Every year, countless homeowners find themselves hiring the services of local plumbers for toilet-related issues that could have been easily avoided. More often than not, these problems can arise due to the improper disposal of various items in the toilet, whether intentionally or accidentally, that can clog your toilet.
Here are the seven most frequent and most avoidable causes of toilet clogging in family households:
#1. Diapers or baby wipes
Starting a family comes at a high cost. According to a US survey, new parents are likely to spend over $10,000 in baby expenses, ranging from diapers, and clothes, to essential gear.
Baby diapers are on top of the most recurring costs if you opt for non-reusable ones. What you may not realize is that baby diapers can also drive high plumbing fees too. Indeed, new parents often make the accidental mistake of disposing of diapers or baby wipes in the toilet, which will lead to clogging. Additionally, if you change your baby in the bathroom, the risk of the diaper accidentally falling down the toilet is high!
#2. Female hygiene products
Another frequent culprit for toilet clogs is the flushing of female hygiene products, such as tampons and sanitary pads. These items are not designed to be biodegradable. Besides, it is in the nature of the product to expand when exposed to liquid, which will lead to blockages and potential damage to the plumbing system.
So, it is important to ensure no such product will accidentally fall in the toilet while changing. The most common reason for clogs is accidental drop!
#3. Toys
Young children are naturally curious and may view the toilet as a perfect playground. This can often lead to toys being dropped and disposed of in the toilet. From small action figures to rubber ducks, toys can easily find their way into the toilet bowl and cause significant clogs.
In order to prevent issues, you want to ensure that little ones do not bring toys when they go to the bathroom. Additionally, it’s best to keep the bathroom door shut when not in use.
#4. Large pieces of food
It is essential to understand that the toilet is not a garbage disposal unit. Flushing large pieces of food, leftover scraps, or food that has gone bad can lead to serious clogs and plumbing issues.
You want to install a garbage disposer in your kitchen or use compost of food waste to handle these problems.
#5. Loose hair
Hair shedding is a natural occurrence, but the last thing you want to do is remove the loose hair from your brush by flushing it down the toilet. Indeed, over time, hair can accumulate and combine with other materials. This can create stubborn blockages in your plumbing system.
#6. Grease and fat
It can be tempting to pour cooking oil and grease down the toilet to get rid of it. This is unlikely to clog your toilet, but it can lead to damages further down the grid. In the long term, if this causes a blockage in the plumbing system, flushed items may come back to the surface and the toilet could overflow.
#7. Miscellaneous bathroom items
Toilets have a way of becoming a dumping ground for various items, such as dental floss, cotton balls, or even cigarette butts for teens who smoke secretly in the bathroom. These items can easily lead to clogs and sewer line obstructions.
Preventing toilet clogs is a responsibility that every member of the household should share. So, to make things easier, communicate clearly with young children, and prepare easily accessible waste bins for all non-flushable items.
