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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!

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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!

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    I got a new water heater today and Wes and Dominique were fantastic. Wes is a wealth of information and such a friendly person. Installation was fast and simple and the area was neat and orderly when complete (which means a lot to me). He gave me a lesson on how to flush it every year. All this and a great price too. I highly recommend Prime Plumbing.
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    Prime Plumbing came to do a tank flush and found a slow pipe leak (with puddles) we were not aware of. Ouu hot water tank and pipes are in a crawl space that we don't go into often. Frankin, the PP plumber was able to fix the leak the same day (with a 1 year warranty) and threw in the flush for free. He also checked all the other pipes and our sump backup and gave me a summary of what to keep an eye on. All this while I was picking up my hubby from the hospital and our 6 month old puppy was running around. Franklin is AWESOME - very professional and answered all my quetions. i really have peace of mind when Prime Plumbing does the work, highly recommend them if you need plumbing work.
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