Is Your Toilet Saving Water or Clogging Your Pipes?

If your home was constructed before the mid-1980s, your existing toilet is likely worth refurb particularly if it’s connected to a cast iron drainage system. However, if your house is more modern, you may want to consider replacing your toilet with a newer, more water-efficient model.

To gain insight into this topic, let’s explore some key aspects of plumbing in the northern Dallas-Fort Worth area.

How Much Water Does Your Toilet Flush?

Suburban areas surrounding Dallas, such as Plano, and Carrollton, are home to numerous residences constructed during the mid-to-late 20th century. Due to the lack of time, many homes in these areas feature toilets that consume a significant amount of water with each flush, often exceeding 3 gallons per use.

Familiar with conserving water and reducing utility bills, homeowners often addressed low-flow toilet problems by inserting a brick into the toilet tank. In older models, the tank was spacious enough to accommodate a brick without disrupting its function, allowing it to operate with reduced water usage.

The Energy Policy Act was passed by Congress with significant changes. One key provision of this legislation required the phase-out of toilets using more than 1.6 gallons per flush. Following this mandate, all residential toilets sold in the United States had to meet the standard 1.6 gpf requirement.

For two decades, this was the prevailing situation in Texas. Notably, for residents of the North D Specifically, in Collin and Denton counties, nearly 60% of the existing housing stock the 20 years spanning 1990 to 2010.

Residents of cities such as Frisco, or Lewisville probably have a 1.6 gallon per flush toilet in their home, unless it has been upgraded or replaced with a newer model.

The Pros and Cons of Water-Saving Toilets

The shift to water-efficient toilets has largely achieved its desired outcome. The widespread adoption of low-flow toilets and fixtures has led to a significant reduction in per capita over the past three decades. This trend has alleviated pressure on the water infrastructure in rapidly growing regions like North Texas, while also yielding cost savings on utility bills for the typical homeowner.

However, as is often the case, unforeseen problems arose. From our perspective as plumbers specializing in residential services, we’ve observed that many toilets installed in the aftermath of the legislative update were flaws. While manufacturers managed to comply with the new regulations, the toilets frequently lacked sufficient flushing force and were prone to clogging.

Toilets may appear straightforward at first glance, but the design of an effective, quiet, water-efficient, and hygienic toilet involves intricate engineering considerations. Various toilet models exist, and the testing processes, like the MaP protocol, can be highly thorough.

With advances in technology and manufacturing, modern toilets are designed to efficiently flush more than 1,000 grams of waste using only 1.28 gallons of water.

Regrettably, many homes constructed in DFW over the past three decades have been equipped with low-cost, mass-produced toilets that met “builder grade” in this context extends beyond mere appearance, as it can also imply a higher likelihood of maintenance issues, including regular c-present risk of sewage backups.

In addition to the negative effects of inefficient toilet design, another unexpected outcome-saving, low-flow toilets is the presence of an aging cast iron piping system beneath many houses that was not previously considered.

How Do WaterSense Toilets Affect the Drain Pipes?

Water-efficient toilets labeled with the WaterSense certification impact the drain pipes in a specific way. In homes constructed before the mid-1980s, the drain pipes were predominantly composed of cast iron material. These cast iron sewer lines degrade gradually over time as a result of the corrosion caused by water and chemical substances that are flushed down the drain. Ultimately, the deterioration of these pipes will necessitate their replacement.

However, many toilets that are still in good condition may have an interior coating of rust and rough residue. This buildup significantly raises the risk of blockages. Luckily, the older toilets in these houses did not have water usage limits. The traditional 3-gallon toilets flushed a large amount of water, assisting in clearing solid waste from the rough cast iron surfaces and sending it to the city sewer system.

As time passes, the toilets deteriorate or become damaged. A lot of the older 3-gallon toilets are now being replaced with new 1.28 gpf toilets. Although these new toilets may offer various advantages and a stronger flush, they use less than half the amount of water to dispose of waste. Despite effectively clearing the toilet bowl, the reduced water flow can lead to waste becoming stuck in the pipes and causing blockages.

We suggest that individuals refurbish their existing toilets instead of getting new ones if their home has cast iron piping beneath the foundation. Homes built after the mid-1980s or those that have had their cast iron piping replaced typically have newer PVC (plastic) pipes.

PVC, unlike cast iron, is resistant to rust and corrosion. Although there may still be a buildup of grease and waste, it is more likely to occur in the pipes that are linked to the kitchen sink. If the installation of the pipes is done properly and there have been no breaks to changes in the foundation, Watersense toilets generally do not face issues in transporting waste through a PVC system.

How To Prevent Toilet Clogs On Cast Iron Plumbing Systems

If your existing toilet needs to be changed for any reason (such as the porcelain breaking, etc), do you think you will have to deal with regular blockages?

Here are a few tips that may help

Swap Toilet Locations

Consider exchanging the positions of the toilets. Understanding the layout of your waste and drain pipes can be beneficial when determining the placement of a water-efficient toilet. It is advisable to position the toilet near the exit point of the drain pipe underneath the house for optimal functionality. This approach can enhance the efficiency of the toilet installation process.

In a scenario where the malfunctioning toilet is situated in the master bathroom, located at the rear of the house, while the sewer line is positioned at the front. Rather than placing the new WaterSense toilet in the master bathroom, relocate a functioning 3 gpf toilet from the front guest bathroom to the master bathroom. Then, install the new toilet This setup reduces the distance the low-flow toilet needs to transport waste, making it a more efficient arrangement.

Flush More Than Once

If you have invested in a top-notch, effective toilet and have confirmed its quality through research, you may find that a single flush is sufficient to empty the bowl. Nevertheless, if your water-conserving toilet is connected to cast iron pipes, it is advisable to flush 2 or 3 times when disposing of solid waste to avoid common low-flow toilet problems.

The additional water might appear unnecessary, but it is beneficial to push the toilet paper and waste through the coarse cast iron pipes to reach the municipal sewer system.

Additionally, it’s beneficial to keep the toilet handle pressed down for a longer duration. By doing so, you’ll ensure that the entire tank of water is released, reducing the chances of low-flow toilet problems.

Use Septic Safe Toilet paper. 

The quality of toilet paper varies in its impact on your home’s drain pipes, especially when dealing with low flow toilet problems. You may be familiar with “septic safe” concerning toilet paper. Even though many homes in the suburbs do not have private septic systems, it is advisable to opt for septic-safe toilet paper, especially if you have a 1.28 gallons per flush toilet connected to a cast iron system.

Toilet paper specifically designed for septic systems is engineered to rapidly dissolve in water, which is essential for preventing blockages. The interior of rough cast iron pipes can easily catch onto thicker, more durable toilet paper, allowing it to accumulate and remain in place. If this type of toilet paper doesn’t break down quickly, it can linger in the pipe, eventually catching additional paper and debris, ultimately leading to a complete clog and contributing to low-flow toilet problems.

Descale Your Cast Iron Pipes

If the cast iron pipes beneath your house are showing signs of deterioration, it may be necessary to consider replacing them entirely or in part. However, if you’re dealing with low flow toilet problems, a thorough descaling process can help restore their functionality by removing accumulated debris.

Typically, a standard drain snake or sewer equipment is not sufficient to accomplish this task, but there are specialized tools, such as hydro jetters specifically engineered to tackle this type of challenge.

By removing the rust and improving the smoothness of your aging cast iron pipes, you can reduce the likelihood of experiencing frequent blockages, particularly if you also implement the other recommended advice.

What’s Next?

The background and advancements in toilets are truly intriguing. The details shared in this article will help you make informed choices regarding the maintenance, upgrade, and operation of the toilets in your household.

For further assistance with your toilet concerns or slab drain piping issues, don’t hesitate to contact us at 469-361-2700 Our team at Chrome Air Conditioning consists of highly skilled, licensed plumbers who excel in their field. We’re committed to providing prompt and effective solutions to your plumbing problems and empowering you with the knowledge and expertise necessary to make informed decisions.