Nearly One Third of Educational Facilities Experience Toilet Clogs Daily

Toilet clogs can be more than a routine maintenance issue for educational facilities, creating additional work for custodial teams and disrupting daily operations.

A recent Sofidel survey of school custodians about the frequency, causes and impact of toilet clogs in schools and universities found that 30% of custodial professionals deal with toilet clogs multiple times per day, while another 20% encounter them several times per week. In some facilities, responding to these issues can take significant time, with respondents reporting 21 to 40 hours per month spent addressing toilet clogs. Sofidel survey

“Custodial teams already have a long list of responsibilities, and repeatedly responding to toilet clogs can take valuable time away from other areas of the facility,” said Tahnie Gilliland, Sofidel America marketing specialist. “These findings give us a closer look at the frequency of clogs in educational facilities and the challenges they create.”

Residence halls, stadiums and arenas and athletic facilities were the largest problem areas, highlighting the potential impact of high-traffic environments on restroom maintenance.

When asked about the causes of toilet clogs, 54% of respondents identified excessive toilet paper use as a contributing factor, while 52% cited paper towels as a common cause. The findings underscore the importance of considering how restroom paper products are used and disposed of, particularly in high-traffic facilities.

The impact of clogs can extend beyond custodial workloads. Nearly half (43%) of respondents said toilet clogs contribute to event disruptions and slip-and-fall concerns, demonstrating how maintenance issues can create broader challenges for educational facilities.

Sofidel estimates that the average annual cost of toilet clogs reported by facilities is US$1,673.