The blocked toilet can lead to a frustrated family and unpleasant cleanup. Like with any problem, addressing the cause is always more efficient than solving the problem. Understanding why your toilet blocks or backs up will help you and your family prevent any future toilet blockage. Here are 4 reasons why your toilet may be blocked. 

Your Home Is Fitted With a Low-Flow Toilet

The modern toilets of today have a variety of designs that save water. Older versions, however, lack the necessary pressure to clear the internal trap and drain. This means that they can cause your toilet to develop clogs.

Check the back of your toilet for the stamped date. If the date of manufacture was the mid-1990s, chances are high that you have these first-generation toilets. If this is the case, don't panic and rush into a replacement. Reduce the clogs in low-flow toilets by reducing the amount of toilet paper used and avoiding flushing all the items prone to clogging the toilet. 

If all these efforts fail, it could be time to call a plumber to install a more modern toilet. 

Flushing Non-Flushable Items

Your toilet can only flush some items, like toilet paper, because they are designed to dissolve in water quickly and rarely cause problems with blocked toilets. However, items like disposable tissues, paper towels, Q- Tips, cotton balls, dental floss and wet wipes have the ability to restrict drainage and cause your toilet to have regular backups. 

Ensure you speak to all members of the family about what is flushable and what isn't. You can also keep a trash can in your bathroom to make the disposal of non-flushable items easier. 

Blocked Plumbing Vent

Modern-day toilets utilise roof vents to allow clean air into the home's plumbing system. These vents prevent the occurrence of air-pressure vacuums, which can hinder drain flow. Roof vents can block over time, especially due to leaves and animal nests. If the vent is blocked, the drain flow will reduce significantly and result in regular clogs.

The best solution is to hire a professional to inspect and clean the vents.

Blocked Toilet Trap

The toilet trap is a curved section of the porcelain fixture inside the lower bowl unit of the toilet. It serves the purpose of holding still water and keeping sewer gasses from finding their way into your home. Non-flushable items, as well as excessive use of toilet paper, can clog the trap and cause the toilet to back up.

Understanding the causes of blocked toilets will help you apply precautionary measures to prevent the occurrence of the same in the future. If you notice that your toilet is blocked, ensure you call a blocked toilet plumber to fix the situation.