October 03/2022

How to Fix a Toilet That Won't Flush

Your toilet won’t flush? Don’t worry; you are not alone. This is a common issue that homeowners deal with at one time or another. Trying to figure out what’s causing your toilet to not flush can be frustrating if you don’t know what you are looking for. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we’ve decided to outline some of the reasons why your toilet won’t flush and what steps you can take to solve the problem.

Your Toilet Is Clogged

A clog anywhere in the system can make flushing impossible. A wide range of items, such as too much toilet paper, baby wipes, menstrual products, diapers, condoms, and cotton products are the common culprits behind toilet clogs.

Solution

An easy fix for a clogged toilet is to use a plunger or dislodge the clog with a toilet snake. If a plunger or toilet snake does not do the trick, it is time to call a reputable plumber to help you with toilet repair. You should also call a plumber to inspect your toilet and provide you with a long-lasting solution if you are experiencing frequent clogging. To prevent toilet clogs, be mindful of what you flush down the toilet.

The Flapper Is Damaged

A toilet flapper is a rubber piece inside your toilet tank that lets water flow out of the tank and into the bowl when you flush. If the flapper is bent, cracked, warped, or deteriorated, it won’t allow the toilet to hold water within the cistern, and this can cause problems with flushing.

Solution

A flapper is fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. Turn off the water, drain the tank, and then replace the old flapper with a new one. If this doesn’t fix the problem, call in a plumber to check your toilet and make repairs.

The Water Level in The Tank Is Too Low

Some of the common reasons, the water level in the tank is low include a damaged fill tube, clogged inlet holes, or a cracked toilet tank. When there isn’t enough water in the tank, your toilet won’t flush because there isn’t enough water to refill the bowl.

Solution

The water level in the cistern should be about one inch below the top of the overflow tube. If the water in the tank is too low, you’ll need to manually adjust the fill valve to ensure it refills to the correct level. In some cases, the water may be too low as a result of a malfunctioning float ball. You may need to inspect the float ball as well to see if it’s sinking too low.

The Lift Chain Is Loose or Disconnected

As the name suggests, the lift chain lifts the flapper valve to release water into the toilet bowl. If this component is loose, broken, or disconnected, it won’t be able to lift the flapper to allow water to flow when the handle is pulled.

Solution

If the lift chain is loose, adjust its length to shorten it so that it can provide sufficient pull on the flapper. If the chain is broken, buy a new one from the hardware store and replace it.

When you’re in need of toilet repair in your home or business premises, you can count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing to get the job done right the first time.