Oops, you did it again, you clogged your toilet. Also, not only is their water all over the floor, but the tile is damaged, the carpets are soaked, and you hear a banging noise coming from your pipes. In other words, you have just set yourself up to make some (probably) very costly repairs to your plumbing system!

If you do not desire the above scenario to happen, there are many things you can do to prevent your toilet from becoming clogged. After all, doesn't it sound like the individual above flushed more than just human waste and toilet paper down the toilet?

Believe it or not, there are a few things you can do to prevent your toilet from becoming clogged. Therefore, we at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing would like to ensure that you keep the following in mind next time you reach for the toilet handle!

#1 – Understand what is and isn't able to be flushed.

Many homeowners flush things down the toilet that ARE NOT flushable. Some of these items include floss, hair, napkins, paper towels, plastic, and feminine hygiene products. If you do flush these down the toilet, things may seem normal at first. But, if you do it over and over again, there is no doubt that a clog will form.

To find out if a certain product CAN BE FLUSHED down the toilet, look on the product itself or the package it came in. If it is labeled "flushable," chances are that it is safe to flush down the toilet.

However, if you would rather just avoid the chance of clogging the toilet and pipes altogether, do not flush anything unless it's human waste or toilet paper!

#2 – Practice "proper flushing" techniques.

Unfortunately, even if you flush toilet paper and human waste down the toilet, you can still find yourself with a clogged toilet. Practicing improper plumbing techniques, such as flushing TOO MUCH toilet paper can clog your toilet. Inevitably, do not flush massive wads of toilet paper balls down the toilet because one flush might not be able to get it down! Also, even though toilet paper is biodegradable, flushing large wads will cause it to break down a lot slower!

#3 – Keep an eye and ear out for any irregularities when you flush, or any "funny" noises that come from your pipes.

Over time, if you witness the flush getting weaker or slower, chances are that there is a clog forming. So, instead of waiting for the clog to get worse than it already is, take some initiative and pour some Drano® in the toilet. If that doesn't seem to make it any better, you can always call a plumbing company like us here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing!

At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, we offer a variety of drain line cleaning and repair services. Inevitably, if you have a clogged toilet, drain, or pipes, we are the company to call to help have it fixed.

If you would like to hear more tips for how to prevent your toilet from clogging, please call us!