10 Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Stop Clogging

Backed-up toilets are an unpleasant, potentially embarrassing, and surprisingly common occurrence. Plunging a toilet may seem like a quick (if unappealing) fix, but repeated clogs can cause bigger problems that can be costly to resolve. Find out the possible reasons why your toilet keeps clogging and how to stop it from happening in the future.

1. Flushing Non-Flushable Items

One of the most common reasons for a blockage is flushing things down the toilet that you really shouldn't. All that should go into your toilet is waste and toilet paper. However, many people flush things like sanitary products, diapers, paper towels, Q-tips, and dental floss. Flushable wipes might even be a clogging culprit.

Kids especially might be flushing the wrong items down the toilet. Toys, toothbrushes, and other large items can sometimes block your toilet without you even being aware.

How to Fix It

The easiest way to fix this issue is to instruct all members of the household to only flush toilet paper. Keep a trash can in the bathroom so people can easily dispose of things like Q-tips and dental floss. If something larger, like a toy, gets flushed, you can try to reach into the toilet trap and pull it out. But depending on how far into the system it is, you may need to call a plumber to retrieve it and unclog the toilet.

2. Using Too Much Toilet Paper

Are you guilty of pulling a long line of toilet paper off the roll every time you visit the bathroom? While toilet paper should break down, it may not dissolve as effectively when you use too much, leading to clogs. Thick-ply and poor-quality paper are also more likely to cause blockages. 

Tip: Using a solution of baking soda and vinegar to unclog the toilet can dissolve the toilet paper enough to unclog your toilet.

How to Fix It

This is another fairly easy fix. Reducing the amount of paper you use, trying a different brand, or even using a bidet can all help. You may have to check the bathroom periodically if you have kids to make sure they’re flushing regularly as well.

3. Low-Flow Pressure Problems

In the 1990s, manufacturers introduced low-flow toilets in a bid to conserve water. However, they don’t always have the flushing pressure capacity to push the materials through the trap and drain.

How to Fix It

Although reducing the amount of paper you use can help, fixing this issue for good will take a little more effort. Clogs may be inevitable until you install a modern replacement with increased pressure.

4. Clogged Toilet Trap

An S-shape trap found between the toilet bowl and the drain line catches objects and prevents them from causing a more serious blockage further along the drainage system.

Items can become clogged in this section easily, and oftentimes, plunging only dislodges the trapped items rather than removing them. This can result in a bigger problem further down the drainpipe. Also, the longer they sit there, the more likely it is that other things will become attached. 

How to Fix It

If you suspect that a clogged toilet trap is the reason your toilet keeps clogging, it’s best to use a toilet auger to catch and lift the offending items out or call a local plumbing pro for assistance.

5. Blocked Toilet Vent

Toilet vents bring air into the plumbing system, creating greater pressure for flushing and prevents a vacuum from forming. Because the vents have an opening on a home’s roof, debris can become trapped in them, reducing flushing pressure.

How to Fix It

To prevent this from happening, it’s a good idea to check and clean the vents regularly. But, if you’re hosing down a toilet vent and the water is coming back up the pipe, with gurgling sounds are coming from the toilet, there may be a larger blockage that needs clearing with a long auger. You may be able to do this yourself if you’re comfortable climbing onto the roof safely, but it’s better to call a pro to safely and effectively do it for you.

6. Clogged Sewer Line

When items flushed down your toilet make it to your main sewer line, sometimes they get stuck there. It’s a particular problem if tree roots have infiltrated the drainage system or the pipe has broken or is corroding. Usually, when this happens, it won’t just be your toilet that ends up backing up. 

How to Fix It

A clogged sewer line will affect drainage throughout your home, and unfortunately, it’s not a fix you can DIY. Hiring a local sewer line pro is the best course of action to prevent further damage.

7. Water Supply Issues

If the water supply line valve is not fully open, not enough water will be in the bowl for effective flushing. The fill valve, found in the toilet water tank, can also cause problems. If you adjust this too low, it can lead to weak flushing capability. Sometimes the fill valve can also become clogged with hard water scale or debris. 

How to Fix It

Make sure the fill valve is open, so the water can flow freely into the tank and then create enough flushing power to whisk away waste. You can also adjust the height of the fill valve and clean the mechanism to help produce a more powerful flush.

8. Overly Hard Water

When you live in a region with hard water, especially from a well, the mineral buildup this causes inside the drainpipe or toilet trap can lead to more frequent clogs.

How to Fix It

You can periodically do a flush with hot water to help to dissolve any gathering deposits of minerals like calcium.

9. Poor Toilet Design

The shape of your toilet can play a part in the likelihood of clogs. Things like narrow drain openings or oddly angled bowls can affect flush effectiveness. 

How to Fix It

The only real fix for this issue is to purchase a new toilet with a better design. If you're unsure where to start when buying a new toilet, look for one with a high MaP score. This independent agency tests toilets and rates them with a score representing the number of grams of solid waste a toilet removes from the fixture in a single flush.

10. Digestive Issues

Certain medications, medical issues, and diets low in fiber can lead to constipation and large, solid bowel movements. These can play their part in toilet blockages, especially if your toilet's flushing pressure is not particularly powerful.

How to Fix It

If this is a frequent problem, a pressure-assisted toilet could be a worthwhile investment. They push extra water into the bowl with every flush and, consequently, clogs are less likely. You can also work more fiber into your diet and drink more water to help make bowel movements more comfortable and more flushable. 

When to Call a Professional

You can easily break up some toilet clogs with a plunger and remove tougher clogs with a toilet auger. But for a toilet that clogs frequently, there may be other issues at play. A low-flow toilet, low water pressure, a clogged toilet vent, and hard water are issues that may require a new toilet or intervention from a pro. You can hire a plumbing pro to help with big clogs or install a new toilet if you decide to go that route. The average cost to repair a toilet is between $150 and $390.

How to Prevent Frequent Toilet Clogs

If your toilet clogs frequently or easily, there are a few things you can do to prevent it from happening again.

• Use less toilet paper.

• Make sure to only send flushable items into the toilet.

• Replace your low-flow or poorly designed toilet.

• Adjust the water fill valve.

• Keep your digestive system in tip-top shape.