Toilet Won’t Flush, Things to Do

“The toilet won’t flush” – the statement itself can be quite frustrating if you’re the handyman around the house.

Now, imagine having to actually handle the situation when you don’t know squat about plumbing. You can always call a plumber for help, but why spend the extra bucks when the job can be done without a professional?

Believe it or not, a little patience and motivation can go a long way while tackling awkward bathroom incidents like these. However, most people fail to understand where to begin; and that’s where we come to the rescue.

Through this guide, we’ll be taking you through a list of reasons due to which your toilet may not flush. That’s not all; we’ve provided solutions to help you get your toilet fixed within no time.

So, without further ado, let’s get down to business!

Things To Do When The Toilet Won’t Flush

We’ve all come across this issue at least a couple of times, if not more. And it goes without saying that figuring out the problem that’s preventing the toilet from flushing is frustrating, especially when you don’t know where to begin looking.

This is why we decided to share the most common causes of the problem with their fixes. So, let’s begin…

1. Ensure The Shut-Off Valve Is Turned On

You may accidentally turn off the water shut-off valve of the toilet during a deep cleaning session, preventing water flow to the tank. The remaining stored water will be sufficient for one or two flushes, after which the water level becomes too low for the toilet to flush.

Look behind the base of your toilet, a few inches above ground level, to make sure the valve is turned on all the way. If it’s not, twist the head counterclockwise, giving it a minute to reset before trying to flush.

2. Check If The Toilet’s Clogged

Using too much toilet paper or flushing down anything other than that, like sanitary napkins, may clog the pipes, further adding to your inconvenience. In that case, a toilet plunger or auger can help you push the waste through by creating suction to dislodge the items blocking the flushing action.

We’d also suggest using a thinner type of toilet paper if you’re experiencing frequent clogging. Furthermore, avoid flushing paper towels and other heavy products to prevent future hassles.

3. Inspect The Rubber Flapper

For those who don’t know, the rubber flapper is designed to release water when the toilet is flushed. Once done, it closes the water intake outlet, ensuring sufficient water is left in the tank.

That said, if the water isn’t being released, it means the flapper isn’t seated properly, or it’s bent, failing to seal the flush tube hole. To check if it needs replacement, remove the toilet tank lid and inspect it properly.

Being inexpensive and readily available in hardware stores, rubber flappers can be replaced without the help of a professional plumber. All you need to do is turn off the water supply and drain the tank before swapping it with a new one. You may then try flushing the toilet to make sure that the issue is resolved.

4. Take A Look At The Lift Chains

In case you find the rubber flapper in a perfectly working condition, there’s no need for replacement. However, make sure you take a look at the lift chain that attaches it to the flushing handle located on the toilet exterior.

At times, the chain might have too much slack, making it difficult for the handle to raise the flapper, which, in turn, prevents the toilet from flushing. You can solve this problem by adjusting the length of the chain to shorten it.

This will provide sufficient pull to raise the flapper off the flush tube, allowing the water to flow as required.

Final Words

With this, we come to the end of our informative guide that was created to help you tackle your toilet flushing situation. We’ve covered the four common causes which may stop your toilet from flushing.

Moreover, these problems can be easily tackled without the need of professional help. But in the worst-case scenario, if your issue isn’t listed, and you’re unable to flush the toilet even after trying everything, there’s no harm in contacting a plumber or professional plumbing service.

On that note, we’ll now take your leave. Till next time!

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