One of the terrifying bathroom issues is when your toilet refuses to flush. It’s a typical household problem that may be quite inconvenient to deal with. In this article, we’ll look at some of the probable causes of your toilet not flushing properly and professional options for fixing it.
1. Malfunctioning Flush Button
The flush button is a small, round piece of plastic that is usually located on the top of the tank or just behind it. The flush button is spring-loaded, and when you push it, the valve underneath the tank opens and allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl. The water in the bowl then flushes the contents of the toilet away.
If the flush button is not working properly, it may be sticking, broken, or simply not making a good connection with the valve. You can try pressing the button several times to see if that clears the problem. If not, you may need to replace the flush button.
2. Clogged Vent Pipe
The vent pipe is a small pipe that sticks up out of the roof. It allows air to enter the plumbing system so that water can flow freely. If the vent pipe is clogged, it can cause all sorts of problems, including a toilet that won’t flush.
The vent pipe can become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris. You can try to clear the clog yourself with a plunger or a plumber’s snake. If you can’t clear the clog, you’ll need to call a plumber.
3. Broken Flapper
The flapper is the rubber seal that covers the hole at the bottom of the tank. When you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts and allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl. If the flapper is damaged, it may not seal properly, and water will leak from the tank. You’ll need to replace the flapper to fix the problem.
4. Low Water Level in Tank
If the water level in the tank is low, it may not be enough to properly flush the toilet. The water level should be at least 1 inch below the overflow tube. If it’s not, you’ll need to adjust the float to raise the water level.
5. Broken Fill Valve
If the fill valve is broken, the toilet won’t refill properly after flushing. The fill valve controls the water level in the tank; if it’s broken, the tank won’t fill with enough water to properly flush the toilet.
A broken fill valve can usually be repaired by replacing the valve. If the valve is beyond repair, you’ll need to replace the entire fill valve assembly.
6. Damaged Overflow Tube in the Tank
If water is leaking out of the overflow tube in the tank, this is most likely due to a broken flush valve. The flush valve is the large white plastic piece that controls the water flowing into the bowl.
A broken flush valve will often be accompanied by a hissing sound as water leaks out of the tank and into the bowl. A broken flush valve is a very common problem and often results from mineral deposits on the valve.
You can replace a flush valve by removing the tank lid, turning off the water, emptying the tank, flushing the bowl to empty the tank of water, and detaching the supply line from the tank.
Conclusion
If your toilet doesn’t flush, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem. Six reasons why your toilet may not be flushing are: the handle may need to be tightened, the flapper may need to be replaced, the water level in the tank may be too low, the fill valve may need to be adjusted, the trip lever may need to be adjusted, or there may be something blocking the toilet. If you have tried all these things and your toilet still won’t flush, you may need to call a plumber.
Sunny Coast Plumbing and Gas provides 24-hour plumbing service in the Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane. Our services include residential and commercial plumbing, gas fitting, and hot water system. We also do repairs, maintenance, and renovation work, so contact us today!
