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What are the Reasons Behind a Clogged Toilet?
Imagine this. You are alone in your home, in deep sleep, and then you have the urge to go to the washroom. You go there and find out that your toilet is clogged! You try hard to unclog it, but nothing is working out.
Such a scenario can create a huge mess in your day-to-day life. It’s not only a mere inconvenience but can also lead to an unsanitary situation at home.
So, don’t let such a situation trouble you and take all of your time. Go to the roots of your problem, inspect it, and call an expert in drain cleaning to deal with the nuisance.
This blog will ensure that you never have to face such a situation again! But before that, let us see how a toilet works in the first place! So, let’s dive in.
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How Your Toilet Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
Hi homeowner! Has it ever occurred to you what goes on behind every flush of the toilet? Take this very interesting journey into explaining almost every nut and bolt of how a toilet actually works!
1. The Flush Mechanism
The flush mechanism ensures that when the handle or button is depressed, it triggers a trip to pull open the flush valve. Water is filled through the tank in a bowl by gravity as well as water pressure. It clears out the waste and is generally siphoned to a chain or a rod. This opens the flapper to allow water flow.
2. The Tank and Bowl
Your toilet has two main parts: the tank and the bowl. The tank holds water, typically in a capacity of 6-8 liters. But based on the model, it could be slightly more than that. The bowl is for waste, and it is also placed next to the drain pipe area. When you remove the handle and hold it underneath, water from the tank pours into the bowl through the small holes or jets. The water swirls clockwise to force the waste downward through the drain.
3. The Flush Valve and Flapper
Within the tank, you will find a flush valve that is linked together by a rubber flap. The valve swings open to let the flapper rise so as to let water into the bowl when flushed. After all the water has been used up in the tank, the flapper shuts, thus stopping any water supply. This, in return, creates the vacuum effect whereby the waste material is sucked down the drain easily.
4. The Siphoning Action
With the help of water that enters the bowl, the waste is siphoned, and the water from the bowl is sent to the drain pipe. This waste then goes into the septic tank or the sewerage. Siphoning action is developed by the shape of the bowl and the water movement. The design of the bowl is usually very good for cleaning and waste disposal.
5. The Trapway and Trap
The curved path at the bottom of the bowl helps keep sewage gases from entering your house and holds water. The trap is also known as an S-trap and is a curved pipe located under the bowl that is connected to the drainpipe. Creating a water seal assists in keeping sewer gases from penetrating your home.
6. Gravity and Pressure
Gravity is also the fundamental force that is used in transporting the wastes and water to the drain. Water pressure also ensures a smooth flow of water on the tramway to enable wastes to be flushed down the sewers. The two forces make sure that there is maximum elimination of waste.
7. Refilling Process
After that, the tank will be filled with water through the supply line. The balls, or float valves, of the tank control the refill action by shutting down the water supply when the tank is full. This valve usually is screwed on a float that rises with water inside the tank and closes the valve when the tank is full.
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How Does Clogging of Toilet Occur?
Unclogging a toilet can be quite a difficult task. But don’t worry; it is not impossible! If you choose the right tools and the right process, your worries will fade away quickly. But to do so, you need to know how the clogging happened in the first place. So, let’s find out the reasons one by one!
1. Too Much Toilet Paper
I guess we’ve all been there—you waste a lot of tissues, and the next thing you know, your toilet is blocked by it! This especially happens if you use a toilet that has a low water pressure system in place.
2. Flushing Non-Flushable Items
Do not flush water, including wipes, sanitary products, cotton balls, and paper towels. These DO NOT dissolve with water, and most of them are known to clog huge drains. So, throw them into the dustbins!
3. Low-flow Toilets
Low-flow toilets use little water; they may, however, flush poorly and be a failure sometimes. If, for instance, the toilet is stuck often, one may decide to replace it with a more efficient, low-flow one.
4. Old Plumbing
Simple as it may sound, a clogged toilet may be brought about by outdated plumbing systems. Iron and other minerals sometimes accumulate along the inner linings of pipes and may lead to restriction of water flow. You can opt for the installation of new and up-to-date pipes.
5. Toilet Trap Blockage
The toilet trap is the curved part inside the pipe of the internal plumbing and is always sealed off from sewer gases. At times, beads, toiletries, or additional amounts of toilet paper stuff the trap. If it is clogged, you can try to plunge it. Otherwise, you might need to call a plumber!
Now, let’s check out the solutions to these problems!
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Unclog Your Toilet with Ease
Learn about the hazards of a blocked toilet so that you don’t have a terrible day with this inconvenience. Try these simple solutions:
1. Plunge Like a Pro
Just grab a plunger and start plunging away the clogs in your bathroom and kitchen sinks, bathtub, shower, and other fixtures. Ensure the rubber part of the plunger is placed right over the blocked drain, then push down and pull up with vigor. Continue rinsing until the clog is washed away.
2. Auger to the Rescue
If plunging doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to bring in the big guns: an auger! Insert the auger cable into the drain and push it in until you hear the cable getting stuck partway; turn and try to twist it and pull it out to remove the clog.
3. Chemical Cleaners
On some occasions, you might need to call in a chemical drain cleaner for the tough clogs. Just be careful to follow instructions as given and, where possible, apply necessary safety measures.
4. Natural Remedies
You can go natural! Add 1 cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl and then add 1 cup of vinegar to it. Leave it in the bowl for a few hours, and then flush it down.
5. Call in the Pros
In case none of the above suggestions has been fruitful, it is high time to contact an experienced plumber for your toilet repair. They will have the equipment and knowledge to repair the issue and have your toilet back to normal.
A blocked toilet is not something that should plague your mind! Use these remedies and bounce back to your normal bathroom within no time.
Read More About:
- Warning Signs Your Home’s Water Quality Needs Testing
- Hydro Jetting vs. Snaking: Best Fix for Your Drain Problems
- What is a Sewer Backflow Preventer and How Does It Work?
- Cleaning vs. Clearing Drains: Breaking Down the Difference
Avail of our services at Preferred Plumbing and Drain!
Got a clogged toilet? Don’t let it spoil your day! When in need of fast and quality services in plumbing or drain services, or water heater repair, contact Preferred Plumbing and Drain Company.
Our friendly plumbers in Modesto, CA will get to your property within the hour with all the necessary equipment and methods to fix your toilet today.
You can schedule an appointment online or dial in today and talk to a live agent anytime on any day of the week. We are here to unclog your toilet so that you can get back to doing the things that you want to do!
