Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing?
A toilet that won’t flush is inconvenient, but there’s good news: it’s probably a simple fix.
SWR Plumbing’s skilled staff has compiled the following list of the most common reasons a toilet won’t flush. Depending on the problem with your toilet, you may be able to remedy it without calling a plumber.
THE LIFT CHAIN IS TOO SLACK
If you press down on the handle and there is no resistance, the lift chain within the tank, which links to the flapper and releases water, has most likely changed, leaving too much slack on the chain.
Solution: Remove the tank lid and shorten the lift chain until there is no more slack between the flapper and the handle.
THE TOILET IS OBSTRUCTED
A blocked toilet is practically unavoidable if someone in your household used too much toilet paper, dropped an object like a toy into the bowl, or flushed a sanitary product.
Solution: You may be able to fish out surface things such as toys. However, for absorbent things such as sanitary goods or diapers, try plunging out the clog or clearing it with a toilet brush.
THE LEVEL OF WATER IS LOW.
Your toilet will not flush if there is insufficient water in the bowl. Your tank’s float ball may have been misaligned, signifying to your toilet that there is insufficient water to flush effectively.
Solution: Lift the tank cover open. The float ball should be 1 to 2 inches above the overflow tube and fill valve. There may also be a line engraved into the porcelain indicating the level at which the float ball should remain. Maintain that level by adjusting the float ball.
THE FLAPPER HAS BEEN WARPED
If your toilet is frequently running, the flapper may be twisted. When you press the toilet handle, the flapper is attached to the lift chain and opens. A rubber flapper can flex or distort over time, rendering it impossible to close the flush tube opening and allow water to flush the toilet.
Solution: Go to a hardware or home improvement store and get a new flapper. They are cheap and simple to find. Turn off the water supply, drain the toilet tank, and install the new flapper in place of the deformed flapper. Reconnect your water supply and attempt flushing the toilet again.
THERE IS A DRAIN OR SEWER PROBLEM
If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and your toilet still won’t flush, it’s time to hire a plumber to inspect your plumbing and sewage system for serious backups. The most obvious symptom that you have a drain line or sewage system problem is clogged drains throughout your home, not just in your toilet.
Solution: Contact a certified plumber who has the equipment and skills to locate obstructions without removing pipes. When there is a problem with a drain line or plumbing, a do-it-yourself remedy is no longer an option. To make the necessary repairs, your plumbing specialist will most likely employ video pipe inspection as well as long-reaching augers.
CALL SWR PLUMBING FOR MELBOURNE PLUMBING REPAIRS
Contact SWR Plumbing if you reside in the Melbourne area and would want a professional to inspect your toilet. Seven days a week, our skilled, certified plumbers have the skills and expertise to deliver same-day assistance.
Call 1800 255 372 or contact us online immediately, and we’ll send a qualified plumber to repair your toilet as soon as possible.