If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you heard from a friend of a friend who’s cousin’s uncle’s bathroom toilet exploded and you’re asking yourself “is this even possible?” I believe this is called an urban legend? With that being said, have you ever wondered if there’s any truth to a bathroom toilet exploding?
Although it’s doubtful, in some instances, a bathroom toilet can explode if there’s a problem with the internal pressure system or the flush assist system. It can also explode because of a bad septic tank that doesn’t work well.
To learn more about how toilets work and how to prevent yours from exploding, keep on reading.
Can Bathroom Toilets Explode
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With all the important things that you might be worrying about when you’re moving into a new house, you need to consider the possibility of this annoying idea. Bathroom toilets can explode in certain conditions. Unfortunately, when toilets explode, they can cause some serious damage and injuries.
A Problem With the Flushing System or Installation
Although it’s not something that happens a lot, you need to know that toilets can explode in real life and not just in funny or action movies. This can happen either because of a problem with the flushing system or the way the toilet was installed.
Toilets have a flush assist system that stores water to flush the waste away. The pressure of the water is supposed to push the waste out, but if it accumulates near the seam of the pipes, the pipes will break.
A problem with the internal pressure related to the flushing mechanism is the culprit in this case. The mechanism puts pressure on the lines of the pumping system inside the toilet. The welded seams happen to be the weakest parts of the pipes, and there will be enough pressure to break the toilet, lift it off the floor, and shatter the tank and tiles into pieces.
One of the biggest toilet manufacturers, Flushmate, had to recall their toilets after multiple complaints of the toilet tanks exploding. The explosions caused several injuries and a lot of damage to people’s homes.
A Problem With the Septic Tank
Your toilet might also explode even if the flushing system is working adequately. If you have a septic tank, you must make sure that it’s working correctly because the accumulation of the methane gas can lead to a buildup that blows up your toilet and the whole bathroom.
To avoid this situation, you need to pay attention to the early signs that tell you that there’s something wrong with your septic tank. You might see some of the waste and water traveling back into the toilet bowl because the tank isn’t working the way it should. You might also smell some bad odors around the drain field.
In case of a storm, your septic tank might be at risk. Methane gas is flammable, and lightning can blow up your tank and eventually blow up your bathroom toilet.
What Are the Dangers of An Exploding Toilet
You probably think that the scene of an exploding toilet is a funny scene, but in real life, it can be really tragic.
Here are some things that can happen if a toilet explodes:
- When the toilet tank and bowl break, the tiles on the floor will also break. The broken tiles have sharp edges and are pretty heavy, so they can hit you in the face or anywhere on your body if you’re not careful.
- If you happen to be near the toilet or using it while it explodes, the explosion will make you fly off the ground and maybe suffer a few broken bones or ribs.
- The explosion will most likely destroy the glass structures in your bathroom. This includes the shower room, the windows, and the mirror and the broken glass can cut you.
How Often Do Toilets Explode
It’s not impossible, but luckily it doesn’t happen as often. As a matter of fact, the toilet can only explode when several factors combine together.
For example, a faulty flushing mechanism will cause the toilet to overload, but when the pressure increases near a weak pipe seam, there will be the risk of the seam breaking and the pipes exploding. With enough pressure, the toilet can literally fly off the floor and break into pieces.
In the case of a faulty septic tank, the buildup can cause the gases to fill your house. This can cause a foul odor that is actually dangerous for you to inhale over prolonged periods. If there’s a clog in your system, you need to make sure that all the filters and drains are working properly to prevent the waste from traveling the wrong way.
To avoid any problems with your septic tank, you need to be careful about what you throw into the toilet, or the pipes will get clogged. This will affect the way the system works.
You should also make sure that the drain field is set up properly and avoid pouring any chemicals into the toilet drain. Regular maintenance is necessary to make sure that your septic tank is working properly.
Can You Fix Your Toilet
You can definitely save your toilet from annoying explosions that can cost you hundreds and even thousands of dollars if you examine it at the right time. If you think that there’s something wrong with your toilet, it’s best to check the pressure system. Lift the lid off the tank and examine the parts of the flush assist system.
If you see a faulty brand or you’re suspicious about it, you can check the serial number to see if there are any recalls. Some brands offer a free repair kit and a replacement that allows you to enjoy a safe toilet.
If you can’t examine the parts by yourself, leave this job to a professional plumber. You can hire a plumber to examine the toilet and all the other pipes in your house.
For a septic tank, you need to pay attention to the filters to make sure that they’re always working. A septic tank needs to be examined every 3 years to guarantee that it’s working properly.
Conclusion
Although it’s highly unlikely, there’s a chance that your toilet might explode. This could happen for two reasons, a problem with the flush assist system or a buildup in your septic tank.
If you think that there’s something wrong with your plumbing, you can check it yourself, or hire a plumber to take a good look. Of course, you can always replace the flush assist system and get a new one. For the septic system, make sure that all the drains and filters are working correctly to prevent the buildup of methane gas.
