The leading cause of toilet blockages in the UK is flushing non-degradable items such as wet wipes, sanitary products, paper towels, and other non-degradable materials. These items can cause clogs in the pipes, leading to slow drains, overflowing toilets, and backups in the sewer system. It is important to only flush human waste and toilet paper down the toilet to avoid plumbing issues and expensive bills.
What comes next in the article?
- The worst things to flush down the toilet
- How do you unclog a toilet?
- What not to do with a clogged toilet?
What Not To Put Down The Toilet
If you’re asking what not to put down the toilet, there are several things that frequently find their way down the toilet and end up causing problems.
It is recommended not to flush the following items down the toilet or you will find that your toilet won’t flush. The following is a list of common things that are thrown down the toilet but that cause blockage.
- Wet wipes, even if labelled as “flushable”
- Flushing inappropriate items: One of the most common causes of toilet blockages is flushing items that should not be flushed, such as wet wipes, sanitary products
- Personal hygiene products (e.g. tampons, sanitary pads, condoms)
- Paper towels, tissues
- Cooking oils and fats
- Medications
- Chemicals
- Toys, jewellery, toothbrushes
Foreign objects: Objects that fall into the toilet, such as toys, can cause blockages.
- A build-up of hair and soap: Hair and soap can accumulate in the pipes over time, leading to blockages.
Anything other than human waste and toilet paper can cause clogs and damage to the plumbing system. Even flushing excessive amounts of paper down the toilet can cause clogs in the pipes and sewer system. This can lead to slow drains, overflowing toilets, and backups in the sewer system. In some cases, clogs can be severe enough to require professional plumbing services to fix. It is recommended to dispose of paper products in the trash, rather than flushing them down the toilet, to avoid plumbing issues.
If the toilet won’t flush, follow these steps:
- Check for a clog: Use a plunger to try and remove any blockages from the toilet bowl.
- Check the fill valve: If the water in the tank isn’t filling the bowl, check the fill valve for any issues.
- Check the flapper valve: If the bowl is not being emptied, the flapper valve may not be working.
- Call a plumber: If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be a more serious issue that requires a professional plumber.
If the issue is severe, it is recommended to avoid using the toilet until it is fixed to prevent further damage.
Blocked toilets can be fixed by following these steps:
- Use a plunger: A plunger is a common and effective tool for removing blockages from a toilet bowl.
- Use a drain snake: A drain snake is a tool that can be used to reach and remove blockages from deeper in the pipes.
- Use hot water and dish soap: Pour hot water and dish soap down the toilet and let it sit for several minutes to help break up the blockage.
- Call a plumber: If the issue persists after trying these steps, it may be a more serious issue that requires a professional plumber.
If the blockage is severe, it is recommended to avoid using the toilet until it is fixed to prevent further damage.
Plumbers use a variety of tools and methods to unblock clogged toilets, including:
- Plungers: Plungers are a common and effective tool for removing blockages from a toilet bowl.
- Drain snakes: Drain snakes are a tool that can be used to reach and remove blockages from deeper in the pipes.
- Hydro jetting: Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to remove blockages from the pipes.
- Augers: Augers, also known as toilet snakes, are a tool that can be used to reach and remove blockages from deeper in the pipes.
- Mechanical plungers: Mechanical plungers are specialized tools that use suction to remove blockages from the pipes.
- Chemical cleaners: Chemical cleaners can be used to break down and dissolve blockages, making them easier to remove.
The method used by a plumber to unblock a clogged toilet will depend on the cause and severity of the blockage.