With a low-flow toilet from Whipple Plumbing, you’re potentially saving yourself a huge amount of both money and water. Our products are developed to work with the same effectiveness as a standard toilet, only with much less waste and a far greener outlook.

Some people, though, incorrectly assume that a low-flow toilet also comes without risks of clogs, backups or other issues where drain cleaners might be necessary. This isn’t the case – clogs can still take place if you aren’t careful. Here are a few basic methods you can observe to help prevent these sorts of plumbing issues in your low-flow toilets.

Toilet Paper

Some folks really enjoy extra fluffy, ultra-style toilet paper, but there are situations where you should look in another direction. These types absorb more water than typical rolls, and when you combine this with limited water, you can occasionally see “sitting” issues where extremely absorbent tissue fails to move through the drain as it should. Look for less fluffy toilet paper if this is a concern.

Running Water and Large Flush

If you have a low-flow toilet in a home that hasn’t had its sewer line adjusted for correct flow levels, you’ll occasionally want to run other water-related appliances for a bit of extra time to help even things out. An empty load of laundry or running the hose in a drain will help get the “float level” back up within toilet drains, and push debris out.

In addition, forcing a “large flush” can be another great way to go. Fill a large bucket with water and add this to the toilet – this will cause the toilet to manually flush and push water through. However, if you suspect that a clog is already present, do not perform this method, as it can cause the toilet to overflow.

Flush More Often

This is another consideration only for homes where float levels haven’t been adjusted – flushing more frequently can also help equalize water levels.

No Extras

Anything absorbent or heavy will be a major potential cause of clogs. They may cause the clog themselves, or create a debris collection area that becomes a clog. For all non-toilet tissue items, use a separate wastebasket.

Perhaps most importantly, make sure you have your system inspected by our experts at least once a year, or every six months for the discerning homeowner. Our Whipple Plumbing experts will spot any potential issues well before they become more serious. To learn more about these or any of our other commercial plumbing services, contact us today.