If you have a toilet in your home that never seems to flush right and requires two, or even three flushes for everything to clear, it can be frustrating. Or, you may have a toilet that constantly gets clogged, no matter what you do. Instead of reminding any visitors to your home to flush the toilet a certain way, it may be time to address your toilet troubles. Here are some ways to solve your problem toilet once and for all.
Get Out the Plunger
Your first step with a troublesome toilet is to get out your plunger. If your toilet is still having problems flushing after you’ve plunged, try again. Make sure you’re using a heavy duty plunger to clear the clog instead of something that isn’t powerful enough. In many situations, homeowners only partially plunge the clog, leaving the toilet more vulnerable to another, bigger clog in the future. Be sure your plunging technique is forceful enough and effective.
Switch Toilet Paper Brands
Your toilet paper may also be the factor that’s causing your toilet to have so many problems. If you have a septic system, it’s essential to use a septic-friendly brand in your toilet. It’s best to avoid toilet paper with fancy prints or colors if you have a sensitive or temperamental toilet. Additionally, if you have children in your family, make sure they’re not flushing too much paper down after they use the bathroom.
Avoid Flushing Everything Else
Next, make sure no one in your household is flushing anything else down the toilet. Make it a rule that the only thing that goes down the toilet is toilet paper. Baby wipes, feminine products, medicine, paper towels, dental floss, and hair should never be flushed down the toilet. Over time, these foreign materials may either build up along your pipes or get caught on the way down and cause your flushing to be problematic.
Remove Hard Water Deposits
Some homeowners experience problems with their toilet completely draining and flushing if they have hard water. If you know you have hard water, it could also be causing issues with your pipes and your toilet, such as hard water deposits building up over time. There are a few ways to reduce the number of deposits within your pipes. A licensed plumber can help you clear out your drains with a special solution that gets poured into the toilet.
Check the Flapper Chain
In some situations, a problem toilet can actually be fixed pretty easily. One thing to check after you’ve plunged for hours without relief is under the tank. Remove the toilet tank and check the flapper chain’s tension. Flush the toilet and see if the tension is too loose. A loose chain may make it much more difficult for your toilet to drain completely, making it necessary to flush more than once.
Call a Plumber
The next step to take is to call a licensed plumber to help further diagnose your toilet’s issues. A professional can help out with plumbing tricks and tips and clear out a significant clog if your plunger can’t handle the job. Your plumber can give you better recommendations to keep your toilet flowing and avoid multiple flushes.
Replace the Toilet
Finally, the last piece of advice to take in this situation is to replace your toilet if nothing else works. Some older toilets may not be able to handle the demands of a busy household, so replacement is the easiest fix. Or, maybe the toilet model you currently have isn’t effective. Today, there are many toilet options on the market that can be less disruptive to your routine. Here’s a review of the best flushing toilets out on the market.
It’s time to take action and solve your toilet’s chronic flushing problems. Whether you need a plumber, a good plunge, or a replacement, there is a way to finally find a solution.
