One clog is bad luck. A toilet that clogs every week is telling you something. The problem might be the toilet, the pipe behind it or the way the house is used. This guide goes through the causes in order from cheapest to check to most involved.
Start with what goes down
Toilet paper and human waste are the only things a toilet should carry. Wipes, even those marked flushable, do not break down fast enough. Paper towels, cotton pads, feminine products and dental floss tangle and build up in the pipe.
Too much paper at once also clogs. If a household uses a lot per flush, flush twice or use less. Low-flow toilets rely on a clean path, and any narrowing makes them fail.
Check the toilet itself
| Cause | Clue | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral buildup under the rim | Weak flush | Clean rim jets with vinegar and a brush |
| Low tank water level | Weak, short flush | Adjust the fill valve or float |
| Partial blockage in the trap | Slow drain, gurgle | Auger |
| Old, inefficient model | Frequent clogs from new | Consider replacing |
| Worn flapper | Weak flush, constant running | Replace the flapper |
A toilet auger, also called a closet auger, reaches the trap without scratching the porcelain. A regular snake can scratch it. Use a flange plunger rather than a sink plunger.
Still clogging?
Call and we look past the toilet at the pipe behind it.
Check the pipe behind it
If every toilet in the house is slow, or the bathtub gurgles when you flush, the clog is farther down. A partial main line blockage lets a few flushes through and then backs up. Roots, grease and a sagging pipe all do this.
A camera inspection shows what a cable cannot. Our drain cleaning team can run one and tell you the cause.
Vent problems
Every drain needs air. A blocked vent stack, often by a bird nest or snow cap, makes drains gurgle and flush weakly. If the toilet drains slowly only on windy days or in winter, ask a plumber to check the vent.
When to replace the toilet
- It clogs even with normal use and a clean pipe
- The bowl or tank is cracked
- It uses an old design that wastes water
- The porcelain trap has a rough or damaged surface
- You are remodeling and want a better design
A step-by-step way to find the cause
- 1
Count the affected fixtures
Only this toilet points to the toilet or its branch. Several point to the main.
- 2
Look at the water level
A low level in the bowl after a flush can mean a partial blockage past the trap.
- 3
Test the flush
A strong, quick swirl is healthy. A weak slow one points to rim jets or the tank.
- 4
Try the right tool
A flange plunger first, then a closet auger.
- 5
Ask for a camera
If clogs return in a few weeks, look inside the drain.
Write down what you try and what works. That log helps a plumber decide whether the toilet or the line behind it needs attention.
Household habits that make it worse
Flushing a lot of paper at once, flushing children's wipes and tossing small items into the bowl are the usual causes. A trash can with a lid within reach of the toilet prevents most of them. Teach kids that only toilet paper goes down.
If an older low-flow toilet clogs constantly, consider a newer pressure-assisted or well-designed gravity model. Newer designs flush with a taller siphon jet and are less prone to clogs.
A note for households with children and guests
Toilet paper brands differ. Thick, quilted paper can clog a low-flow toilet when used in volume, while thinner paper breaks down faster. If guests are staying, put a note and a small waste basket in the bathroom. A short reminder prevents the usual weekend clog.
For toddlers, a lid latch keeps toys out of the bowl. Retrieving a toy is a different job from clearing a clog, and some cannot be reached with a plunger.
If you rent, tell your landlord in writing about repeat clogs. A documented pattern helps get a camera inspection approved.
What to know in Savage
Savage's supply is hard. The City buys about 71.5 percent of its distributed water from Burnsville, whose 2025 report states hardness of 25 to 26 grains per gallon. Mineral deposits under the rim narrow the jets and weaken the flush, and a rim cleaning often helps.
Savage homes with older lines near Highway 13 and the Hamilton District may have roots or scale downstream of the toilet. Ask a plumber to scope the line if clogs recur.
Source type: City water report and city planning document
Code and sources
According to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, plumbing work in the state follows Minnesota Rules chapter 4714, which incorporates the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code with Minnesota amendments. Rules for permits and inspections vary by city, so ask your city's building department what your project needs.
What not to do
- Do not pour chemical drain cleaner into a toilet
- Do not flush wipes or paper towels
- Do not ignore a toilet that overflows repeatedly
- Do not use a sink plunger on a toilet
- Do not force a metal snake past the trap
When you need us, we cover Savage and nearby towns like Lakeville and Shakopee. For deeper drain trouble see sewer line cleaning.
Questions Savage homeowners ask
Low water level, rim buildup or a partial pipe blockage can cause it.
We recommend against it. They do not break down quickly.
A flange plunger made for toilets.
Yes. Mineral buildup under the rim narrows the jets.
If clogs recur or other fixtures gurgle or back up.
Still have a question about your situation? The line is open around the clock. Call (952) 866-9120