Sluggish Toilet? Learn Why it's Slow and How to Unclog it

A toilet that flushes slowly or becomes clogged can be incredibly frustrating. The sluggish flush causes water and waste to linger in the bowl, while clogs lead to overflowing messes, foul odors, and the inability to use the toilet at all. Fortunately, armed with the right knowledge, we can troubleshoot and resolve many common toilet clogging issues without calling a plumber.

Read on to learn why your toilet may not be flushing properly and how to get it functioning fast again.

Signs Your Toilet is Clogged

There are several clear indicators that your toilet is clogged and needs to be unclogged:

• Weak, sluggish flush - The water swirls slowly and doesn't fully clear the bowl.
• Toilet requires multiple flushes to clear - It takes two or more flushes to fully empty the toilet bowl.
• Water drains slowly or starts overflowing - The water level rises dangerously close to the rim and overflows.
• Gurgling sounds from toilet bowl and pipes - Loud gurgles occur and the toilet "glugs" when flushed.
• Foul sewer odors coming from toilet - Bad smells emanate from the toilet due to backed up waste.

If you notice any of these signs, it likely indicates something is partially or fully blocking the toilet drain, preventing proper flushing and drainage. Don't ignore the issue, as clogged toilets tend to get worse over time. Take action to unclog it before it becomes an even bigger problem.

Common Causes of a Clogged Toilet

There are several common culprits that can clog up your toilet and make it flush slower. Being aware of these potential causes will help you pinpoint and address the root of your clogged toilet issue:

Excessive Toilet Paper Usage

While toilet paper is designed to be flushable, using too much at once can cause clogging problems. Thicker and quilted toilet papers are especially prone to getting jammed in drains. Wads of tissue that don't fully break down can accumulate and build up over time, progressively blocking the toilet.

Foreign Objects and Waste

All sorts of things that shouldn't be flushed down the toilet can cause clogged drains. Children may flush away toys out of curiosity. Many people improperly dispose of wipes, paper towels, q-tips, dental floss, tampons, and condoms down the toilet. Pouring fats, oils, and grease down the drain also creates clogs as the thick substances adhere to pipes. These foreign items combine with waste to create significant obstructions.

Mineral Buildup and Rust

Over time, mineral deposits from hard water, like lime and calcium carbonate, can slowly accumulate in toilet drains and pipes. These minerals chemically react with the metal in pipes and begin to scale and harden. The accumulation gradually narrows your drains. Rust flakes from aging metal pipes can also break free and lodge in drains, combining with mineral deposits to form clogs.

Tree Roots

In older homes with cracked and damaged drain pipes, tree roots can infiltrate and grow into the sewer line. Root masses slowly obstruct the pipe from the inside, eventually plugging it up entirely. Trees like willows, elms, and cottonwoods with aggressive root systems are more likely to cause invading root clogs.

Vent Pipe Clog

For proper flushing and drainage, air needs to enter the waste plumbing system through vent pipes that extend from drain lines through the roof. If the roof vent becomes obstructed with debris, nests or frost, it cannot adequately vent the system. This air blockage prevents waste from properly evacuating from the toilet and causes gurgling sounds.

Unclogging a Toilet Clog

When faced with a clogged toilet, there are several DIY methods we can try before calling in a plumber:

Plunging

A time-tested DIY method is repeated plunging to dislodge clogs. Place a plunger over the toilet drain opening to form a tight seal. Quickly and forcefully plunge up and down, using the pressure to loosen and break up the blockage. Give a series of strong plunges, periodically flushing to check if the clog cleared. The suction force of plunging can often efficiently unclog minor toilet clogs.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

For sink or tub clogs, baking soda combined with vinegar can break up some blockages. For tougher toilet clogs, try pouring 1-2 cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by one cup of vinegar. The chemical reaction causes fizzing and frothing that helps disintegrate some clogs. Let the mixture bubble for 5-10 minutes before flushing to rinse away the loosened clog.

Closet Auger/Drain Snake

A closet auger, also called a toilet snake, is specially designed to drill through toilet clogs. Feed the auger into the toilet drain and crank the handle slowly to work through the curves of the toilet trap. Once it hits the clog, twist in short motions to hook onto and break up the blockage. Retrieve any pulled out gunk, and then flush the toilet to wash the debris down. For severe clogs, a motorized auger with greater torque may be required.

Remove Toilet and Inspect

For the most stubborn clogs that persist after trying other methods, physically removing the toilet may be necessary. Turn off the toilet water supply and flush any remaining water out. Disconnect the supply line and unbolt the toilet from the floor. Inspect the exposed drain bend and trap for obstructions. Use a closet auger or rod to clear any visible clogs. When reinstalling the toilet, replace the wax ring seal to prevent leaks.

Preventing Future Clogs

While dealing with an existing clog is frustrating enough, taking actions to prevent recurring clogs makes life easier. Here are some tips to avoid clogged toilets in the future:

• Avoid Flushing Paper Towels, Wipes, Feminine Products - Stick to only toilet paper designed to disintegrate when wet.
• Install Drain Strainer - Strainers catch hair, debris and toys before reaching the pipes.
• Use Enzymatic Drain Cleaners - These break down organics and grease that can cause clogs.
• Replace Old Pipes - Corroded and rusted pipes are more likely to accumulate clogs.

Making small changes to what goes down the toilet and regularly maintaining drains prevents many avoidable clogs.

When to Call a Plumber

While many toilet clogs can be cleared with perseverance, if you've thoroughly tried plunging, snaking, and other DIY methods without success, calling in a professional plumber may be warranted. Here are some instances when it's best to have a plumber handle the clog:

• Recurring Clogs - If your toilet constantly gets clogged, there may be an underlying issue only a plumber can properly diagnose and repair.
• Clogs Beyond Auger Reach - Obstructions deep in the main sewer line can be inaccessible to your smaller hand auger.
• Complete Drain Blockages - Major obstructions that completely prevent any drainage will require a plumber's powerful equipment.
• Other Plumbing Repairs Needed - Leaky valves, pipes, or tank issues complicating clogs may need professional service.

Don't let frustration cause you to overdo DIY snaking and damage pipes. Knowing when it's prudent to hire a plumber can actually save money by preventing costly repairs down the road.

We hope this overview gave you a helpful understanding of why your toilet might be sluggish or clogged. While frustrating, many times these issues can be resolved with some persistence and elbow grease. Basic plunging or snaking provides surprisingly effective relief for common clogs before they become severe.

Implementing good toilet maintenance habits like drain strainers and enzyme cleaners also reduces future clogging. But if you've tried all the standard DIY unclogging methods without success, don't hesitate to call a professional plumber to really clear out that pesky clog and get your toilet flushing fast again!

1. Clogged air admittance valve (AAV): The AAV is a one-way valve that allows air into the plumbing system while preventing sewer gases from entering your home. If the AAV becomes clogged, it can restrict the flow of water into the toilet tank, resulting in a slow flush. To fix this issue, you can try cleaning the AAV with a wire coat hanger or a small brush, or you may need to replace it altogether.

2. Worn or damaged fill valve: The fill valve is responsible for filling the toilet tank with water. If it's worn out or damaged, it may not be able to fill the tank quickly enough, leading to a slow flush. Replacing the fill valve is a relatively simple task that you can do yourself or hire a plumber to do for you.

3. Excessive toilet paper usage: While toilet paper is an essential part of using the toilet, using too much at once can cause a blockage in the pipes, resulting in a slow flush. To avoid this issue, try using less toilet paper or consider installing a bidet seat, which can reduce your toilet paper usage significantly.