Cleaning a toilet bowl is never a person’s first choice, but it’s a very crucial part of keeping our bathrooms safe to use. Finding black sediment in toilet bowls can be unsettling and unpleasant, so what causes it to occur?
Black sediment in your toilet bowl can occur for a few reasons, but the most common culprit is residue from a broken toilet part or contaminants that are building up in your toilet. In some circumstances, it might actually be caused by your water supply or your plumbing.
To figure out what exactly is causing this black sediment, you will have to thoroughly inspect your toilet and give it a thorough clean. You may also have to consider repairing or replacing parts of your toilet.
What Causes Black Sediment In A Toilet Bowl?
Your toilet bowl could have black sediment surrounding it for numerous reasons. This kind of sediment is usually a sign that a component inside your toilet is starting to break or degrade. When this happens, it can cause black, plastic-like remnants to make its way around your toilet, including in your toilet bowl. Parts that can cause this include your toilet’s gaskets or float.
If your plumbing system is sourced by hard water, it causes a lot of minerals to flow through your home’s plumbing at a faster rate. These minerals can cause black sediment, staining, and other noticeable changes to your water fixtures. Excess moisture and humidity as well as insufficient cleaning can also cause mold to accrue in your toilet bowl, which usually takes the form of a black ring.
Homes with older plumbing systems may also cause a lot of sediment build up in a toilet bowl and throughout the home. Pipes that are starting to break down may push all kinds of gunk and sediments of different colors up from the pipes and into your toilet bowl. These sediments will usually stick to the sides of your toilet bowl until you scrub them out.
Regardless of the reason, your toilet bowl has this sediment buildup, cleaning your toilet bowl usually isn’t enough to stop the problem. Proper cleaning protocols can help prevent some issues from getting worse, but you’re likely to continue experiencing this unsightly build-up until you are able to figure out the exact cause.
How To Tell Where Black Sediment Has Come From
As unpleasant as it might be, taking a close look at the black sediment spotted in your toilet will give you a better indication of where it has come from. This kind of sediment will look different depending on its source.
If your sediment is because of a buildup of minerals, there’s a good chance you’ll notice some black sediment in other water fixtures of your home. You might see remnants of mineral deposits in your sinks, your bathtub, or even your washing machine. While this sediment is typically easy to remove from your toilet, it will come back.
If the black sediment is mold, it will usually look soft or fluffy and it will continue to build upon itself until it’s cleaned away. Mold can usually only grow in a damp and humid environment, so be sure to try and tackle this issue to avoid mold spreading throughout your bathroom.
If you notice that the black sediment seems to have a grainy or sandy consistency, there’s a possibility that your locality’s water supply is the culprit. Chat with some of your neighbors and see if they’re experiencing similar problems. You should also check your toilet tank to see if the black sediment is in there as well.
How To Get Rid Of Black Sediment In Toilet Bowls
When it comes to sediment caused by broken toilet parts, the most obvious solution is to replace those broken-down parts. In some cases, replacing these parts might not be enough. You may end up having to replace your toilet tank if your toilet happens to be older.
Sediment from mineral deposits can often be taken care of by installing a water softener. A thorough cleaning will take care of black sediments, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come back. Diagnosing the specific cause is the only way you’ll get rid of them for good.
What To Do If Black Sediment Is A Plumbing Issue
Flushing out your pipes and drains with some white vinegar and baking soda may help to get rid of some of the junk inside your plumbing system that is causing black sediment to build in your toilet. If the cause is old pipes, however, there isn’t much you’ll be able to do to stop the issue outside of having pipes replaced, which is costly but often necessary.
Sometimes what seems like a plumbing issue may actually be a problem with your city or neighborhood water supply. Since you don’t have much control over this, your municipality will have to try and figure out the problem and solve it for you.
How To Prevent Black Sediment In Your Toilet Bowl
There are ways you can try to prevent some of the common causes of black sediment buildup. For example, the cleaning products you use for your toilet can play a role in how quickly the internal elements start to degrade. Harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia are not only bad for the water supply, but they’re also rough on the inside and outside of your toilet.
Since many of the internal parts of your toilet that can cause black sediment are usually either plastic or rubber, they are somewhat fragile in and of themselves. When you add really strong chemicals to the mix, those parts are going to deteriorate. Little pieces of rubber or plastic can break off and cake themselves around your toilet bowl until you scrub them away.
Water softeners have their pros and cons, but they are worth consideration if your water seems to have a lot of minerals in it. You can easily have your water tested if you’re concerned about mineral levels and whether a water softener is a feasible solution for you.