A clogged toilet is a familiar household frustration. Residents can often solve the problem themselves, but it sometimes requires professional toilet repair. Clogs occur for many reasons. Below are some of the most common. 

What Can Cause a Clogged Toilet?

1. Flushing Items That Shouldn’t Be Flushed

Toilets are only meant to receive human waste and toilet tissue. Other items are not designed to biodegrade quickly and can lead to clogs.

For example, paper towels, cotton balls, and baby wipes do not belong in a toilet. Any of these items can become lodged in the trap or the sewer pipe and result in the need for toilet repairs.

2. Clogged Plumbing Vent

The movement of water through plumbing pipes can result in air pressure vacuums that cause problems with the flow. To resolve this, some modern plumbing systems connect the pipes to a plumbing vent on the roof. This lets in enough air to keep the water flowing properly.

If the plumbing air vent becomes clogged with leaves, twigs, or other debris, it can cause your toilet to gurgle or seize up when flushing. Before you call the plumber, make sure your plumbing vent is clear, as that may resolve the issue.

3. Early Low-Flow Toilets

Modern toilets use new technology to reduce the amount of water needed to flush waste effectively. However, early low-flow toilets from the 1990s often do not produce enough pressure to push waste through the trap and down the sewage pipe.

If you have one of these toilets, be careful of using too much toilet paper and avoid flushing anything else. You may also need to flush twice to ensure all the contents are removed.

If you have a bad clog or another plumbing issue, contact GNG Plumbing and The Hardware Store in Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, AL. They have served residents of Baldwin County for more than 30 years. In addition to toilet repair, they also specialize in water heater and garbage disposal installation and sewer line cleaning. Message them online through their website or call (251) 974-5630 to arrange plumbing services.