Tag: toilet

Clogged Toilet Prevention Tips

Why is the Toilet Frequently Clogged?  

Usually, homeowners can unclog toilets quickly using a household plunger, but other clogs require calling a professional plumber. It is important to fix a clogged toilet fast to prevent germs, bacteria, and foul smells from lingering in the air. 

Because the entire plumbing system is connected, a clogged toilet could cause issues in other areas of the home plumbing. Clogged toilets could also be a warning sign of a greater plumbing issue, such as a clogged sewer line. Here are three tips homeowners can use to prevent clogged toilets.

flushed

What Not to Flush

The only thing that should ever be flushed down the toilet is toilet paper. Even wipes that advertise themselves as flushable can wreak havoc on a home’s plumbing system and sewer line. Being mindful of what gets flushed down the toilet is one of the best ways for homeowners to prevent the hassle of fixing a clogged toilet and damaging the plumbing system. 

Items that should not be flushed include wipes, diapers, menstrual products, paper towels, and tissues. The toilet should never be used as a trashcan. For example, gum, cigarette butts, expired medications, and pieces of paper should also not be disposed of in the toilet. The best way to protect a home plumbing system from toilet issues is to dispose of trash in a trash can and only flush toilet paper. 

Reduce Toilet Paper Usagetoilet

Some people use too much toilet paper to wipe after using the restroom, leading to frequent toilet clogs. Homeowners should try to minimize their toilet paper use to prevent clogs. Too much toilet paper being flushed at once is one of the main reasons toilets get clogged. 

One trick for preventing clogged toilets when using a lot of toilet paper is to flush more than once. Breaking the flush down into two or more increments will help prevent the toilet paper from clogging up the toilet. Children in the home may need to be reminded more than once to only use the amount of toilet paper they need. 

Sewer Line Clogs

Home plumbing fixtures all connect back to the main city sewer via sewer lines. Any problem with the sewer line could cause the toilets to get backed up or clogged. Over time, flushing wipes and other items that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet can lead to a buildup in the sewer line and, eventually, a nasty clog. Another cause of a sewer line clog is tree roots growing into the pipes. 

Preventing sewer line clogs helps to avoid toilet clogs. Professional plumbers can fix or prevent a clogged sewer line using hydrojetting. Hydrojetting involves shooting pressurized water through the pipes at high speed to blast away the source of the clog. Clogs due to tree roots can be prevented using root barriers underground to protect pipes. Working on the sewer line can be dangerous, so sewer line issues should only be handled by a professional plumber. 

About Heidler, Inc. 

Heidler, Inc. is a family-owned and operated company serving Annapolis, MD, and the surrounding areas since 1947. They provide flat rate pricing, unparalleled customer service, and emergency assistance. Call them today for clogged toilet repair or hydrojetting services in Annapolis, MD.

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Catch (And Fix) a Running Toilet Before It Is Too Late!

A Running Toilet Is No Joke

Is your toilet running? Maybe it signed up for a 5k; you’d better go catch it! A classic joke for a common household problem. Unfortunately, no homeowner finds a running toilet amusing.

The sound of constant running or cycling water in the tank is not only an annoyance, but that’s also the sound of money quickly leaking away. That’s because a running toilet is more than just background noise–it is an active plumbing leak that can waste gallons of water every day. Read on to learn what causes a running toilet, and how to fix and prevent them in the future.

Two Main Reasons Behind Running Toilets

There are two main things that are causes for a running toilet:

  1. The flapper: Also known as a “flush valve seal”, this is the plug that keeps water in the toilet’s tank until the next flush. If the seal had hardened or broken, water is able to leak out, causing the water in the tank to continuously have to refill.
    To test for a leaky flapper, take a paint stick and push down on the flapper. If the running stops, the flapper is the cause. Homeowners can also check the flapper chain to ensure it isn’t getting caught on anything and has enough slack (but not too much) to let the flapper create a good seal.
  2. The fill valve: After every flush, the toilet tank refills with water via the fill valve. If this component is leaking, then it is constantly running new water into the tank.
reasons behind running toilets

To test for a fill valve leak, flush the toilet. Check the fill valve for a leak. Adjust the float to see if the leak stops. If it continues, the fill valve is the reason behind the running toilet.

Basic Steps and Tools for Fixing Running Toilets

Flappers and fill valves are both available at most home improvement stores and come with instructions for installation. Most homeowners can complete the following steps themselves to fix a running toilet:

  1. Determine the cause, using the methods listed above.
  2. Purchase the necessary part(s) from a home improvement store. For flappers, homeowners may have difficulty locating a new one in the exact same size or shape. In this case, it is recommended to purchase a universal flapper.
  3. Replace the faulty component by installing the new pieces, per the instructions on the packaging. Be sure to turn off the water supply and empty the tank completely before installing a new fill valve. Some tools that may be needed while fixing running toilets are:
  • fixing running toiletsHacksaw
  • Pliers
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench

For homeowners that are uncomfortable working on the toilet themselves, calling a professional plumber can save both the time and hassle of fixing running toilets.

Tips for Preventing Running Toilets

Making sure that all of the components in the toilet are working properly and efficiently is the only way to prevent running toilets. Leaks happen naturally as part of normal wear and tear, but by fixing problems early and not letting a running toilet run for very long, homeowners can avoid losing money as it trickles out to cause bigger damage down the road.

preventing running toilets

Additionally, if you need help, you can always contact a local plumber. Not only will they be able to help you with your initial running toilet issues, but also they can work with you to prevent these problems in the future.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. has earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award for twelve straight years. Their licensed plumbing and heating technicians offer unparalleled plumbing services in Annapolis and surrounding areas. Serving customers since 1947, Heidler, Inc. has developed a reputation for being trustworthy with its clients.

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