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Why Toilet Drain Pipes Fail?

There are many reasons behind drain pipe failure. Check out the main reasons behind it:

Clogging: Clogs are a common cause of failures in toilet drain pipes. Excess amounts of toilet paper, wet wipes, and small physical items can compound and block the drain, and as a result, will inevitably restrict water flow. Without intervention, the clog will grow until it plugs off the flow of water entirely. This results in slow drains, gurgling noises from the toilet, or water flow backing up into the toilet itself. 

Old pipes: Old and deteriorated pipes are another everyday problem. Pipe materials that are of poor quality or have been neglected for years can crack, rust, or outright fail. Tree roots can also grow through the tiny openings in outdoor pipes, if present, ripping into the internals of the pipe and causing problems downstream. If pipes are also improperly installed, there may be weak points in the piping on top of that, which won’t help with future problems stemming from it.

Hard water issues: Hard water is also a sneaky problem. It deposits minerals in the pipes. These deposits restrict the size of the pipe opening and increase the likelihood of blockages. Even the smallest things, like slow-draining water or strange noises, should not be disregarded.

Common signs you need replacement

While your toilet drain generally works silently day in and day out, there are warning signs that you should not dismiss when it begins to fail. Catching these signs early could save you larger, more expensive issues in the future. 

Constant Clogs: If your toilet is frequently clogged even after plunging, the problem could actually be in the drain pipe. A damaged or narrowed drain pipe may have difficulty passing waste through smoothly.

Slow Draining: Water that takes longer than usual to drain away after your flush is a definite indication of blockage or a damaged part in your drain pipe.

Unpleasant Odours: Bad smells coming from your toilet mean something has gone wrong below your home. When sewer gases escape due to a cracked or leaking pipe, the unpleasant smell will always remain in your bathroom.

Wet Spots Around Base of Toilet: Wet spots, or stains near the base of your toilet, may indicate leaking water from a broken pipe. Allowing a leak to go undetected could allow for water to damage your floors, which becomes more expensive to repair.

Gurgling Sounds: If you hear strange gurgling noises after flushing your toilet, it indicates that trapped air is stuck in the pressure system inside your drain pipe. Trapped air occurs when a crack or blockage disrupts the natural flow of air and water.