When it comes to protecting your home, fixing a clogged toilet quickly is one of the most important things a homeowner can do. ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services, a leading reconstruction services team in Lexington, KY, says backed-up toilets are a common source of water damage and contamination in homes, but you can fix them if you identify the cause of the trouble and address it early.

5 Reasons You Might Have a Clogged Toilet

1. Buildup of Foreign Objects  

A lot of small items can create major blockages if they’re sent down a toilet drain. Common offenders include items many people think are acceptable to flush, such as cotton swabs, hair, cotton balls, and baby wipes. Other times, the cause of a clogged toilet is a larger object that went down the drain by accident. If plunging the toilet doesn’t resolve the issue, call a plumber.

2. Too Much Toilet Paper

Although toilet paper is safe for plumbing, it should be flushed in small quantities. When too much toilet paper goes down a bathroom drain at once, it can jam the pipes, causing water to fill the bowl and even overflow. Fortunately, this problem usually can be fixed with a plunger.

3. Broken Pipes

When tree roots invade underground plumbing and damage pipes, you can encounter persistent toilet clogs. The dense growth of roots leaves waste with nowhere to go but back up the plumbing and into your home. If you suspect this is the cause of your clogged toilet, call a plumber as soon as possible to avoid water damage.

4. Hard Water

If you have hard water, minerals in the supply can build up in your pipes and calcify. This restricts the flow of waste and water, leading to backups. A plumber can use a chemical solution to remove the buildup, but you also should install a water softener to prevent a recurrence of the problem.  

5.  Older Low-Flow Toilet

Low-flow toilets reduce water use, but early models were ineffective at flushing. Their lack of power can prevent them from flushing waste all the way through your pipes, creating clogs. If your home has older low-flow toilets that often back up, upgrade to newer and more effective models.

If you have a clogged toilet that caused water damage, ServiceMaster Fire & Water Restoration Services in Lexington, KY, can provide water removal, odor damage control, and mold remediation, if necessary. To request service, call (859) 309-9964 for a fast response and fair pricing. Visit their website for more information about the company and like them on Facebook for home maintenance tips.