9Feb/110
The Top Causes Of Toilet Clogs
The fact of the matter is that toilets clog more often than they used to. This is because water conservation measures signed in the 1990s reduced the amount of water allowable per flush. In the early 80s traditional toilets would flush as much as 5 gallons of water, but now regulations restrict this amount to 1.6 gallons. With far less water flowing out of the tank and into the toilet bowl you can see why more clogged toilets are the result. While that may be great for the manufacturers of toilet plungers it's not great for the toilet owner. In this article we outline some of the top causes of toilet clogs so that you can be better prepared to prevent them.
- One of the major causes of toilet clogs is toilet paper. Toilet users make matters worse if they have the habit of balling up the toilet paper into large clumps. If you are using a lot of toilet paper is often best to flush any waste in the toilet bowl first and then start a second flush with the toilet paper.
- Another top cause of toilet clogs is feminine hygiene products such as sanitary pads and tampons being flushed down the toilet. Many toilets have quite narrow diameter trap ways and these products will quickly clog up the pipes.
- If you flush large clumps of hair down the toilet on a regular basis this might eventually lead to a clogged toilet. Pet hair will have the same effect.
- Some of the most stubborn clogs to clear away are what are known as "hard clogs". These occur when items such as toothbrushes, children's toys and shampoo bottles are flushed down the toilet, often by mistake.
- When deciding on a toilet freshener to use, it's best to avoid the designs that hang on the edge of the toilet rim. As the plastic hooks age, they have a tendency to become brittle and snap allowing the toilet freshener to fall into the toilet bowl. If the freshener them gets flushed into the trap way it'll most likely cause a clog.