What To Do If Your Toilet Keeps Blocking

A toilet that blocks repeatedly usually points to a bigger issue. Here’s what cause it and how to fix it for good.

A toilet that blocks once might just be a bad luck. But if it keeps happening, there’s usually an underlying cause that needs addressing, not just clearing the blockage each time.

Common causes of repeated toilet blockages – Too much toilet paper at once. Even standard toilet papers can build up if too much is flushed in one go. Non-flushable items. Wipes, cotton buds, sanitary products, and nappies don’t break down like toilet papers, and are one of the most causes of blockages. A low flush or older toilet. Some older or low flow toilets simply don’t generate enough force to clear waste properly. A partial blockage further down the pipe. If the blockage isn’t right in the bowl, it may be sitting further along the waste pipe, meaning it clears briefly before building up again. Tree root intrusion. In some properties, tree roots can grow into underground drain pipes, causing recurring blockages, especially in older sewer lines. Insufficient pipe fall or a poorly designed system. If the pipework wasn’t installed with the correct slope, waste may not clear fully with each flush.

What you can try – Use a proper toilet plunger (not a sink plunger) with firm, steady pressure. A drain auger (toilet snake) can help clear blockages further down the pan. Avoid using chemical drain cleaners in toilets, as they can damage the pan and pipework, and aren’t always effective on solid blockages.

When it’s time to call a plumber if plunging only provides a temporary fix, or the toilet blocks more than once every few weeks, it’s worth having a professional inspect the situation. This may include a CCTV drain survey to identify exactly where and why the blockages keep forming, whether that’s a pipe issue, tree roots, or something further down the system.

If your toilet keeps blocking, don’t just keep clearing it, let PipeGuard Plumbing find out why. We can inspect, diagnose, and fix the root cause.