toilet Archives - Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service

Easy Ways to Prevent and Identify Toilet Problems

Modern toilet in a minimalist bathroom with wall-mounted toilet paper holder and glass shower enclosure by Bud's Plumbing.

How to Better Care for a Home’s Toilets

Toilet problems can disrupt daily routines. Simple yet effective strategies can prevent common issues such as clogs and leaks. This guide offers expert insights that reduce toilet maintenance time, lower expenses, and ease bathroom-related stress. Practical advice ensures a more comfortable, efficient bathroom environment with fewer disruptions.

Signs a Toilet Needs Repair or Replacement

Early detection of toilet problems can prevent extensive water damage and emergency plumbing calls. Common symptoms often emerge subtly before evolving into major issues.

A constantly running toilet signals internal malfunctions that waste hundreds of gallons monthly and inflate water bills. Continuous running long after flushing requires inspection. Leaks at the toilet base or from the tank cause water damage to the flooring and substructures.

Frequent clogging, even when appropriate waste is flushed, may indicate an aging or failing toilet. Weak or incomplete flushing also suggests internal mechanical issues or reduced water flow. Toilets that empty slowly or require multiple flushes typically suffer from internal inefficiencies.

Cracks in the porcelain bowl or tank require immediate replacement to prevent structural failure and potential flooding. Other warning signs include toilets over 15–20 years old, frequent repair needs, or high water consumption. Replacing outdated models with EPA-certified WaterSense toilets can reduce water use by 20–60% per flush while maintaining strong performance.

Frequent toilet repairs often point to underlying problems that temporary fixes cannot resolve. Constant maintenance needs result in higher plumbing costs and reduced fixture reliability over time.

Older toilets—particularly those over 25 years old—use significantly more water than newer models. According to EPA estimates, replacing outdated toilets with WaterSense-certified versions can lower annual water use by 60%, potentially saving nearly $140 in water expenses.

Tracking how often repairs occur and evaluating water usage helps determine when replacement is more cost-effective. Toilets manufactured before 1994 typically use 3.5 gallons or more per flush, while newer models use just 1.28 gallons or less. These modern designs offer greater efficiency and reduce the likelihood of clogs.

Improved flushing technology in modern toilets ensures full waste removal with minimal water, making replacement an environmentally friendly and budget-conscious choice.

Tips for Preventing Toilet Clogs

Clog prevention begins with proper flushing habits. Only human waste and toilet paper belong in the toilet. Items like paper towels, facial tissues, and so-called "flushable" wipes do not break down like toilet paper and often result in pipe blockages.

Commonly flushed items such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, and hair can accumulate in pipes and lead to clogs. These items do not dissolve and often cause buildup that prevents normal water flow.

Establishing clear household rules about what belongs in the toilet helps prevent clogs. Placing a wastebasket next to each toilet encourages proper disposal. Teaching children about toilet use early also prevents future plumbing issues.

Using less toilet paper per flush also supports a healthier plumbing system. Plumbing industry data shows that around 40% of toilet clogs come from flushing inappropriate items. Better habits contribute to efficient plumbing and a healthier community wastewater system.

Overuse of toilet paper remains a leading cause of toilet clogs. Large quantities flushed at once can cause blockages that restrict water flow and waste removal.

In general, using more than a small handful of toilet paper at a time can overwhelm pipes. Adopting a two-flush method helps: flush once during use, then again after finishing. This practice minimizes strain, especially on low-flow toilets.

Switching to fast-dissolving or "septic-safe" toilet paper reduces clog risks. According to Consumer Reports, some varieties break down up to 70% faster than standard toilet paper. Providing a small bathroom trash bin for non-flushable waste also discourages flushing problematic items.

Simple adjustments to daily habits can prevent unnecessary plumbing expenses and ensure long-term toilet performance.

How Sewer Lines Impact Toilets

Toilet clogs or backups may reflect deeper sewer line issues below the home. Obstructed main lines often affect bathroom fixtures first, as waste and water fail to drain properly.

Clogs in sewer lines cause noticeable toilet symptoms. Gurgling noises during flushing or water backing up in nearby fixtures, such as showers, signal drainage problems. Plumbing industry data attributes roughly 80% of serious toilet backups to main sewer line blockages.

Sewer and toilet systems are directly connected. Tree roots, grease buildup, or collapsed pipes often lead to widespread drainage issues. Unlike isolated clogs, these problems usually affect multiple drains simultaneously. Prompt action prevents water damage and exposure to health hazards.

Camera inspections by plumbing professionals can pinpoint the exact location of a blockage, allowing for faster and more accurate repairs.

Every day toilet habits influence the health of the entire sewer system. Items that flush without immediate issue can still accumulate in pipes and create long-term obstructions.

Toilet paper is the only product specifically designed to disintegrate quickly in wastewater systems. Other items—such as wipes, feminine products, and paper towels—persist much longer, with some taking months to break down. These materials contribute to sewer line clogs and slow-drain issues.

Maintaining sewer line health requires consistent disposal practices:

Discard grease and oils in the trash
Provide bathroom trash bins for non-flushables
Educate all household members about proper disposal
Schedule periodic drain inspections to catch early signs of buildup

Preventative maintenance and mindful flushing habits protect plumbing systems from costly failures and ensure long-term performance.

Call Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service is a trusted plumbing services company serving the Evansville area and beyond. They offer the latest technology, 24-hour service, and a satisfaction guarantee. Call them for toilet repair and installation in Evansville, IN.

Don't Let a Clogged Toilet Spoil the Mood!

White toilet and black plunger, tools for maintaining plumbing by Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

Why Does the Toilet Keep Getting Clog?

A clogged toilet is one of those unpleasant plumbing issues that no one wants to experience. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most common issues homeowners face. Even worse, toilet clogs often happen at the most inopportune time, like right before leaving for work, in the middle of the night, or - heaven forbid - during a romantic Valentine's Day evening!

But there's good news: toilet clogs are preventable (and it's easier than it might seem). This article will outline a few of the most common causes of clogged toilets and the simple steps homeowners can take to avoid them - so they never have to worry about an overflowing toilet raining on their parade!

Be Mindful of What's Getting Flushed

Perhaps the most common cause of toilet clogs is flushing things that aren't meant to be flushed. This includes paper towels, napkins, facial tissues, feminine hygiene products, diapers, baby wipes (even those marketed as "flushable"), and - for those with little ones running around - the occasional toy. These materials (not including the last example) may seem fine to flush, but they don't break down the way toilet paper does, which makes them more likely to get stuck and obstruct the drain pipe.

As a rule, the only thing that should ever be flushed (aside from human waste) is toilet paper. Once everyone in the house is aware of this, clogs will be far less likely to occur - but it's also a good idea to keep the toilet lid closed when not in use to prevent objects from falling in accidentally.

Avoid Flushing Too Much Toilet Paper

While toilet paper is the only truly flushable material, it can still cause clogs if too much is flushed at once. This is because it can wad up into a dense ball and become lodged in the pipe, preventing water from penetrating and breaking it down.

Of course, there's no one specific amount of toilet paper that causes clogs. This ultimately depends on the toilet paper type, the drain pipes' condition (do they contain a residue of muck and debris?), and the toilet itself (many older toilets tend to be more prone to clogging). But to reduce the risk of clogs, homeowners can make an effort to use less toilet paper in general or simply flush multiple times to spread out the volume of toilet paper being flushed at one time.

Keep Sewer Lines Clean

Another common cause of clogged toilets (and drain clogs in general) is sewer line clogs. This often occurs in combination with one of the abovementioned problems. If the home's sewer line is partially obstructed or coated with muck, unflushable materials or large wads of toilet paper can easily get stuck and clog the sewer line. This, in turn, clogs the toilets and all of the other drains in the home.

The best way to avoid this is to keep the sewer pipes as clean as possible. Adhering to the guidelines above will certainly help, but it's also a good idea to watch what goes down the home's other drains, not just the toilets. Hair, soap scum, grease, and food waste are a few of the most common culprits behind sewer line clogs (grease is particularly insidious), so it's best to avoid putting these down the drain when possible.

But no matter how vigilant homeowners are about what goes down their drains, some nasty buildup is inevitable. That's why scheduling periodic drain cleaning with a plumber is important. Having this done every 1-3 years is the general recommendation. However, sewer drain cleaning is vital, particularly by a professional, as this typically requires special equipment and permission from the city or local utility authority.

About Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service has been Evansville's top choice for plumbing services for over 100 years. As a family-owned and operated company spanning three generations of service, they are the proud recipients of numerous awards, including the Angi Super Service Award in 2022. Their friendly, trustworthy, licensed, and insured technicians are available 24/7 for emergencies and come backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. So don't hesitate to call Bud's Plumbing for clogged toilet repair and drain cleaning in Evansville, IN!

Taking Charge of That Stubborn Toilet That Won't Flush!

A plumber in a blue uniform repairs a toilet with tools in a bathroom, representing Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service.

The Best Solutions to a Toilet That Won’t Flush

Picture this: someone is at a party. They’re chit-chatting with all of their friends and suddenly get the urge to use the restroom. This is already a little embarrassing, but then it gets even worse. They go to flush the toilet, but the toilet won’t actually flush. This is when full-fledged panic starts to set in.

Besides the embarrassment, there are all sorts of dangers that can come from a toilet that won’t flush. For instance, if a clog is preventing the toilet from flushing, the water and waste could start to overflow the toilet or enter into the other drains in the bathroom like the tub or shower drain. In order to unclog a toilet, use these three methods.

Try Hydro Jetting

Blue water splash graphic representing high-pressure water used in hydro jetting for plumbing solutions.

Hydro jetting is a really efficient way of clearing out clogged toilets, or any other plumbing-related clogs for that matter. It is a tried and true method, tested and used by professional plumbers for years.

Here’s how it works: a blast of high-pressure water is shot into the plumbing pipes to clear out any existing clogs, and this is VERY high water pressure. That’s all there is to it! Many people are surprised at how powerful water can be sometimes, but just think about how much damage it can do in the middle of a hurricane.

It’s pretty powerful stuff! Hydro jetting the home’s pipes on a regular basis, along with having the drains cleaned, can help prevent the initial buildup of a clog before it completely blocks the pipe. This then prevents the toilet from not flushing.

Sustain the Water Level

The power of a toilet’s flush comes from the water that’s sitting in the tank. When the toilet is flushed, the pressure from the water in the tank is what pushes the water and waste down the hole and into the pipes. If there isn’t enough water in the tank, then there won’t be enough pressure to flush the toilet.

Toilet tank filled with water, featuring a float valve and refill tube, illustrating proper water level maintenance for effective flushing.

Always check to make sure that the water level in the tank is high enough. This is one of the most common causes of toilets that won’t flush. More often than not, if the water level is too low, there’s a problem with the refill tube. It’s best to consult a professional plumber to examine this component and determine the best course of action to fix or replace it.

Fix the Flush Handle

Toilet flush handle in close-up, illustrating a common plumbing issue related to malfunctioning flush mechanisms.

In addition to clogs a low water level in the tank, a malfunctioning flush handle is another common cause of toilets that won’t flush. When the handle is pushed down, it makes the trip lever rise, which lifts the flush ball and allows water from the tank to flow down into the toilet bowl.

If the handle is broken, the whole chain reaction stops and the toilet won’t flush because there is no pressure from the water in the tank flowing down into the bowl.

In some cases, the flush handle may just need a bit of tightening to get things working again. Other times, it may need to be replaced. In order to determine the best course of action, it’s best to talk with a professional.

About Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service

Bud’s Plumbing & Repair Service is a local Evansville, IN plumber specializing in full-service solutions at honest, upfront prices. In fact, they are the only plumbing company in the area that offers upfront pricing! Their plumbers complete continuous training on a regular basis and stay up to date on the latest products for services like toilet repairs, drain cleaning, and water heater installations.