Common Causes of Toilet Problems

Toilets are reliable bathroom fixtures that usually don't cause many problems. However, getting too comfortable and forming bad toilet maintenance habits might lead to more significant issues down the road. 

We will discuss the primary reasons toilets start to clog or leak so that you can prevent serious trouble. 

Tank cleaning tablets

While cleaning tablets give toilet water a bright blue hue associated with cleanliness, they can cause severe damage. Tank tablets are laden with acidic substances like sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. When not handled with care, they irritate the eyes and skin and even cause chemical burns. They also harm the condition of the toilet. 

Continuous use of cleaning tablets leads to chemical buildup that corrodes the elements of the toilet and damages its inner mechanism. As a result, the toilet will begin to clog and leak. Without a professional assessing the bowl and tank, it's challenging to determine what's causing these issues.

Flushing more than toilet paper

You should only flush toilet paper down the loo. However, using too much toilet paper, especially if it has a lot of cellulose fibers, will clog the toilet as the paper won't disintegrate quickly. 

When homeowners don't have any toilet paper available, they should avoid flushing paper towels. Napkin and paper towels look similar to toilet paper, but they're much stronger and thicker. Their design facilitates easy water absorption so that they won't break down in the toilet bowl. Instead, towels and napkins cause the toilet to back up, halting the entire plumbing system. 

Hygiene products that seem quickly dissolvable shouldn't go down the toilet, either. Wet wipes, cotton balls, and Q-tips take a long time to break down and often block sewer networks. Flushing these items also damage drain pipes. If the pipes are too narrow for the wipes and cotton to push through, the blockage stops paper and waste from exiting the toilet and plumbing system.

Ignoring tank whistling

The whistling sound a toilet makes is frustrating and indicates a more significant problem when flushed. The noise occurs as the ballcock valve vibrates when water refills the toilet tank after flushing. If the valve is old or damaged, the vibration triggers a high-pitched noise similar to a whistle. Ignoring the noise is dangerous as the valve might stop working altogether, and it won't balance the water level within the toilet. Replacing the valve is challenging, especially for homeowners with little plumbing experience. 

Using a chemical drain cleaner

Homeowners often turn to chemical drain cleaners when dealing with a clogged toilet. Drain cleaners are pretty inexpensive and convenient to use. But they're capable of more than simply unblocking the plumbing. Not only is it dangerous to have them near the skin, eyes, and nose, but combining several different types can release toxic gases. Drain cleaners are thick liquids that latch onto the insides of the toilet, deteriorating the inner components. Over time, the pipes will become weaker and prone to cracking or breaking. 

Drain cleaners are not always effective, so homeowners end up damaging their plumbing for no reason. If clogged pipes or a sewer blockage affects the toilet, chemicals won't resolve the problem. A certified plumber will quickly determine what's at the root of the issue and suggest the best course of action. 

Call in professional help to have your toilet last longer

Taking care of what goes into the toilet might protect it from superficial damage, but many issues aren't visible to the naked eye. Checking whether the toilet is affected by a severe plumbing clog or blockage spares homeowners from costly repairs and prolongs the durability of the toilet and its components.

Having a certified plumber examine your toilet and plumbing will remove existing problems and help you avoid any future trouble.

Need reliable and affordable faucet repairs, replacement, and installation, toilet plumbing repair, backflow plumbing, and slab leaks services in the Phoenix and AZ Greater Metro Area? Contact MNS Plumbing at 602-362-4524.