Fast Plumbing Answers: Is Your Toilet Always Clogging?

You’re here because this is the third — or tenth — time your toilet’s been clogged. It’s always the same toilet, and you’ve tried everything: plungers, drain cleaners, even single-ply toilet paper. So why is your toilet always clogging?

Let’s answer your questions in 2 minutes or less.

We’re Mother, a Dallas-Fort Worth plumbing company that provides dependable, hassle-free modern plumbing for homeowners who value quality. If you ever need us, we’re here to provide you long-term plumbing solutions that last. 

Your Toilet Bowl’s Always Clogged For One of 3 Reasons

There’s a laundry list of reasons why one toilet in your house always backs up. But all those reasons are narrowed down into one of 3 main categories:

1. You’re consistently flushing things you shouldn’t;
2. Something’s stuck in your toilet trap; or
3. There’s a blockage in your sewer line.

It’s probably not a weak flush. We see a lot of content online referencing weak flush issues — like mineral buildup in jets or a malfunctioning flapper — as a reason for clogged toilets. But a weak flush doesn’t cause most clogs.

Don’t flush things you shouldn’t

“The most common things we pull out of sewer line during drain cleaning are flushable wipes and tampons,” says our master plumber.

The only 2 things that you should flush down a toilet are body waste and an appropriate amount of toilet paper. A majority of blocked toilets are caused by large wads of TP, feminine hygiene products (especially tampons), and paper towels.

TLDR: If it shouldn’t go down a drain, don’t flush it down the toilet. That means cotton balls, Q-tips, dental floss, toilet seat covers, shaving cream — and action figures.

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Toilet trap obstructions form easily

There’s an S-shaped pipe behind or under your toilet called the trap. A small object or wad of paper can easily get lodged in the trap. 

If you experience a few clogs within a one month span, the S-trap may be clogged. (Note: a select few toilet models have a p-trap, like you’d find under your sink.)

Looking for a new toilet? Buy one with a wide sweeping s-trap. You'll reduce the risk of clogs.

Sewer line blockage: are other drains slowing down in your home?

If you notice multiple slow drains throughout your house alongside a frequently clogged toilet, you’re dealing with a blockage deeper in your main sewer line.

If your repeatedly clogged toilet is accompanied by sewer gas smells or occasional wastewater backup into other bathroom drains, this is also a telltale sign of a partially blocked sewer line.

Engage in proactive maintenance with sewer line cleaning services to stop a deep-rooted clog or blockage before it starts. 

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If Your Toilet’s Clogged For the 7th Time, Stop Flushing

Even if the water drains slowly, don’t flush. We know your first instinct is to keep pressing that flush handle to clear a clogged toilet. Stop doing that — it won’t clear the clog, and you’ll overflow the toilet.

And the only thing worse than a recurring blockage is mopping nasty toilet water off the bathroom floor.

DIY solutions aren’t effective against persistent clogs

If your toilet’s clogged numerous times in a short span, DIY methods are only short-term solutions to the problem.

This especially applies to baking soda and vinegar. This combination actually sticks to existing organic clogs like fat and grease. You can make a deep grease clog in your sewer line worse with baking soda and vinegar.

The one DIY method that may work is a drain auger and that’s only if you’re experienced using one. Otherwise, call a plumber before you punch a pinhole leak in your drain pipe.

More Fast Plumbing Answers About Drain Clogs

Bathtub and toilet clogged at the same time?

Toilet keeps overflowing after your flush?

Drain not working (even after plunging and Drano)?

Bathroom smells like sewage?

You Found The Issue. Here’s What to Do Next

If you’re certain that your frequently clogged toilet is due to one of the 3 reasons listed above, call a licensed plumber and request the following service:

For a consistently clogged toilet: drain augering service, plus a recommendation for an enzyme drain cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners are great for maintenance because they don’t contain caustic chemicals — use brands like Endure once a month for proactive maintenance.

For a blocked toilet trap: drain augering service can remove most partial blockages.

For toilet clogs in the DFW Metroplex, give Mother a call. We offer $299 drain cleaning service with a complimentary video camera inspection and free bottle of Endure, which we rated the best drain cleaner for organic clogs.

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