Did you know that a single milliliter of wastewater can harbor ? While not all those microorganisms are pathogens, many are, such as E. coli and Legionella.
Unfortunately, a clogged toilet can allow all that germ-filled wastewater to gush out. If this happens, you’re not only at risk of infectious illnesses; your home may also get flooded.
For those reasons, it’s vital to learn the top causes of a clogged toilet so that you can avoid or prevent them. That’s exactly what we’ll cover in this post, so be sure to read on.
1. Flushing Objects Other Than the 3 Ps
The 3 Ps stand for pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. Toilet flushes are powerful enough to disintegrate these types of waste.
However, the force of flushes can’t handle other items, even those labeled flushable. In fact, a group of Canadian researchers tested 23 of these so-called flushable wipes. ; meaning, they didn’t break down or pass through the sewer system safely.
So, any other paper not specifically designed for toilets should never go down the seat. Don’t flush cotton (pads or swabs), makeup remover sheets, or facial wipes either. These items may take a long time to disintegrate in the pipes; as such, they might cause toilet clogs.
2. FOG Build Up
FOG stands for fats, oil, and grease produced or used during cooking activities. Dumping liquid FOG down kitchen drains is a big no-no, as these can gelatinize within drain pipes. They start to congeal at temperatures higher than the freezing point of water.
In short, it doesn’t need to be winter for fats, oil, or grease to form a jelly-like state inside drain pipes.
Unfortunately, FOG formations can occur within your home’s main drain. This is the huge drain pipe to which all other drain pipes (including those for your toilet) connect. So, if the main drain gets clogged, most of, if not all, your other drains and toilets will suffer the same fate.
3. Fatbergs in the Main Drain or Municipal Sewer Line
Fatbergs are the culmination of FOG, waste, and items that should never go down drains. They can float like icebergs (hence, the berg in fatberg), or they can get stuck in drain pipes and sewers. Either way, they clog up drains and sewers, and their cleanup costs the US about .
If there’s a fatberg in your main drain or sewer lateral, it can lead to a clogged toilet. You should call a plumber as soon as possible, as it may not be long before you experience plumbing backups. You can also learn more here about what to do if you encounter such a plumbing emergency.
Don’t Let a Clogged Toilet Flood Your Home with Waste
As you can see, improper flushing and waste disposal are the primary causes of a clogged toilet. That’s why it’s vital to know what you can flush (and pour down the drain) from what you shouldn’t.
If you have an existing problem, though, call the best plumber in town. The sooner they fix a clogged toilet in your home, the less you have to worry about wastewater backups.
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