We’ve all experienced it—the panic that sets in when a toilet doesn’t flush. Or worse, when it starts to overflow. Don’t fret just yet, because we’re going to explore the many reasons why your toilet isn’t flushing. From run-of-the-mill toilet clogs to deeper drain issues, our team at Hutchinson can help inspect and solve all of your plumbing problems. Let’s take a look.
Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing?
Toilets can only handle so much toilet paper and waste—but sometimes those wads of toilet paper aren’t the only culprit of your defective toilet. In this section, we’ll explore seven common reasons why your toilet isn’t working and how to fix it.
Clogged Toilet
The most common reason a toilet will clog is because of sanitary products or excessive toilet paper. Diagnosing a toilet clog is easy—if there’s something in your toilet that won’t go down after you flush, you have a small clog.
Most small clogs can be fixed with a plunger, a toilet brush, and some effort. For more complex clogs, your trusted Hutchinson plumber needs to use a toilet auger (similar to a drain snake) to clear the clog.
Outdated Low-Flow Toilet
Low-flow toilets made their grand entrance into the bathrooms of homeowners during the mid-1990s as a solution to water conservation. While low-flow toilets help limit harmful impacts on the environment, they are prone to clogging.
Because low-flow toilets use less water, waste may get stuck in the toilet or drain. If you have an outdated low-flow toilet that continues clogging, call the plumbers at Hutchinson for expert advice and maintenance solutions.
Damaged Flapper
If a clog isn’t the issue, then remove your toilet’s tank lid to inspect all of its mechanisms. First, check out the flapper valve. You can find the flapper valve at the end of the flushing lever chain. This rubber flap is designed to release water when the toilet flushes and will close to ensure the right amount of water stays in the tank.
Sometimes the rubber flapper gets bent or warped and won’t properly seal water into the tank; then, it’s time to replace it. Luckily, the rubber flapper is a small, inexpensive part that’s easy to swap.
Water Level
Is your water tank partially filled or empty? Make sure your water valve hasn’t been turned off. If it has, simply turn it back on, and problems solving.
If your toilet still isn’t flushing and your water isn’t reaching the appropriate level, check to make sure the overflow tube isn’t damaged. If it’s cracked, call one of Hutchinson’s professional plumbers to replace and repair the issue.
Handle & Chain
Does your toilet handle go limp when you depress it? If nothing happens when you try to flush, your issue is probably connected to your toilet’s chain. Lift your toilet’s tank lid and check out the chain that’s connected to your rubber flapper valve. The chain may be too long, too short, or disconnected from the valve.
Blocked Inlet Holes
Even though we use our toilets every day, we often don’t understand how they work. When flushed, water enters the toilet bowl through hidden jets called inlet holes. These holes exist under the rim of the toilet bowl and can become clogged by mineral deposits and bacteria if not cleaned.
To clean your inlet holes, pour hot vinegar into the overflow tube. After a few minutes, flush the toilet and use a hardy brush to scrub away any extra debris.
Drain Line Problems
Checked all of your toilet’s components, but still at a loss? You may have a larger plumbing issue. The drain lines that exist beneath your home can experience all sorts of malfunctions.
If you are experiencing backed-up drains popping up all around your house, then you might have an issue tied to your drain lines. Call a Hutchinson plumber to help diagnose and fix your drain issues today.
Flush Your Issues Down the Drain With Hutchinson
Toilet problems are a pain and can cause a real hindrance in your home. Luckily, flushing issues are usually minor and can easily be solved with a plunger—however, if you can’t get your toilet to flush after a quick plunge or peak under the tank lid, then it’s time to call the professionals. With over 60 years of experience, Hutchinson’s experts offer first-rate plumbing solutions to bring solace back to your home. Contact our team to discuss your options today.