It’s one of the most frequently used fixtures in a home. And if it’s not doing its job, it can make life more than a little unpleasant. We’re talking about a toilet that won’t flush – an issue that can send any bathroom user into a panic.
Fortunately, this is a common problem that can often be solved without the help of a plumber – assuming you know what to look for. Here are some troubleshooting tips to get your toilet flushing once again.
- Make sure the water shut-off valve is turned all the way on. Sometimes, friction from a nearby object can nudge the valve it to the off position, preventing water flow to the tank. Look behind the base of the toilet and make sure the valve is turned all the way to the left. If it’s not, twist it counterclockwise, and give it a minute to reset before trying to flush. Once water flow has been restored, your issue should be resolved.
- Turn on the bathroom tap to ensure it’s not a water supply issue.If there’s no water in the toilet tank, the problem may not be with the toilet but rather with your home’s water supply. First, turn on the bathroom sink faucet to make sure the house still has water. If not, call your water provider to determine if there is a water outage due to maintenance or a potential water main break near your home.
- Pour water into the toilet to clear pipe clogs. Sometimes to solution is almost too simple to work. Heat a tea kettle of water on the stove until just boiling, then let it sit for a minute. Add a squirt or two of dish soap to the toilet bowl and pour the water into the toilet (not so much that it causes the bowl to overflow). Wait about 15 minutes to give the soap and hot water a chance to soften the clog, then flush.
- Time to try the plunger. First, make sure the water in the bowl isn’t high enough to overflow when you insert a plunger. If it is, use a disposable plastic cup to ladle some liquid into a bucket. Next, get a plunger and place its flange directly into the drain opening. Hold it in place to seal the drain while pumping up and down for 20 seconds. If the clog has cleared, you should be able to remove the plunger and flush the toilet.
- Remove the top of the toilet tank and check the flapper. Carefully remove the top of the tank and set it aside. Over time, the flapper, shaped like an inflated balloon, can get damaged and warped. If this is the case with yours, you can purchase a new flapper at your local home improvement store and swap it out yourself.
- Make sure the lift chain is connecting the toilet handle to the flapper. If there is too much slack in the lift chain or it’s not connected at all, it won’t react when you try to flush. Either re-attach it or adjust the length by slipping a different link over the hook at the lever end. Leave just enough length so that the flapper can close completely.
If you’ve tried all the methods above with no success, or you’re not much of the DIY type, it’s time to call the plumbing experts at Eagle Service Company. We get it – you just want your plumbing to work. And when it doesn’t, you want it fixed fast and right, the first time. So for plumbing repairs big or small, contact us today.
