Avoiding a Clogged Toilet

One of the most common service calls we receive is to fix a clogged toilet. And, more often than not, the clog is caused by what was flushed down the toilet. Clogged toilets are not only an inconvenience, but they can also cause extensive damage to your plumbing system. Of course, there are also other causes of a clogged toilet, such as infiltration of your sewer lines by tree roots or other debris, but your best course of action is to call a plumber, such as the service pros at Atlas Butler. We can assess the situation, unclog your toilet and recommend the next steps to be taken.

Here is a list of items that should never be flushed down the toilet:

1. Disposable diapers and baby wipes. These products do not break down in water, thus leading to serious clogs.
2. Feminine hygiene products. Sanitary napkins and tampons are designed to absorb liquid and expand in water.
3. Cigarette butts. Cigarette butts are made of toxic chemicals which pollute water.
4. Q-tips, cotton balls, and cotton pads. These items do not break down in water and create clogs.
5. Medications. Most drugs don’t break down in toilet water and can cause introduce toxins to the waste water system.
6. Paper towels, tissues, and too much toilet paper. Paper products don’t disintegrate in water and can result in clogs. While toilet paper is biodegradable, using too much can sometimes clog the toilet.
7. Cat litter and pet waste. Despite packing claims, cat litter does not break down in water and can cause clogs. In addition, pet waste can include parasites that can infiltrate the water system.
8. Dental floss and hair. While vastly different in composition, both cause the same plumbing problems — acting as a net or “nest” to collect debris and thus, clog pipes.

If you have a clogged toilet, contact Atlas Butler at 614-681-2183 to schedule a toilet repair appointment. Our phones are answered 24/7 by a live person. We have 24-hour access to parts and the largest service fleet in Central Ohio. Our licensed plumbers will unclog your toilet and if the problem is unrelated to what was flushed down the toilet, can make recommendations on how to proceed with repairs – whether it is to replace the toilet or repair aging or damaged pipes inside or outside your home.

Dealing with Toilet Rust Stains

Rust stains in your toilet bowl are unsightly and are often founds in homes where there is a high level of iron in the water. In older homes with iron pipes, the pipes may be naturally deteriorating and leaching iron into the water. The good news is that iron won’t harm you, but if don’t address it, it can further damage your plumbing system. Removing iron stains from your toilet is pretty easy. It’s important to stay on top of it so the cleaning process doesn’t become more difficult over time. The licensed plumbers at Atlas Butler can check your plumbing system to see how the iron situation can be remedied. In many cases, adding a water filtration (softening) system will remove excess iron from your water. With older homes with pipes that are wearing out, the solution is to replace the iron pipes with ones made from copper or PEX.

If you want to use natural products to remove rust stains from your toilet bowl, you’ll need white distilled vinegar and baking soda. Do not use bleach as it can actually exacerbate the rust stains. Flush the toilet and you can also temporarily shut off the water to keep the bowl from refilling while you’re cleaning it. Mix a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar and spray the toilet bowl. You can also use a 3:1 mixture of baking soda and vinegar to create a paste to apply to stubborn stains. Let the vinegar or paste set for a couple of hours, then scrub using a soft cloth or old toothbrush. Turn the water back on and flush the toilet. To stay on top of a rust problem, once a week, you can add  1-2 cups of vinegar to the toilet bowl, scrub and flush.  There are also commercial products you can buy to remove rust stains but some of them may contain harsher chemicals than natural solutions.

If you want to conduct further investigation of heavy iron presence in your water, contact Atlas Butler at 614-681-2183. We can help you determine if a water softening system is the best solution for your home or replace your existing toilet with a shiny new white one. Our phones are answered 24/7/365 and in most cases, are available for same-day appointments.

Dealing With A Broken Toilet

If you’re having people over, whether it’s for a holiday gathering or to watch the playoffs, the last thing you need is a toilet that won’t flush. Not only is it embarrassing, but annoying. The good news is that this problem can usually be easily fixed. However, if all of your DIY attempts fail, then reach out to the plumbers at Atlas Butler. In most cases, we will arrive the same day you call for service and our phone is answered by a live person 24/7.

Here are some of the most common reasons why your toilet won’t flush.

Clogs

Clogs can result from putting too much toilet paper in the bowl or trying to flush objects like disposable diapers or feminine hygiene products. In other cases, it could be that a child tried to flush toys or other items down the toilet. See if you can fish out whatever is causing the clog from the toilet and you can also try using a plunger. Here are some things you should never flush down the toilet.

Water Levels in the Tank

The toilet tank should fill up to within one inch below the top of the overflow valve. It could be that the water valve was shut off. Turn the valve back on and see if that tank will fill up to the recommended level.

Flapper Needs Replaced

When the toilet is flushed, the flapper opens to allow water from the tank to rush into the bowl. If the flapper is cracked or warped, it won’t be able to close properly and the tank can’t refill. Flappers are inexpensive and you can easily replace them yourself.

Tangled Chain

The lift chain raises and lowers the flapper when you flush the toilet. Sometimes, the chain can wrap around itself so it doesn’t have enough length to operate the flapper. You can straighten out the chain and everything should work just fine. If the chain has other damage, it should be replaced.

If none of these solutions work, then give Atlas Butler a call at 614-681-2183. We have served Central Ohio for more than 100 years, and you can count on us to get your toilet flushing properly right away.