We’ve all been there. You go to use your toilet, but are prevented from doing your business because of a nasty clog. How do clogs happen, anyway? And how can we prevent them? Fortunately, that’s exactly what our expert plumbers at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric are here to answer today. Keep reading to learn the top signs of a toilet clog, and remember that you can call our skilled plumbers at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric for all the plumbing and drain services you need.
5 Common Symptoms of a Clogged Toilet
- Slow Draining: If your toilet is draining slowly, it is almost certain there is some kind of obstruction causing this to happen. Watch out if it takes longer for your water to drain from the ball, and if your water level is dropping lower than usual, as this is another strong indicator that you’ve got a clog on your hands. The reason this happens is that the blockage in your toilet drain causes a vacuum effect, preventing the bowl from draining and you from being able to flush like normal. If you have a slow-draining toilet, do not hesitate to call our professionals at AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric right away, especially if your toilet is also making…
- Gurgling Sounds: A gurgling sound may either come from your toilet or from other fixtures in your bathroom or throughout your home when your toilet is blocked. This is because a toilet clog changes the liquid to air ratio in your toilet, which in turn causes sewer gases to escape through the water seals and vents in your sewer system. The good news about hearing these gurgling sounds is that they mean your clog has not yet progressed too far, and can probably be taken care of quickly with the assistance of an experienced plumber.
- Bad Odors: It’s inevitable that you will deal with some bad smells in your bathroom over time, but if you are continuously dealing with strong, nasty odors, chances are you’ve got a problem on your hands. These smells may be coming from your sink, shower drain, or your toilet itself. But the smell itself usually goes back to that buildup of sewer gas in your vents that we discussed above. Bad smells should never go unchecked, not only because they are unpleasant, but because they can lead to other problems if not dealt with in a timely manner. That’s why if there are any nasty odors coming from your toilet, and you can hear gurgling sounds and are experiencing slow drainage on top of that, you should call a plumber ASAP.
- Overflows: If there is one guaranteed sign you have a clog in your toilet, it’s an overflow. Most homeowners have had their toilet overflow on them before, but that doesn’t make it any more of a palatable experience. The offending blockage is oftentimes caused by excess toilet paper in these cases, though it could also be from a foreign object like a children’s toy or an errant piece of toiletry. The good news is that when your toilet overflows, that usually means the obstruction is located in the toilet trap, and there is not a problem in your sewer drainage system. That said, you will still want to hire a plumber to snake that clog out—especially if you have already tried a plunger. Trust us, at a certain point, plunging your toilet just makes things worse. So remember, if at first you don’t succeed, the right call is usually to hire a professional. After all, the last thing you want is smelly and potentially toxic wastewater all over your floor.
- Standing Water: No matter what type of plumbing problem you are dealing with, standing water on the ground is never a good sign. If you find that there is water pooling around your toilet, there is a strong chance you are dealing with a leak, or some other kind of internal breakage. However, it is also possible you’ve got an advanced clog on your hands. Bottom line: if there is unexplained standing water around your toilet, always call a plumber.
For more information on toilet repair, call AAA Service Plumbing, Heating & Electric now at (303) 313-3333, or click here to contact us online.
