Proudly Serving Baltimore

Back to Blog

Why Is My Toilet Clogged?

Save Time, Call Prime!

Not again! You’re watching some playoff football and just want to get in and out of the bathroom during a TV timeout, when … BOOM … clogged toilet, soon to be overflowing.

A clogged toilet isn’t the end of the world, but it can be a major inconvenience and lead to an unpleasant cleanup. Luckily, most toilet clogs can be avoided with a bit of prevention and cleared up with a touch of elbow grease. For those more difficult cases, we’re here to help.

Here are some common reasons your toilet may be clogged and what to do about it:

1. Something Is Stuck.

Solution: plunge or snake the drain.

Your toilet has a trap, a curved segment of the porcelain fixture, that’s built into the lower bowl designed to hold standing water and keep sewer gas from entering your home.

An infographic showing the layout of a toilet, how it works, and where many clogs happen

It can handle waste and toilet paper, but that’s it. Heavy paper products, such as paper towels, tissues, wet wipes, feminine care products, and especially “flushable” wipes can get caught in the trap, causing a clog. These items should go in the trash, not in the toilet.

Fortunately, a few minutes of vigorous plunging with a plunger should loosen most blockages and remove the clog.

If you believe your toilet may be suffering from a large clog, it could be worth calling a professional. We offer expert toilet repair in Maryland. Give us a call at 443-741-1129 or schedule an appointment.

2. You have a slow-draining toilet.

Solution: time for an upgrade.

The mid 1990s were all about slap bracelets, the Spice Girls and … low-flow toilets. If your toilet was made in the mid-1990s, this could be the root of your problem. Search the back of your tank for a stamped “born on” date.

Inside of the back of a toilet, showing where the date it was made

Low-flow toilets don’t always flush hard enough to push the contents through the trap, inevitably causing frequent clogs. You can reduce clogs in low-flow toilets by limiting toilet paper use or using a thinner brand, flushing in increments, and avoiding clog-prone items (like the ones listed above). However, if you’re consistently having trouble, it may be time to consider an upgrade. A new toilet is surprisingly affordable and can be replaced as a weekend DIY project or by giving us a ring.

3. The problem is actually in your sewer.

Solution: bite the bullet and call a plumber.

A clog in a single toilet is probably an isolated issue, however stubborn clogs in multiple toilets and in sink drains are usually signs of a sewer line problem. Over time, waste material, toilet paper, and non-flushable items build up in your sewer line and need to be cleared periodically by a professional.

Outside your home, tree roots can also puncture your sewer line, letting in sediment and other blockage-causing debris. This can cause major problems inside and outside of your home so it’s best to hire a pro to investigate sooner rather than later.


The Bottom Line.

If you can’t determine the cause of a clog or have a problem toilet that you’re tired of plunging, we’re here to help. Don’t forget to use one of our coupons!

Prime Plumbing coupon for main sewer line cleaning

Prime Plumbing coupon for sewer service replacement

Received a sewer estimate from another plumber?

It’s always good to get a second opinion. Prime is now offering FREE Second Opinions that could save you a little or even a lot of money. It’s what we do. Call 443-741-1129 or click here to schedule an appointment today!

WHAT TO EXPECT

The Difference With Prime

About Us

Locally owned & OPERATED; Founded IN 2012

We take the worry out of things with upfront pricing

OPTIONS TO HELP YOU finance any service needed

Licensed Technicians who treat your home with care

Our maintenance plans make you the priority

Discount pricing for active and retired militaRy personnel

Locally owned & OPERATED; Founded IN 2012

We take the worry out of things with upfront pricing

OPTIONS TO HELP YOU finance any service needed

Licensed Technicians who treat your home with care

Our maintenance plans make you the priority

Discount pricing for active and retired militaRy personnel

    Get a FREE second opinion on water and sewer service, and septic repair/replacements!

    About Us

    Don’t Just Take Our Word for it

    More Reviews
    I want give a special thank you to Prime Plumbing Company. Ibrahim and Jalloh worked great as a team converting our home from galvanized pipes to PVC. They worked long days to complete the job. Ibrahim walked me and my family through the entire process and it was neatly done. This is my second time using Prime Plumbing. I will certainly use them again for future projects.
    Theresa Jones
    4 days ago
    Jason was professional, courteous, and thorough. He made certain the drain clog was cleared.
    Robert Labosky
    5 days ago
    Yes! Willie deserves 5!!! STARS ⭐️ and more. Willie fixed my toilet! Willie was on time, professional, neat, considerate, kind and took time to review and research all matters PLUMBING that are valuable to know for future projects including a copy to my email address. I definitely recommend Willie who is a a great asset for PRIME PLUMBING. I’ve had an excellent relationship with PRIME PLUMBING since 2022, from sewer replacement to hot water installation, kitchen faucet replacement, toilet replacement, water pressure testing…. Ask for Willie when you call PRIME PLUMBING for plumbing issues. PRIME PLUMBING’S greatest value is their STAFF! Thanks. Maureen
    Maureen Catherine Martin
    5 days ago
    Ernie and Hailey came out to move our water softener and brine tanks for us. They had great attitudes, completed the job in a timely and efficient manner, and double checked everything was in order and cleaned up before leaving. Thank you both for coming out on short notice and taking care of business!
    Jade Murphy
    5 days ago
    Good service. Very professional. The tech came in my house with Footies over his shoes making sure that my floors stayed clean. The tech did exceptional work. He was also very friendly.
    Dana Mccready
    6 days ago

    Why Choose Prime Plumbing?

    Professional Services at an Affordable Price

    • Transparent Pricing
    • No Additional Charges for Overtime
    • Flexible Financing Solutions
    • Thorough Employee Background Checks
    • Complimentary Second Opinions
    Learn More