Common Objects That Cause Clogged Toilets in South Florida

The most common things that clog toilets are too much toilet paper, wipes, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, diapers, cotton products, dental floss, and objects accidentally dropped into the bowl. To prevent clogs, flush only human waste and toilet paper, and put other household items in the trash.

A clogged toilet can quickly go from a minor inconvenience to a messy plumbing problem. In many cases, the cause is something you shouldn’t have flushed in the first place.

Knowing what belongs in the toilet and what does not can help you prevent clogs and avoid unnecessary plumbing repairs.

What Are the Most Common Things That Clog Toilets?

Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Other materials may not break down easily enough to move through the toilet and drain pipes without causing problems.

Some of the most common causes of toilet clogs include:

• Using too much toilet paper at once
• Flushing wipes
• Flushing feminine hygiene products
• Flushing paper towels or tissues
• Flushing diapers
• Flushing cotton balls or cotton swabs
• Flushing dental floss
• Accidentally flushing toys or other small objects

Sometimes a clog develops immediately. In other cases, material can build up inside the drain and restrict flow over time.

Can Too Much Toilet Paper Clog a Toilet?

Yes. Even though toilet paper is designed to break down in water, using too much at once can clog a toilet.

A large amount of toilet paper may struggle to move through the toilet trap and drain, especially if the toilet has a weaker flush or there is already a partial blockage.

To reduce the chance of a clog:

• Avoid using large amounts of toilet paper at once
• Flush more than once when necessary
• Do not add other paper products to the toilet
• Pay attention if the toilet frequently struggles to clear the bowl

If your toilet regularly clogs with a normal amount of toilet paper, another issue may be affecting the flush or drain.

What Should You Never Flush Down a Toilet?

A simple rule can prevent many toilet clogs: if it is not human waste or toilet paper, put it in the trash.

Common items that should not be flushed include:

• Baby wipes and personal wipes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers
• Paper towels
• Facial tissues
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Dental floss
• Bandages
• Cat litter
• Food scraps
• Cooking grease
• Cigarette butts

Many of these products do not break apart in water the way toilet paper does. Instead, they can stay intact as they travel through the plumbing and contribute to a blockage.

Keeping a small trash can near the toilet makes it easier to dispose of these items properly.

Can Flushable Wipes Clog a Toilet?

Wipes can contribute to toilet and drain clogs because they do not break down the same way toilet paper does.

That includes products labeled as flushable. A wipe may disappear from the toilet bowl when you flush, but that does not necessarily mean it will move through the rest of the plumbing system without causing a problem.

The safer choice is to put wipes in the trash rather than flushing them.

What Happens If an Object Falls Into the Toilet?

Small household objects can accidentally end up in a toilet, especially in homes with young children.

Common examples include:

• Small toys
• Personal care items
• Toilet paper holders or caps
• Small containers
• Other objects kept near the toilet

If an object falls into the bowl, remove it before flushing whenever possible.

Flushing may push the object deeper into the toilet trap or drain. Once that happens, retrieving it can become more difficult and the object may create a blockage.

If you know an object was flushed and the toilet begins draining slowly or will not flush properly, avoid repeatedly flushing the toilet. A plumber can determine where the obstruction is and how to remove it.

Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

What you flush is not always the reason a toilet keeps clogging.

If you flush only toilet paper and waste but the toilet still backs up, another plumbing problem may be involved.

Possible causes of recurring toilet clogs include:

• A toilet that does not flush with enough force
• A problem with the toilet’s internal components
• A partial blockage in the toilet or drain
• A problem farther down the drain or sewer line

Pay attention to what happens elsewhere in the home. If multiple drains are slow or several plumbing fixtures are backing up, the problem may extend beyond the toilet itself.

Recurring clogs are worth having inspected rather than repeatedly clearing the same blockage.

How Can You Prevent a Toilet From Clogging?

Most preventable toilet clogs come down to what goes into the bowl and how you use the toilet.

A few simple habits can make a difference:

• Only flush human waste and toilet paper
• Put wipes in the trash, even if the package says they are flushable
• Never flush paper towels, diapers, or feminine hygiene products
• Keep a trash can next to the toilet
• Keep small objects away from the toilet, especially in homes with children
• Avoid using excessive amounts of toilet paper at once
• Do not keep flushing when the toilet is already struggling to drain

Also pay attention to changes in how your toilet works. A toilet that suddenly flushes slowly, requires multiple flushes, or clogs more often than usual may need attention.

When Should You Call a Plumber for a Clogged Toilet?

Not every clogged toilet requires professional plumbing service. A simple clog may clear with a plunger and never cause another problem.

It is time to consider calling a plumber when:

• The toilet keeps clogging
• A plunger does not clear the blockage
• You know a foreign object was flushed
• The toilet drains slowly after the clog is cleared
• The toilet is close to overflowing
• Water backs up into another fixture
• Several drains in the home are slow or backed up

Those symptoms can indicate that the problem is deeper than a simple toilet clog.

If the toilet is overflowing, stop flushing it. Preventing additional water from entering the bowl can help limit the mess while you arrange for service.

Get Help With a Clogged Toilet From Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric

Sometimes you know exactly what caused a toilet clog. Other times, the toilet keeps backing up for no obvious reason.

If a clog will not clear, keeps coming back, or appears to be affecting other drains, Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric can help. A professional plumber can locate the blockage, identify the cause, and recommend the right solution.

Contact Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric to schedule plumbing service and get your toilet draining properly again.