How to Avoid Having to Unclog a Toilet

Posted: Jan 17, 2012
Author: Minyard Plumbing, Inc.

It's happened to all of us at one time or another – a clogged toilet. There is never a good or bad time to be faced with this unsavory crisis, so avoid certain habits that cause the problem. Cleaning toilet bowls often is recommended to help prevent the build up of dirt and bacteria. Scrub the bowl as well as the rim to get rid of all build up. Dispose of feminine hygiene products separately.

Often the luxurious 3-ply toilet paper we buy can cause problems. Due to its thickness, it sometimes doesn’t dissolve completely in water and can plug up the plumbing. Paper towels and tissues are not designed to break up and dissolve and should never be used in the toilet.

Beware! Small children love toilets! They will throw in their toys and watch them flush away with great glee. With their awkward shapes, these toys will often block pipes and cause a lot of trouble. Keep the bathroom door closed when kids are around; it’s safer and more hygienic.

Your local plumber has a range of tools that will solve your clogged toilet problems quickly. After assessing the clog, he may use a power snake, which can reach a long distance and unclog the toilet quickly. Many plumbers use cameras that can be fed into the pipes. They are effective in determining what the blockage is caused from. A computer monitor displays what is seen inside the plumbing, and he will be able to fix the problem.