Tips to Better Care for a Home’s Toilets
Nobody wants their daily routine to be disrupted by unexpected toilet problems and clogs, so it’s important that people know how to better care for their toilets by preventing clogs and knowing how to identify problems.
This post will share important things for homeowners to know about their toilets, including signs that toilet repair or replacement is needed, ways to help avoid clogged toilets, and the connection between toilets and sewer lines.
Signs a Toilet Needs Repair or Replacement
When toilet repair or replacement is needed, there are warning signs that can alert homeowners to call a plumber. Common signs to repair or replace a toilet include:
- A running toilet
- Damage like cracks in the toilet tank or bowl
- A leaking toilet
- Weak or incomplete flushes
- A frequently clogging toilet
In addition to these toilet problems indicating the need to repair or replace the toilet, there are other signs that point to the need for toilet replacement. Toilets that need repairs too often and toilets that are over 25 years old should be replaced rather than continued to be repaired. Toilets that are old and inefficient waste water and money, because older toilets often use more than 3.5 gallons of water per flush, compared to modern, efficient toilets that use 1.28 gallons or less.
How to Help Prevent Clogged Toilets
Preventing toilet clogs starts with understanding what should and shouldn't get flushed. The most common cause of toilet blockages is flushing inappropriate items that don't dissolve properly in water. Only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed. Other items like cotton balls and rounds, paper towels, wipes, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, and more should not be flushed as they can cause a clogged toilet. Even if they don’t immediately cause a toilet clog, they can cause clogs in the sewer line.
Even though toilet paper can get flushed, it’s important to know that flushing too much at once can also clog the toilet. Using less toilet paper can help avoid clogs, but that’s not always an option. When needing to use more toilet paper, a two-flush approach can help. Flushing smaller amounts of toilet paper with each flush can help prevent clogged toilets.
The Connection Between Sewer Lines and Toilet Performance
Sewer lines and toilets impact each other, so to help prevent toilet problems like frequent clogging and toilet backups, it’s also important to prevent a clogged sewer line. Understanding this crucial connection can help avoid costly repairs and maintain proper plumbing function. A sewer line clog can create a domino effect throughout the plumbing system. When the line clogs, wastewater has nowhere to go but back up, which can cause backups and toilets that consistently seem clogged.
Sewer line clogs can be caused by flushing the wrong things down toilets, making preventing clogged toilets also important for preventing a sewer line clog. However, putting the wrong things down other drains can also cause sewer line clogs, so it’s important to avoid putting grease, oils, and fats down the drains. When people have a garbage disposal in their kitchen sink, they may think food can be disposed of down the drain, but most foods should not be put down garbage disposals to prevent sewer line clogs and garbage disposal problems.
About Plumb Perfect Plumbing
Plumb Perfect Plumbing is a reliable and experienced plumbing company serving the Stafford area. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and neat and tidy plumbers. Call them for toilet repair and replacement services in Stafford, VA.
