Skip to main content
24 Hours 365 Days - Get Services Now. Pay with       or pay later with  

PARTS OF A DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND CAUSES OF CLOGGED TOILET

December 14, 2021

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a clogged toilet. Cleaning a clogged toilet can be time-consuming and unpleasant. Before you decide, you should know the following about your clogged toilet and other common plumbing problems.

Toilet Parts

To repair a clogged toilet, you need to have a basic knowledge of the drainage system’s structure. 

P-trap

A P-trap in your drainage system connects your toilet to the drainpipe to keep the foul odor away and retain the standing water to make the drainage system watertight. 

Soil Stack 

After passing through the P-trap, the wastewater falls through the stack into the house drain and sewer. This large-diameter vertical drain pipe is the primary carrier of all wastewater generated in your home.

Soil Stack Vent 

It prevents back pressure in the drainage system, especially in the soil stack and the house drain. The soil stack is usually extended to the roof and left open to the outside air so that its top can be used as a vent.

House Drain

All wastewater and sewage directed through the soil stack end up in the house drain. This is the lowest point in your home’s plumbing system and connects directly to the sewer.

Cleanout

The side of the house drain opposite the flow direction normally extends upward with its end protruding from the basement floor. This end is temporarily closed by a cap or plug, which can be opened if access to the drain pipe is needed. This extended section is called the cleanout pipe.

The House Sewer

The drainage system carries all kinds of plumbing waste to the house sewer. This sewer connects directly to the main sewer, which runs under the road and takes the wastewater to the treatment plants.

What causes a clogged toilet?

Many reasons can lead to a clogged toilet. The most common are

Foreign object trapped in the trap 

The trap under your toilet is not a straight pipe, so the flush may not produce enough pressure to push complex objects down the drain. Sometimes wipes and tissues are enough to stop the flow of water.

Older Toilet 

No renovation for decades can also result in unflushed material accumulating in the trap and clogging the toilet.

Blocked drain stack 

Without a vent, the drain can experience backpressure, which is a major cause of sewage backup. Ensure the vent is free of any obstructions blocking the air passage.

Use basic techniques to clear clogs. If the clog persists, it’s a clear sign that you need the help of a professional plumber

Testimonials

Hear what our customers have to say about their experiences with Pinnacle Plumbing Group. 

  • Geoff Reany

    5 stars
    I highly recommend Pinnacle. Nick and Ash were prompt and responsive with quoting and scheduling installation of our new hot water unit. And plumbe...
  • Justine Sharman

    5 stars
    A great team, very reliable, great communication and good quality work
  • Mike B

    5 stars
    Conclusion: We strongly recommend Pinnacle Plumbing and will most certainly request them to do work for us in the future. The job: Around 10 perso...
  • Brendan Hughes

    5 stars
    We used Pinnacle Plumbing to undertake plumbing works as part of a home renovation. Not only were they reliable, professional and had great communi...
  • Cat Woods

    5 stars
    Such a great experience with Pinnacle Plumbing. I rang Nick on a Wednesday and by Friday noon, my toilet seat had been replaced efficiently and by ...
  • Chris Friday

    5 stars
    This company is very reliable and offers prompt service.
  • Virginia Dods

    5 stars
    This plumbing service was great at communication, understanding immediately what the issue seemed to be. They asked if it was an emergency - no, we...
  • Charlotte Fletcher

    5 stars
    Andrew and Lee came out to fix our bath which was leaking into the ceiling below. They were super easy to deal with, explained everything well, and...
  • Alona Reid

    5 stars
    Fabulous team to deal with from the start to finish on my carport roof plumbing! Nick and the crew, 5 stars!
  • Donna Taylor

    5 stars
    Plumbers came to the site and fixed my drains for a decent price , very professional. Highly recommend.
  • Ashleigh Smith

    5 stars
    Amazing work and great prices ! Best plumbing company in Melbourne. Highly recommend Nick and his team
  • Angela Rybalko

    5 stars
    I had a burst pipe at 7pm on a Wednesday night, called about 3 plumbers before finally I got on to Pinnacle who answered straight away. They arriv...
  • Stephanie Crawley

    5 stars
    I have used Pinnacle Plumbing Group for various plumbing jobs during my renovations. Each time, the expertise of the team has saved me time and mon...
  • Peter Wards

    5 stars
  • Dan Kelly

    5 stars
    Great service, very responsive, and showed up on time! Would highly recommend.
  • grant belchamber

    5 stars
    Second time I have used Nick Rybalko's Pinnacle Plumbing Group, last year for roof leak, this week for leaking toilet cistern. Fixed promptly both...
  • Kelvin Wang

    5 stars
    The most professional and reliable plumbing company I have ever used. Brilliant work with reasonable price. Customer service is amazing as well, es...
  • Joe Reed The Crafty Corner

    5 stars
    So grateful to Pinnacle Plumbing for working hard to accomodate me at short notice. They went out of their way to ensure that my issue was fixed pr...
  • Yanni Anastasiadis

    5 stars
    These guys do absolute quality work ! Nick and his team are easy to work with and ensure the job was smooth for us from start to finish! Thanks aga...
  • Charli Tjoe

    5 stars
    Nick and his team have been very prompt, friendly and professional. They've done great work for our pub and we will happily use them again for any ...
  • Craig Rowston

    5 stars
    Nick and Andy were great to deal with. Organised, on time and efficient to deal with on an older style roof, with a "bit going on". Support your lo...
  • Josh Branton

    5 stars
    Very impressed with the service for a replacement sink. Compared to other quotes we received, the price was competitive and took the time to confir...
  • Ch Farren

    5 stars
    I would definitely recommend this company. They responded promptly and fixed a roof leak, partially replacing the box guttering. Good service, goo...
  • Sheryl Carnie

    5 stars
    Pinnacle Plumbing were helpful, efficient and professional when the hot water service in our rented property failed on the eve of the Easter holida...
  • Brendan Corr

    5 stars
    Great service, very professional and competitive pricing. Fantastic to do business with.
  • Bel Karaliamis

    5 stars
    Thank you so much Pinnacle Plumbing! Special thx to Kyle and Simran. Kyle have given us a valid quote parameters and attended as emergency case. Si...
  • Franklin Lofts

    5 stars
    I have had a variety of works completed from Pinnacle, all with professionalism and courtesy. They are quick to respond and easy to deal with, high...
  • sophie su

    5 stars
    Kyle and Nick were both excellent , experienced good plumber. very responsive and provide good solutions , will recommened !
  • Jean Healey

    5 stars
  • Kim R

    5 stars
    Nick was my first contact at pinnacle, he was lovely on the phone and managed to fit us in that week! Rhys, came out to camera our pipes. He was v...
  • Reign W1

    5 stars
    Great service. Thank you Dan!
  • Marcus Trainor

    5 stars
    Superstar plumbers.
  • Liam McCallum

    5 stars
    There was a leak in the bathroom that was running to the apartment below. The plumber was professional and friendly with both myself and the tenan...
  • Brione Johnston

    5 stars
    Great service - Dan was professional, on time and listened to what we needed done. We definitely recommend Pinnacle plumbing.
  • Michael Piritidis

    5 stars
    The basics of what you want from a tradesperson they did what they said they were going to do when they said they were going to do it and at the pr...
  • Dan Ryan

    5 stars
    Really happy with our service from Pinnacle - professional, great communication, and they resolved our issues. Would recommend and use again.
  • Naomi F

    5 stars
    I was very happy with the service I received. Zach arrived within 24 hours of my phone call and was friendly and professional. I had a complicated ...
  • Melissa Clare

    5 stars
    I would not hesitate to recommend Nick and his team at Pinnacle Plumbing. The hot water in our shower was getting increasingly colder (Melbourne wi...
  • Lindsay Mann

    5 stars
    Isaak provided great service. He fixed the problem that was the reason for the call plus advised on some improvements to the plumbing setup that ...
  • 아트하트

    5 stars
    Our plumber, Isaak from Pinnacle, was very friendly and did a great job. He even wiped the dirty remaining parts when he changed the kitchen waste....
  • Kerrie Setiawan

    5 stars
  • T M

    5 stars
    On behalf of Anne Goyne:- They did an amazing job on in a very difficult location and got everything done within the quote and on time before the r...
  • Stephen Anderson

    5 stars
    Tradesman (Basil) turned up on time and was very polite. He was very professional keeping us updated with progress and after completion cleaned the...
  • Frank McCulloch

    5 stars
    Seamless experience - onsite within the hour and work completed professionally. Well done
  • Jack McCarthy

    5 stars
    Jack and Basil provided a high level of professional service and workmanship, which made what was a stressful situation, all the easier. Keep up th...
  • christian

    5 stars
    Sewer was blocked for an investment property. Pinnacle were quick to respond and resolved the issue promptly. Tenants were very happy.