Tips on How to Prevent Toilet Issues
Here are some tips you can follow to work on your plumbing issues, and you don’t have to wait for others to fix them.
When you own a house, you come across several issues related to it. There are certain issues that can become worse and can cost you a lot if you don’t take care of them as soon as you detect them.
For instance, issues related to toilets can cause you a lot more trouble than you can imagine if you keep delaying fixing the problem. Also, a toilet with an issue can waste up to 9000 gallons of water annually, on average.
Common drawbacks of a faulty plumbing system can cost you a lot and take away your access to water when you need water the most. On top of that, imagine showering without hot water during the winter.
People often back off when it comes to dealing with a plumbing issue because of a lack of knowledge on how to deal with the problem. However, with a few steps and common knowledge on fixing plumbing issues, you can do it on your own, cutting a lot of costs.
Preventive Steps to Keep in Mind
Here are some effective preventive steps you can follow to avoid any kind of toilet related issues.
- Flush What Needs to be Flushed
Oftentimes plumbing issues occur due to a clogged toilet. Clogging of a toilet is usually caused when you flush unnecessary things down the toilet.
Keep in mind, only human waste and tissues should be flushed; other things should be disposed of in a bin. Flushing things that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet can cause toilet gurgling.
- The Type of Tissue Suitable for Flushing
You need to know the difference between the material of the tissue that can be flushed, as not all kinds of tissues get flushed properly. Certain types of tissue might end up clogging your toilet.
Try to go with thinner, softer material when it comes to using tissue paper. It’s good for your skin and can be easily broken down while flushing, so there are lower chances of your toilet getting clogged.
- Importance of a Toilet Plunger
It is very important to have a plunger at your place. You can fix almost any level of clogging with a plunger. Moreover, a plunger is an easy tool to use to fix a toilet-related issue.
However, if the problem remains after using a plunger, try using other tools such as a drain snake/auger.
- Clean your Toilet on a Regular Basis
When it comes to cleaning your toilet, remember to use mild products such as baking soda, vinegar, or mild soaps that will complement the material of your toilet.
The thing with harsh chemicals used for cleaning toilets is that they damage the material, especially the color and texture.
- Check your Toilet Every Six Months
It’s important to inspect your toilet quite frequently so that it is easier for you to detect any sort of issue as early as possible. A delayed issue can cost you much more than an early issue.
It’s obvious you don’t want to spend a lot of money fixing a toilet, whereas you can spend less if you take the necessary preventive steps and keep a keen eye regularly on your toilet.
Basic ways you can check if your toilet is fine include flushing and checking if the water flow is good or if it’s making a gurgling noise. You can also remove the lid of the tank and check if the internal parts of the toilet are working fine.
- You Should Be Concerned about a Leaking Toilet
It is usually hard to detect a leaking toilet, so you need to have a careful eye for it to inspect such situations.
Because a leaking toilet can be hard to fix and even harder to detect in the initial stages, it can lead to further issues including water damage. A leaking toilet wastes a lot of water and can cause water damage to the surrounding flooring. The leak usually takes place around the tank of the toilet.
- Don’t Hesitate when Asking for Help
There can be situations where you can fail to comprehend the problem and times when you can’t really fix the toilet even though you tried everything in your power and knowledge.
That’s when you ask for professional help. If you are unsure about how to fix the toilet, don’t take steps that will only make the issue worse and cost you more than just seeking professional help.
Call for help as soon as you realize it’s time to do so. Some issues are more serious than you can imagine and often beyond your basic knowledge.
- Teach Kids How to Use Toilet Properly
In a lot of cases, clogging is caused by kids as they tend to play and put toys and other stuff down the toilet. They get particularly fascinated with how the flush works and keep trying to flush anything that’s near them.
It is important to teach the kids how and what to flush. If not, what can go wrong. Hopefully, they will be able to understand the issues and won’t repeat anything that can only damage the toilet.
Prevention is the Wisest Way to Go
These necessary preventive steps are the best you can do when it comes to you avoiding any kind of issue related to the toilet. Knowing the basic steps on how and what tool you should be using when a toilet clogs will help you in the future.
It’s better to be safe than sorry, and it’s definitely wiser to be careful and use as many preventive steps as possible. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on your toilet, do you?