Toilet bowl chokes can be frustrating. It can also be dangerous if you don’t know how to fix it. But before we talk about how we can get rid of toilet bowl choke, we need to learn about its causes, risks, and also how to prevent it.
Why Do Toilet Bowls Choke So Often?
Toilet bowls may choke due to our day to day usage and did you know that many of our habits may cause the problem to aggravate?
One of the most common causes is toilet paper. Yes, toilet paper! When you flush the toilet, the toilet paper does not all disintegrate immediately. Some of it will stay in the toilet bowl and eventually block the hole that leads to the sewer line.
Another common cause is feminine hygiene products. These items are not meant to be flushed down toilets and can cause serious clogs.
Lastly, solid waste such as diapers, condoms, and other materials should never be flushed down a toilet as they will cause a toilet bowl choke.
Is It Dangerous?
While a toilet bowl choke may not seem like a big deal, it can actually be quite dangerous. A toilet bowl choke can lead to toilet bowl overflow. Toilet bowl overflow is when the water in the toilet bowl rises too high and starts to spill out onto the floor. This can be a slip and fall hazard and can also lead to water damage in your home. So, you should fix it as soon as possible to avoid any accidents. To do so, you can try fixing it by yourself or by calling a plumbing service to help.
Things to Take Note During Installation
When having a toilet installed in your home, make sure that the toilet is properly vented. A toilet that is not properly vented can cause toilet bowl choke as well as other problems such as slow flushing and bad odours.
Slow flushing and bad odours can be caused by a number of things, but one of the most common causes is a toilet that is not properly vented. If your toilet is slow flushing, it is likely that there is a blockage in the vent pipe. Proper installation is key to avoiding these issues, so be sure to follow best practices for toilet bowl installation to ensure everything functions smoothly.
Another Common Toilet Bowl Problems
Another common toilet bowl problem you’ll probably find is toilet bowl stains. Toilet bowl stains are caused by a build-up of minerals in the water, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can build up on the toilet bowl over time and cause the toilet bowl to become stained.
In addition to stains, you might also experience issues like low water pressure in your bidet, which can be caused by mineral buildup or blockages in the water line. Regular maintenance can help prevent both of these issues.
How to Fix Toilet Bowl Chokes
Use Hot Water
One of the easiest ways to fix toilet bowl choke is to pour hot water down the toilet bowl. The hot water will help to break up the clog and allow it to flush down the drain. Just be careful not to use too much hot water as it can damage the toilet bowl. You also have to be careful as water with too high temperature can cause damage to the toilet bowl.
Use Detergent
If hot water doesn’t work, you can try using a detergent. Simply pour the detergent into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. The detergent will help to break up the clog and allow it to be flushed down the drain. The most suitable detergent for this action is the liquid dishwashing detergent. It’s probably the most common and the easiest method to do.
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
If neither of those methods work, you can try using vinegar and baking soda. Just pour ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes. The mixture will create a chemical reaction that will help to break up the clog. After a few minutes, flush the toilet to see if the clog has been removed.
Use a Plunger
If all else fails, you can try using a plunger. Put the plunger over the toilet bowl hole and start thrusting up and down. The suction from the plunger will help to break up the clog and allow it to flush down the drain.
For related issues like unclogging other drains in your home, such as sinks, you can explore more methods by checking out our guide on how to unclog a sink.
Calling Professional Plumber for Help
If you’ve tried all of the above methods and the toilet bowl choke still hasn’t been fixed, then it’s time to call for a professional plumber. A professional plumber will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and fix it in no time. Whether you’re dealing with a clog or issues like leaking pipes, don’t hesitate to call a professional if you’re having toilet bowl problems.
Their rates will be between $60 to $120 per hour depending on the company and plumber’s experience. The average cost to hire a plumber is $317, with most homeowners spending between $268 and $376. However, some jobs may cost as little as $133 while others could be as high as $800. So, it really all depends on the toilet bowl choke situation. If it’s a simple fix, then it shouldn’t cost too much. But if it’s a more complicated problem, then it will likely cost more.
How to Prevent Future Chokes
Prevention is always better than cure. To prevent toilet bowl choke, you should avoid flushing anything down the toilet except for toilet paper and human waste. This means no flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, dental floss, etc. Also, don’t put too much toilet paper in the toilet at once as this may cause a blockage. And lastly, make sure that your toilet is properly vented so that there is no build-up of pressure in the sewer line. Additionally, consider installing a bidet as an alternative to excessive toilet paper use, which can further reduce the risk of blockages.
Final Thoughts
Toilet bowl choke is a common problem that many homeowners face. Luckily, there are home remedies to try without having to call a professional. However, if the problem is more complicated, then you may have to call a professional plumbing service to get it fixed. To prevent toilet bowl choke in the future, make sure that you only flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet and that your toilet is properly vented.
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