Got a toilet that can’t flush properly? Whether the bowl empties halfway, it fills up with way too much water, or your toilet simply won’t respond when you push the flush lever, we’re here to help. At Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, we can diagnose and fix your non-functional toilet in a snap. That said, it’s never a bad idea for you to know what might be going on with your toilet too.
Read on to learn about the most common reasons toilets don’t flush and what you can do to get things moving again.
Toilet Lever Detachment
Is your toilet non-responsive when you push the flush lever down? If so, the chain that connects the handle to the flapper is probably detached or broken. Here’s what you can do to solve the problem:
● Take the lid off your toilet tank and locate the metal rod connected to the toilet lever.
● You should see a metal chain inside the toilet tank, which should connect to the metal rod on one end and the flapper on the other.
● If either end of the chain is detached, simply reattach it and your toilet should have no problem flushing.
If the toilet still refuses to flush, call a plumber. There’s likely another non-functional component that needs to be diagnosed.
Toilet Flange or Drain Clog
If there’s waste, debris (maybe even a child’s toy?) clogging up any part of the toilet’s drainage system, it won’t flush all the way. Grab a plunger and give the toilet drain a forceful plunging to see if that dislodges anything that might be causing a blockage. Try flushing again. If that doesn’t work, faulty or damaged components are likely at fault.
Water Level in the Tank Is Too Low
To empty fully, your toilet bowl needs a large influx of water from the tank. But if there’s not enough water in the tank to begin with, the bowl won’t get enough water to flush completely. To figure out if your toilet has enough water in the tank, here’s what you can do:
● Take the lid off the tank and look for a marking on the interior wall of the tank that indicates the optimal water level.
● If the water is below that marking, try adjusting the arm of the float ball, which will allow the tank to fill to the appropriate level. Then try flushing again.
If your toilet still won’t flush, it’s time to call in a plumber for a diagnosis or check out a few other components inside the tank.
Clogged Inlet Holes
Beneath the rim of your toilet bowl, there are several small openings that allow water to enter the bowl when you flush. Those holes are called inlet holes, and if they’re clogged up, they won’t allow water to flow from the tank into the bowl. Try cleaning the inlets thoroughly and then flush your toilet again. You should notice an increase in the amount of water that enters the bowl, and your toilet should flush more readily. If it doesn’t, it’s time to bring in a plumber.
Faulty Flapper
Your toilet’s flapper should move upward when you press down on the flush lever and remain elevated for short period to allow water to exit the tank and flow into the bowl. After enough water exits the tank, the flapper should move downward and seal off the hole so no more water can pass through.
If your flapper is deteriorated, improperly aligned with the tank hole, or its chain isn’t set to the proper length, water will leak from the tank. Ultimately, the toilet won’t flush as it should. To fix this issue, check the chain length and adjust if necessary. If it’s not the chain, you likely have a damaged flapper and will need to replace it.
Need Toilet Repairs Near Wisconsin Rapids? Contact Steve’s Plumbing & Heating
If your toilet won’t flush all the way, let our team at Steve’s Plumbing & Heating help you out. We specialize in toilet repair and installation, along with a wide variety of residential plumbing services for homeowners in Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and the surrounding areas. To find out what’s going on with your toilet, give us a call today at 715-421-1800 or feel free to request a service estimate online, and we’ll get back to you promptly.