What Should Homeowners Do When the Toilet Backs Up?

Stop Struggling With That Backed-Up Toilet!

As anyone who has ever experienced it knows, a clogged or backed-up toilet is one of the most frustrating and unpleasant plumbing problems ever. Not only does it render the toilet virtually useless (bad news when someone’s got to go), but it can also cause the toilet to overflow and spill wastewater all over the bathroom floor – yuck!

Needless to say, homeowners are better off avoiding toilet clogs altogether for the sake of their health, hygiene, and sanity (not to mention their bathroom floor). 

But toilet backups can still occur for reasons homeowners can’t always control. So this article will explain what causes toilet backups, ways to fix backed-up toilets, and how to help prevent toilet clogs from occurring in the first place.

What’s Causing the Toilet to Back Up?

A toilet backup can have several possible causes, but clogs are by far the most common. Toilet clogs are usually caused by inappropriate materials, solid objects, or too much waste being flushed down the toilet and getting stuck in the toilet’s S-trap or drain pipe. 

But a clog further down in the home’s main sewer line can also cause a backup. A multitude of materials, such as grease, food waste, and unflushable items, can cause sewer line clogs.

Invading tree roots can also get inside the sewer line and obstruct the flow of wastewater. The sewer line or other underground drain pipes can break or collapse, causing soil or clay to infiltrate and clog the pipe. 

When problems like this affect the sewer line, more than just a single toilet will be affected – it can also lead to sewage backups in other toilets, sinks, tubs, and shower drains.

How to Fix a Backed-Up Toilet

The solution to a backed-up toilet will ultimately depend on the cause. That’s why, after homeowners have tried and failed to fix it themselves with a plunger (never chemical drain cleaners!), they should call a plumber to diagnose the issue. 

If only a single toilet is affected, a plumber may try to remove any blockages using a drain snake. In some cases, the toilet itself may be a problem (especially if it’s ancient) and may need to be replaced.

However, plumbers may employ sewer camera inspection equipment to pinpoint the cause if the problem extends beyond the toilet itself. 

If the issue is a clogged sewer line or a stubborn clog deep within the home’s drainage system, hydro jetting is usually the best way to remove the clog. This involves a high-powered water hose that breaks through obstructions and cleanses the pipes.

Whether due to tree roots, shifting soil, or old age, plumbers will typically need to repair or replace the pipe if the video inspection reveals that the issue is a damaged or crushed pipe. This could involve conventional sewer line repair, which entails excavating the pipe. 

Nevertheless, plumbers will generally try for trenchless sewer line repair, which can be done without extensive digging.

How to Prevent Toilet Clogs and Backups

Preventing toilet backups starts with being mindful of what goes down the home’s drains and toilets. Grease and cooking oil are among the most common causes of sewer line clogs since they can solidify and collect inside the pipe – homeowners should always put these in a suitable container and throw them away in the trash bin. 

Likewise, the only thing (besides #1 and #2) that should ever be flushed down the toilet is toilet paper – paper towels, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, contraceptives, and cotton products can easily cause clogs.

Homeowners would also do well to have their plumbing system inspected as part of annual plumbing maintenance. Routine video sewer inspections can catch problems like invasive tree roots and pipe damage early before they can cause a toilet backup. 

And if any of the toilets start to have trouble flushing or the drains begin to drain slowly, homeowners should call for hydrojet drain cleaning to nip potential clogs in the bud. With these tips, homeowners can keep their toilets clog-free and enjoy peace of mind year-round!

About Zing Plumbing

Zing Plumbing has been Tucson’s go-to plumber for years. Their trustworthy, licensed, insured, and pet-friendly technicians always show up on time in fully stocked trucks and leave every home better than they found it. 

Zing offers transparent flat-rate pricing, financing, personalized solutions to fit any budget, 24/7 emergency service, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So, there’s no one better to call for clogged toilet repair in Tucson, AZ!

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