dissolve in water and can build up over time, causing a blockage.
  • Baby wipes are another common culprit. They are not flushable, and they can clog pipes just like paper towels.
  • Feminine hygiene products should never be flushed down the toilet. They can cause major blockages.
  • Hair is a common problem, especially in homes with long-haired people. Hair can wrap around the drain and prevent water from flowing through.
  • Food scraps can also cause clogs. They can break down and create a thick sludge that clogs the pipes.
  • Toys and other small objects can be flushed down the toilet by children, and they can cause major problems.

How Can I Prevent Toilet Clogs?

  • Don’t flush anything that is not toilet paper. This includes paper towels, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, hair, food scraps, toys, and other small objects.
  • Rinse out food scraps before putting them in the trash. This will help to prevent them from clogging the pipes.
  • Clean the toilet regularly. This will help to remove any build-up that could cause a clog.
  • Use a plunger to clear minor clogs. If you do experience a clog, try using a plunger to clear it before calling a plumber.

What Should I Do If I Have a Toilet Clog?

  • If you can’t clear the clog with a plunger, you may need to call a plumber.
  • Before you call, try to determine the location of the clog. This will help the plumber to diagnose the problem and fix it quickly.
  • If you have a septic tank, you should be aware that flushing certain things down the toilet can damage the system. This includes things like oil, grease, and chemicals.

Additional Tips

  • If you have a garbage disposal, make sure to grind food scraps up completely before running the disposal. This will help to prevent them from clogging the pipes.
  • If you have a slow-draining toilet, you can try pouring a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar down the drain. This will help to loosen any clogs and clear the drain.
  • You can also try using a commercial drain cleaner to clear a clog. However, be sure to follow the directions on the product label carefully.

Clogged toilets are a common problem, but they can be prevented and fixed. By following these tips, you can keep your toilet running smoothly and avoid costly plumbing repairs.

there are many different things that can clog a toilet. Some of the most common culprits include:

  • Toilet paper
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Baby wipes
  • Hair
  • Grease
  • Food
  • Toys

It is important to be aware of what can clog a toilet so that you can take steps to prevent it from happening. By following the tips in this article, you can help keep your toilet clear and functioning properly.

Here are some key takeaways:

  • Always flush toilet paper down the toilet.
  • Do not flush feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, or hair down the toilet.
  • Clean the trap under your sink regularly to prevent grease from building up.
  • Avoid flushing large objects or food down the toilet.
  • If your toilet does become clogged, try using a plunger or a drain snake to clear the blockage.
  • If you are unable to clear the clog yourself, call a plumber.

By following these tips, you can help keep your toilet clog-free and functioning properly.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.