As soon as you notice that your toilet is taking longer than usual to flush, or if it’s not flushing at all, the first thing you need to do is find out what caused the clog. If there are signs of a clogged toilet, then it’s time to take action before things get worse! In this blog post, we will discuss five signs of a clogged toilet and how you can fix them.
Slow Draining Toilet
The slow draining of water from the toilet bowl after you flush is a significant indication your toilet is clogged, and your drains are backing up. The water level in the bowl will often take substantially longer than usual to drop, and the level may even drop lower than usual due to the suction effect of a clogged drain. Both are common indications of a clogged toilet and must be addressed immediately to prevent more damage. Your toilet should flush at the same rate every time, and any variation is a clue that something is wrong.
Overflowing or full toilet bowl
If your toilet bowl fills up after flushing, your toilet is clogged. A full bowl after flushing is the most reliable symptom of a clogged toilet. The most common reason is too much toilet paper or something foreign flushed down the toilet, such as a toilet deodorizer or children’s toys. This usually indicates that the obstruction is limited to the toilet trap and that the rest of your sewage drains are operating normally. However, do not flush your toilet again since this will result in a huge mess on your toilet floor. Call a professional to fix this for you.
Gurgling sounds coming from your toilet
Do you hear strange gurgling sounds coming from your toilet? If so, this may indicate a blockage in the vent pipe or another problem with your sewage drain. Water backing up and overflowing out of your toilet is definitely an indication that something is clogging up your drainage system. The most common causes are bath toys, children’s flotation devices, feminine hygiene products, or other non-flushable items flushed down the toilet. Another possibility is tree roots growing through cracks in the sewer line because of exposure to too much moisture for extended periods. Whatever it might be causing backflows can usually be fixed by plunging at home without expensive equipment needed by professional plumbers.
Bad odors
Bad smells coming from the drain are another sign of a clogged toilet. This can be due to an accumulation of organic material, which decomposes and releases bad smells into your home’s sewer line. Also, stagnant water sitting in the bowl will putrefy or develop harmful bacteria released by flushing once it gets stirred up again.