Many things can go wrong in a home, but one of the least desirable is when a toilet won’t flush. Unflushed toilets are more than just an inconvenience, they can also attract flies and other pests, adding to the already unpleasant situation. Thankfully, diagnosing and resolving problems with toilet bowl function is something many people can do on their own.
Diagnosing the Problem
When you have a toilet that won’t flush, the first step is to identify the problem. Steps to identify the most common causes are listed below:
1. Observe the Toilet
A toilet is a very simple device. Water in the tank is released into the bowl when you press the toilet handle. As this water builds up in the bowl, its weight pushes whatever was in the toilet down the drain. To diagnose the problem, first, flush the toilet to see where in this process things are going wrong.
2. Check for a Toilet Clog
If the toilet is clogged, the weight of the incoming water won’t be enough to push the waste down the drain. Instead, the water will simply fill up the bowl. It may even overflow. If the water level gets higher than usual and the toilet doesn’t flush, a clog is a likely culprit.
3. Check the Flapper
The flapper, or flush valve, is a rubber stopper that keeps the water in the tank until you flush the toilet. These can wear out, causing water to slowly leak into the toilet throughout the day. When this happens, it will make its way slowly down the drain and there won’t be enough water in the tank to flush the toilet when you need it to. The flapper is at the bottom of your toilet tank. If it’s worn out, improperly seated, or contaminated with debris, it can leak.
4. Check the Toilet Handle
With the top of the toilet tank still open, press the toilet handle. You should see the flapper get pulled up by a chain or other device when you do. If something is preventing this from happening, then no water will be released from the tank and the toilet won’t flush. Sometimes, the flapper opens, but not all the way. This can also prevent the toilet from getting the force it needs for a proper flush.
5. Check the Fill Valve
If the flapper operation isn’t the source of the problem, it could be that your fill valve isn’t working. These come in different forms, but all are operated by a floatation device of some sort. The floatation device lowers as the water leaves the tank, triggering the valve to turn on. As the water in the tank rises, the floatation device does too. When the tank is full, again, the fill valve stops. If there’s no water flow into the tank to replace what was flushed, it’s likely a problem with the fill valve.
Fixing the Problem
Once you’ve narrowed down the problem, you can begin the steps to fix it. The steps you follow will depend on which part you think is causing the issue. For each potential problem, the fixes are presented in the order you should try them.
Fixing a Clog
1. Use a Plunger
A plunger is the easiest way to clear a clog. Simply put the plunger into the toilet and position its mouth over the mouth of the drain. Try to get a good seal between the bowl and the plunger and then push down forcefully. This will force air into the drain and help to push clogged items through.
2. Use a Snake
Some clogs are too stuck for a plunger to work. In this case, a special tool known as a drain auger can be helpful. You may also have heard these called a snake. These devices have a thick, flexible, metal wire that extends deep into the drain of the toilet to push the clogs away.
Fixing a Flapper
3. Clean Any Debris
The easiest problem to fix with a flapper is debris. If some solid object, such as dirt, has made its way to the seat of the flapper, it can prevent the flapper from sealing and let water leak through. Removing the debris from the flapper can help restore the seal.
4. Reseat the Flapper
The flapper requires a perfect fit for the seal to work. However, the flapper is made of a soft material that can easily get twisted out of shape and not lose its proper fit. Sometimes, it’s as easy as manually repositioning the flapper and getting it sealed again.
5. Replace the Flapper
Over time, the soft material of the flapper can wear away. When this happens, the flapper is no longer capable of forming a seal. Because of their flexible material, they are easy to pop off and onto the mount, which makes for an easy replacement.
Fixing a Toilet Handle
6. Reattach the Connection
The handle attaches to the flapper using a chain and/or a bar. Sometimes, these connections come undone due to normal wear and tear. If that’s happened, they can simply be reattached to restore normal function.
7. Replace the Handle
In other instances, the handle is broken entirely. The chain or bar may have snapped, or the handle itself may have broken in a way that prevents it from operating properly. These parts can usually be replaced by simply unscrewing the old one, removing the connections and then screwing the new one on replacing those connections.
Fixing a Fill Valve
8. Reposition the Float
The float is what turns the water on and off. If the float gets stuck in the up position, it will never activate the fill valve. If you can see something blocking the operation of the float or its connection to the valve, you may be able to get it moving again and restore the function.
9. Clean any Clogs
Debris can make its way through your water lines into the fill valve. If it does, it may prevent water from flowing into the toilet. Sometimes, you can snap the top off the fill valve and see the debris that’s causing the issue. Clearing the debris and reassembling the valve can get the water flowing again.
10, Replace the Valve
If neither of the above fixes work, you’ll need to replace the entire valve. These easily screw in and out as well, but the toilet must be completely drained before the process. Your replacement valve will have detailed instructions for its specific installation needs.The plumbing fixtures in your home have a profound impact on its appearance. Our plumbing supplies include top of the line fixtures for your bathroom and beyond.
