A leaky or clogged toilet can be caused by a number of different things, all of which can result in a horrible backup. Many people assume that the primary reason that their toilet is not working is because a foreign object has been flushed, which is too large or not soluble enough to go down the pipes. 

Some of these products could include baby wipes, sanitary napkins, paper towels, cotton balls, masses of hair, or even children’s toys. These are definitely common culprits of toilet issues, but they are not the only ones by any means.

Some of the other reasons why your toilet may not be working include:

• You have a low-flush toilet that does not have enough water pressure
• The drain line itself is clogged or has become corroded over time
• The toilet bowl’s tank does not have enough water, which means it will not have the required pressure to push out waste
• Hard water has built up calcified minerals in your toilet system
• The S-trap pipe right behind your toilet has become clogged
• Your septic tank drains too slowly, in turn affecting your toilet