What is the most common cause of toilet clogs?

Author: Carolyne Hayes II  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

If Your Toilet Keeps Clogging, Here's Why. The Short Answer Is: A toilet can repeatedly clog due to several reasons, including inadequate flushing power, an obstructed trap or drainpipe, or an accumulation of non-flushable materials like toilet paper, hygiene products, or foreign objects.

Why does my toilet get blocked so easily?

The most common causes of blockages are excess toilet paper, waste products, wet wipes, lime scale build-up and other small items like children's toys, deodorant blocks, bottles, and sanitary products.

How to fix a toilet that always clogs?

Unclogging the S-trap may be the answer to why your toilet clogs easily. Plunging should move most clogs along. Again, look for the flanged toilet plunger to increase the water pressure and dislodge any blockages. A toilet auger is also a valuable item to remove the clog.

What can I put in my toilet to keep it from clogging?

Even if you do have an older toilet, a brick still isn't the best of ideas. The brick can break down over time, and particles can end up in your plumbing, causing clogs. Instead, fill a plastic water bottle with sand and put that in the toilet tank.

Do I need a new toilet if it keeps clogging?

The reason you should replace the toilet at that age is toilets have Rim holes that allow water to clean the bowl. And you have a siphons jet hole. If these start to get calcified internally and start to clog you will have a weak flush. A weak flushing toilet is commonly the reason for a stoppage.

5 Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Clogging

Why does my toilet flush but poop stays after flushing?

It may be because your toilet drain is clogged, a faulty water tank, low water pressure, or even the design of your toilet. The good news is that it is easy to fix this problem. You can either get in touch with a professional plumber or try it yourself.

What do plumbers recommend for a clogged toilet?

Start by using a plunger, which creates a vacuum to force clogs out of drains. Heavy-duty plungers with either ball-shaped heads or rubber flanges on the bottom are much more effective than conventional suction cup-shaped plungers. Make sure the toilet bowl contains enough water to submerge the head of the plunger.

When I flush my toilet, it fills up with water then slowly drains.?

Check your water levels

Low water levels in your tank are common causes of toilets filling up with water when flushed. They can also cause slow-draining toilets. You can manually top up your tank with water to help the flush. Then, check the flush tube for cracks and bends that lead to leaks.

How do you stop a toilet from clogging when constipated?

If you are experiencing this problem whilst on the toilet, it's worth making sure you are sitting on the toilet in the correct position. Alternatively, you can pass a hard stool by walking around, drinking water, or taking a laxative before you try.

What is the best liquid to unclog a toilet?

Drano for toilets is a popular choice for many homeowners when dealing with stubborn clogs. This powerful product has been a trusted solution for many years, effectively breaking down and dislodging blockages that can cause significant inconvenience and potential damage in the bathroom.

Why won't my toilet unclog with a plunger?

You need water, not air, pressure to loosen the clog. If your toilet lacks water, pour in enough water till the plunger is covered. Use a gentle plunge initially since a hard one will force air back around the seal, blowing water all over you and your bathroom floor.

Is it normal to clog a toilet often?

Frequent toilet clogs are a sign something is not right – the issue typically has to do with your plumbing, your toilet, or what goes down it. Common causes when a toilet keeps clogging include: You Have an Older Model Low-Flow Toilet. Items That Shouldn't Be Flushed Have Been Flushed.

Should I keep flushing a blocked toilet?

Avoid flushing repeatedly as this can cause the toilet to overflow.

Why does my son always clog the toilet?

Chronic constipation in children often leads to large, hard, difficult to pass bowel movements. As a result, the child may “hold back”, not completely emptying their colon when they poop to avoid pain. Or during times of stress or limited access to a toilet, a child may “hold back”.

What happens if a toilet is clogged for too long?

Dangers of Waiting Too Long

Beyond the risk of overflow and water damage, the clog could also cause toilet water to back up into other parts of your plumbing system, affecting sinks, showers, and even your home's main sewer line. This could lead to an unusable bathroom and potentially costly repairs.

How to unclog a toilet that keeps filling up?

Simply add a bit of dish soap around the hole in the toilet. Add hot water and let sit for about 20 minutes. Then flush. The soap and hot water should lubricate the clog enough to clear it.

Why is my toilet clogged with nothing in it?

The Short Answer Is: A toilet can repeatedly clog due to several reasons, including inadequate flushing power, an obstructed trap or drainpipe, or an accumulation of non-flushable materials like toilet paper, hygiene products, or foreign objects.

How to clean toilet jet holes?

Heat 1 to 1 ½ cups of white vinegar to about the same temperature you'd take your coffee – not scalding, but warm enough. Add it to the overflow tube and give it about 30 minutes to work. Flush, then go to work on the jet holes, chipping away the scale with something small but solid.

What not to do when unclogging a toilet?

3 Ways NOT to Unclog Your Toilet (Unless You Want to Damage It)
  1. Using chemical drain cleaners (like Drano) Most chemical drain cleaners clear your drain by breaking down the clog with a chemical reaction. ...
  2. Plunging down too hard. ...
  3. Using the wrong plumber's snake.

What dissolves toilet paper fast?

Add 1/2 cup baking soda directly into the toilet bowl water surrounding the blocked toilet. Slowly pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar down the inside of the bowl to avoid splashes. Stand back as a fizzy foam reaction occurs, potentially breaking apart paper. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then flush it repeatedly.

How long does dish soap take to unclog a toilet?

Pouring dish soap down a toilet will unclog many obstructions. Pour 1/2- to 1-cup of dish soap directly in the toilet water and wait about 30 minutes before flushing. Follow the dish soap with a gallon of hot water if dish soap alone does not work.

Why does my poop keep blocking the toilet?

If a person is experiencing unusually large poops that are difficult to pass and clog the toilet, it may indicate an underlying health condition. However, in many cases, lifestyle modifications such as increasing water and fiber intake may help prevent unusually large poops.

How can I make my toilet flush stronger?

6 Ways to Get a Stronger Toilet Flush in 2023
  1. Clean The Rim Jets. The rim jets are holes in the toilet's base where water comes from when you flush. ...
  2. Fix Any Clogs. ...
  3. Adjust The Water Refill Tube. ...
  4. Reposition or Replace The Flapper. ...
  5. Open The Water Valve. ...
  6. Adjust The Float.

What does fluffy floating poop mean?

Stools that float are most often due to poor absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) or too much gas (flatulence). Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon.

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