The toilets in your home are one of the most important plumbing fixtures. While you may be able to go a day without a shower or bath if repairs are necessary, not having access to the toilets in your home can cause a serious hassle.
In our last post, we gave tips on what items to keep out of your toilet to avoid clogs. This week, we have compiled some easy steps that you can take to further decrease the likelihood of clogs and protect your toilet from overall damage.
Extending the life of your toilet
- Never stand on your toilet. Don’t use your toilet as a makeshift stool. This is dangerous both for you and the fixture.
- Don’t use toilet brushes with metal bristles, as these can scratch the porcelain. Instead, opt for brushes with plastic bristles.
- When you’re cleaning your toilet, don’t use hot liquids as these can cause cracks, particularly if the bowl is cold. As a general rule of thumb, never pour anything hotter than 36 degrees Celsius into the bowl.
- If you notice a crack in your toilet, call us here at Sydney Emergency Plumbing. Having cracks repaired or parts replaced when problems first arise can save you the hassle of major problem later.
Preventing toilet clogs
- Flush every time the toilet is used. Allowing toilet paper to accumulate in the bowl can lead to a sudden clog. If you’re concerned about the effects that flushing has on the environment, consider purchasing a dual flush cistern, which conserves water and can even lower the cost of your water bills. Contact us at Sydney Emergency Plumbing for more information about these water-saving systems.
- Use toilet paper sparingly. Although toilet paper is designed to dissolve, when you use more than you need, large wads can clog up the pipes. Cutting down on toilet paper consumption is eco-friendly as well. You can also switch to thinner toilet paper, which is less likely to form clogs.
- Keep the lid closed on your toilet, especially if you have kids or pets. This can help prevent items being intentionally or unintentionally dropped into the bowl by little ones and four-legged friends.
- Purchase a lock for the toilet seat if you have small children. This keeps little ones from dropping items in the bowl and also improves the safety of your home.
- Don’t store small items over the toilet. If you keep small items on a shelf over the toilet or on its back, you run the risk of something falling in and being flushed without you noticing.
- Only clean your toilet with toilet cleaner. Using other types of soaps or cleansers in place of a toilet cleaner can cause a build-up in the pipes that can contribute to clogs.
- Call for help quickly. When you notice that your toilet flush is weak or that the bowl is draining slowly, contact us here at Sydney Emergency Plumbing. Many clogs form slowly over time, and by catching one in its early stages, you can help prevent a messy toilet overflow. With our state-of-the-art equipment, we can find the clog and dissolve it and provide you with a full plumbing inspection report that could locate other unseen plumbing problems in your home.
