Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning has provided top-rated plumbing repairs for homeowners throughout Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for over two decades. Our certified plumbers are clean, prompt, and professional, and we’re available for same-day service and emergency repairs.
Contact Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning when you need guaranteed expert plumbing repair!
Our Clogged Toilet Repair
Your bathroom toilet is probably the most used fixture in the house, and it’s a toss-up between it and the kitchen sink suffering from the most clogs. One problem with the toilet is that too many people treat it like a trash can, flushing things that should go into the garbage instead.
The key to preventing clogged toilets is to know what causes them in the first place, and here’s a list of the most common ones.
Flushing Non-Flushable Items
You’d be surprised at what people try to flush down the toilet: items like feminine hygiene products, paper towels, cotton balls, etc. However, one of the biggest headaches for plumbers and water treatment plants is the “flushable” wipes. Personal wipes are only flushable in that they can fit down the drain. These products don’t deteriorate like toilet paper and wreak havoc with your toilet and in municipal treatment plants. The bottom line is: if it’s not toilet paper or human waste, put it into the trash.
Blocked P-Trap
The P-trap is a P-shaped pipe designed to keep sewer gas odor from coming into your home. If this trap is partially clogged, it reduces the amount of water that can drain per flush. Sometimes, you can use an auger to clear the obstruction; however, it’s best to call a plumber to ensure you get all of the material out.
Blocked Plumbing Vents
Many homeowners don’t realize it, but your plumbing requires ventilation pipes to ensure proper drainage and protect against sewer gas from getting in. It’s easy for the vents to become clogged, causing your toilet to stop flushing or flush inconsistently.
Damaged Main Sewer Lines
Even though your sewer line is buried underground and well-protected from the elements, it’s not impervious to damage like tree roots and soil erosion. If the main sewer line is punctured or implodes, it causes drainage problems throughout the house, including your toilet.
While you can prevent most toilet clogs by minding what you flush down the drain, when things are beyond your control, call a plumbing professional for help.
Call Jerry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for expert bathroom remodeling services.
Santa Maria Toilet Replacement
You can chalk some toilet problems to bad flushing habits, while others may mean you need a new toilet installation. Let’s look at the most common situations where installing a new toilet might be your best option.
Too Many Repairs
When the costs of repairing an old toilet begin adding up, you have to ask yourself whether it’s worth continuing down that road or if the money could be better spent upgrading to a more reliable model.
Frequent Clogs
Sometimes, old, low-flow toilets lack the flushing power to get the job done. Low flow toilets are designed to save money by limiting how much water you use per flush, but some older models aren’t as efficient as newer ones, and you end up dealing with constant clogs.
Cracks
Another problem with older toilets is developing hairline cracks. Hairline cracks will only get worse and eventually lead to leaks. It’s a good habit to inspect your toilet for minor cracks and leaks every time you clean it.
High Water Bills
If you don’t have a low-flow toilet, you’re probably spending more on your water bill than necessary. Traditional toilets use up to 5 or 6 gallons per flush, while newer low-flow models typically get the job done with less than 2. The savings will add up quickly for an average household and show up in a lower water bill.