Tips to Avoid Clogged Toilets
Valentine's Day is about being in the moment and enjoying a relaxing day of romance with a significant other. However, nothing puts a damper on the holiday faster than a clogged toilet! Clogged toilets are frustrating and can lead to other issues if ignored or neglected. But with some simple preventative measures, homeowners can help prevent a clogged toilet on Valentine's Day or any day after. This blog post will share tips to help homeowners avoid clogged toilets, but plumbers are always there to help if it does happen.
Be Mindful of What is Flushed
The City of Wilmington has some important news for homeowners: they shouldn’t flush anything except toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. They say homeowners shouldn’t even flush pet waste! That’s because animals eat food that doesn’t easily break down inside sewer lines.
If homeowners regularly flush pet waste, kitty litter, or pet hair, they risk toilet and sewer line clogs. The bacteria from animal waste can also break down and pose a public health hazard. Other things to avoid flushing down the toilet include:
- Condoms
- Menstruation products
- Food residue
- Paper towels
- Napkins
- Plastic
- Any type of wipes
Use Less Toilet Paper
Using too much toilet paper at once can also cause clogs in the toilet or sewer pipes, leading to costly repairs. To prevent clogging, homeowners should try using less toilet paper or flushing multiple times as they go instead of all the toilet paper being flushed once at the end. This will help keep the plumbing running free of obstructions and ensure fewer problems down the line. Using less toilet paper is also good for the environment.
Some people don’t use much toilet paper. Instead, they rely on bidets or toilets with bidets built in. Bidets are common in Europe and other parts of the world. Using less toilet paper with a bidet also helps prevent sewer line clogs and toilet clogs.
Prevent Sewer Line Clogs
Most people have the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when flushing stuff down the toilet. However, everything someone flushes or puts down sinks in the home goes into the sewer line. If a sewer pipe clogs, this could mean bad things for the household, including a burst pipe, backed-up toilets, and frequent toilet clogging.
In addition to being mindful of what goes down all the home's drains to prevent sewer line clogs, homeowners should also routinely consult a plumbing professional for maintenance and drain cleaning services. Any build-up or clogs forming in the pipes will be cleaned out with specialized equipment during drain cleaning to prevent future clogs. When a plumber assesses a home’s system during maintenance, they can check for issues, including:
- Build-up and clogs inside the pipes
- Rusted or corroded pipes
- Leaks and burst pipes
- Fixtures that need replacing
- Loose valves, nuts, and bolts
About Great Day Plumbing & Air
Great Day Plumbing & Air has trustworthy plumbing, heating, and AC technicians serving Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding areas. They offer same-day services, upfront pricing, and the latest tools and technology. Call them today for drain cleaning or clogged toilet repair in Wilmington, NC.


