We’ve been getting a lot of calls in the past few weeks at Keepe about how to fix tenants’ clogged toilets. Here’s some interesting information about toilets, and six unclogging tips from our professionals!
- The average person flushes the toilet five to six times each day, adding up to nearly 2,000 flushes per year.
- When a toilet stops working, it’s an emergency maintenance situation that needs to be fixed as soon as possible because it creates an immense inconvenience for your tenants.
- Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of the water usage in bathrooms, so keeping these essential plumbing fixtures in good condition is a must.
Doing routine maintenance for toilets can go a long way. If you do not catch simple leaks early, you may find the problem months later, when the water bill is $100 more than usual. Some actions as simple as having your maintenance people regularly clean and check for leaks can catch a toilet problem early and save money in the long run.
If a toilet is clogged, the first thing you should try is using a toilet plunger, which can dislodge the clog so it can be flushed through.
If the plunger doesn’t work, try using a toilet auger, which can reach deeper into the plumbing of the toilet in order to dislodge clogs.
6 Tips for Fixing Those Annoying Clogged Toilets
- Inspect the toilet’s inner workings every six months.
- Never pour a chemical drain cleaner down your toilet; it can cause damage to your plumbing pipes.
- Clean your toilet regularly with baking soda, vinegar or mild soap.
- Consider what kind of toilet paper you are using; some break down less effectively than others and can cause clogs to happen more often.
- If you get brown water backing up into your shower or sink when you flush, call a plumber immediately; these are signs of a more serious issue.
- Inspect for leaks using food coloring. Add 6 drops of food coloring to your tank. If your toilet bowl water changes color, you have a leak!
 About Keepe:
Keepe is an on-demand maintenance solution for property managers and independent landlords. We make hundreds of independent contractors and handymen available for maintenance projects at rental properties in the Greater Seattle, Greater Phoenix, Greater San Francisco Bay and Greater Portland areas. We’re also expanding. Learn more about Keepe at http://www.keepe.com
