While a clogged toilet can be a nuisance, it should also be treated as a plumbing emergency. The blockage can cause water damage and can put your family’s health at risk if raw sewage ends up on the floor. Before this happens in your house, call The Super Plumber - Plumbing and Drain Services. Our experts can provide toilet repairs and installations to the Nanaimo, BC area. We provide 24-hour emergency plumbing services!
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How to Prevent Toilet Clogs
To avoid a plumbing emergency, backed-up toilets need to be repaired as soon as possible. If left untreated, clogged toilets can cause damage to your home, and an overflow of sewage can even lead to health problems for your family.
To prevent clogged toilets and the issues that can come with them, follow these tips:
- Never flush disposable diapers or wipes.
- Don’t place large wads of toilet paper into the toilet.
- Never flush paper towels.
- Don’t place items like Q-tips or other beauty and hygiene products in the toilet.
- Avoid flushing hair trimmings or nail clippings.
- Keep a wastebasket near the toilet to remind yourself and others to throw non-flushable items there.
Professional Solutions to Clogged Toilets
Is your plunger not removing the blockage in your toilet? It can be time to call in a professional. When you schedule services with a plumber, the technician not only brings his or her expertise to the issue, but he or she will also bring professional tools to dislodge the clog. In most cases, a plumber will use an auger or hydro jetting method to remove the blockage.
An auger is a tool specifically designed for toilets. It consists of a hollow tube attached to an elbow fitting that’s covered by a rubber sleeve to protect the toilet bowl from scratches. The auger has a flexible cable that is fed through the toilet drain with a hand crank to dislodge the clog.
With hydro jetting, a plumber will insert a high-pressure hose with special nozzles into the drain. The hose is then connected to a machine that pressurizes the water, creating a force to dislodge the clog.
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Signs Your Toilet Needs to Be Replaced
Is your toilet starting to clog more frequently? Is it starting to form leaks? These are just a couple of signs that can indicate you need to replace it. If you notice the following signs you should contact a plumber to have a new unit installed:
- Age: If your toilet is older and requires a lot of replacement parts to keep it functioning, it can be more cost-effective to replace the toilet with a new model.
- Cracks: Because most toilets are made of porcelain, cracks can develop in the bowl and tank cover. While these might start as hairline fractures, they can expand and eventually cause serious water damage to your home.
- Frequent clogs: Older toilets might have design issues that prevent water from properly pushing through it with enough force. This can cause clogs to occur.
- Wear and tear: As your toilet ages it can develop scratches from wear and tear. These scratches can show stains and cause dirt to cling to them, making the toilet more difficult to clean.
- Increased utility bills: Older toilets may use more water than newer models. If you notice an increase in your utility bills it can signal it’s time to replace the toilet.
