Toilet Won’t Flush? Here’s What You Should Do
Posted on November 8th, 2021 by carrolladmin
Functional plumbing is a necessity in any home, and it can be a very frustrating experience when your toilet doesn’t flush and nothing you try seems to be working. When you have any kind of issue with your toilet, you certainly want to get it figured out right away. So what should you do if your toilet won’t flush?
Keep reading to learn about some of the most common reasons a toilet won’t flush and a list of possible DIY solutions that you can try before calling in a plumber. You never know – the problem might be easier to fix than you might think.
Water Tank Issues
One of the most common reasons a toilet won’t flush is a low water level in the toilet tank. This can be confirmed by taking a quick peek inside your tank. The proper water level is about 1 inch below the overflow valve. Many of us have experienced this issue at least once in our lives.
A quick fix for this problem is to pour some water into the back of the toilet tank and then see if your toilet will flush. A more permanent solution may involve realigning your toilet’s water intake valve, replacing the overflow tube, or adjusting the float ball. Other possible causes are pipe leaks and water pressure problems, which may require the services of a professional.
Disconnected Toilet Handle
If nothing happens when you attempt to flush your toilet, the flushing handle may have been disconnected inside the toilet tank.
This handle is designed to connect to a small arm and chain that lift the flapper and allow water to run into the bowl. If the chain has broken or become loose, the handle may be disconnected from the flapper and no longer work properly.
Thankfully, this is one of the easiest problems to fix. In most cases, you can simply reattach the mechanism or replace the part if necessary. The best way to mitigate this issue is to wait for the tank to refill before flushing a second time.
Malfunctioning Flapper
Another common cause of a toilet that won’t flush is a malfunctioning flapper. A toilet’s flapper functions by moving upwards when you flush, thus allowing water to exit the tank and be released into the toilet bowl. You can also identify this problem if your toilet is constantly running water.
A toilet flapper can become damaged, warped, or misaligned over time and may require a simple repair. To solve this problem, you may need to replace the flapper valve, reattach the chain to the flapper, or make other minor adjustments to your toilet’s internal components.
Many of these repairs are relatively cheap and can be quickly completed with parts from your local hardware store. A little bit of trial and error should fix your problem in no time.
Clogged Toilet
Toilet clogs are pretty easy to identify, but they aren’t always as easy to fix. Whether you simply flushed too much toilet paper at once, are dealing with an aging toilet that clogs easily, or your kids threw their favorite toy down the toilet, a clogged toilet can be annoying and costly to fix.
Suppose your attempts at plunging and using chemical unclogging products aren’t working. In that case, you can still try a toilet auger or other unclogging tool before you resort to calling in a professional.
Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding drain clogs, so be mindful of what you flush. If you experience frequent clogs, try using lower ply toilet paper and consider upgrading your toilet or pipes.
Clogged Drain Line
One of the more severe problems that you may experience is clogged plumbing. This can cause numerous issues, such as drains throughout your home not draining correctly or even a sewage backup into your home.
There are many possible causes for this, including aging drain lines, leaks, and damage from tree roots. You could even potentially have a backup originating in your municipal water system.
If you think you have an issue with your home’s plumbing, it is essential to address it right away before the problem becomes worse and causes expensive water damage, mold, leaks, and sewage overflow. These are serious issues that require the help of a professional.
Toilet Won’t Flush? Send in the Pros!
If none of the above fixes work, you may need to hire a professional plumbing service. Carroll Plumbing is available to assist with any plumbing-related services or issues. Give us a call today!
