Reasons Why Your Toilet May Keep Clogging

Toilet blockages can occur for many reasons, some more obvious than others. That being said, the most common causes of clogged toilets can be boiled down to one of five issues: mechanical malfunctions, like a faulty flapper; structural blockages with the trap or vent; external factors like sewer lines, age (older models have low-flow); or someone flushing things that aren't meant to be flushed, whether it be accidental or not.

Depending on the severity, you can clear out a select few of these root causes on your own — though it's never a bad idea to call for assistance, anyway. That said, most clogs must be dealt with by more impressive and professional means, like a seasoned plumber with a snake or a roto-rooter for those emergencies. Worst case scenario, if clogging seems to be a routine occurrence, and a plunger, liquid drain cleaner, or snake aren't effective, your plumber might need to do a more in-depth visual diagnosis by taking live video footage using a sewer line camera.

A plumbing vent has a very important job, but its location leaves it prime for becoming stopped up. That's because this piping goes directly up through the roof of your house, leaving it exposed to the elements, flying debris, and possible animal activity. If not properly covered, it's the perfect little spot to build a nest. The primary purpose of a plumbing vent is to prevent gasses and smells from entering your home. It also helps regulate air pressure in the piping, which allows your toilet to get a nice, full flush. If there happens to be a blockage at the top, then the toilet will have much weaker flushes because of improper air displacement. The fix is to have it cleaned by you or a professional.

Another common blockage concerns the toilet's anatomy and lack of water. The toilet trap is located between the bowl and the drainpipe, and its sole purpose is to prevent sewer smells from backing up from the toilet bowl. A lack of water and pressure stemming from mechanical or external forces can cause easily flushable items to become blocked in the toilet trap. This is easily remedied with a nice, good plunge to release the blockage. But if this doesn't work, you'd best call a professional.

If your toilet is prone to clogging, and you have a first-generation eco-toilet, this could be the issue. Low-flow toilets were first brought on the market in the early 1990s when the United States passed a law mandating that toilets made after 1992 were prohibited from using more than 1.6 gallons per flush. It's been many decades since, and modern-day conservation toilets have more flushing power and use even less water.

If your aging low-flow loo tends to get overwhelmed, you might want to try swapping out the float for a different version or adjusting the setting so more water fills the tank. The float is located in the back chamber of the porcelain throne and attaches to the fill valve. Once you flush, the float begins to rise with the water level. If it's broken, obstructed, or set too low, you'll get a weaker flush.