Why Won't My Toilet Flush?

When nature calls, the last thing you want to deal with is a toilet that won't flush. Unfortunately, it can happen from time to time. Some of the most common reasons a toilet won't flush include:

• Low water level in the tank
• Faulty lift chain
• Flapper isn't sealing
• Clogged toilet
• Blocked inlet holes

Some toilet repairs are easy enough to complete on your own. However, in other cases, the problem requires a more technical fix. If you're unsure how to fix a toilet that won't flush or feel it's outside your skill level or comfort zone, it may be time to contact the pros.

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Your toilet's tank (sometimes called a cistern) usually holds enough water to allow the toilet to flush fully. When the tank doesn't fill up with water, it can cause issues when you try to flush the toilet.

To check the water level, simply lift off the top of the tank. Typically, there's a mark inside the tank to indicate how high the water should be. Flush the toilet and see if the water rises back up to the mark. If it doesn't, this could be the cause of your incomplete flushes.

The simplest solution is to allow more water into the tank. The tank typically fills until the float within it reaches a set height, at which point, the fill valve stops allowing water in. Try gently bending the arm on the float to allow it to reach the right level.

If that doesn't work, you may have an issue with the tank's water supply, and it may be time to contact a plumber to identify it.

When you flush your toilet, does the lever feel light? There's a chain or rod that connects the flush lever to the flapper on the bottom of the tank. When you push the lever, the flapper opens and allows the water to flow to flush the toilet. However, that chain or rod can break or lose its connection.

To check, remove the lid off your tank and make sure there's a connection between the chain or rod and the flapper. You may need to adjust the fit of the chain or replace the broken part.

The flapper at the bottom of your toilet tank controls whether your toilet flushes or not. When you flush, the flapper opens, letting the water flow into the bowl and pushing waste through the pipes. After the flush is complete, the flapper seals and lets the tank fill up with water again.

Flappers wear out from time to time or can become positioned incorrectly if disturbed. Without a proper seal, the tank won't fill with water, and you won't be able to flush.

You can replace this part relatively easily based on the model of your toilet, or you can contact the pros to do it for you.

Toilets can become clogged for all sorts of reasons beyond using too much toilet paper. Sometimes, other items can find their way into toilets, such as baby wipes or feminine hygiene products.

If your toilet doesn't flush correctly, it could be clogged, either partially or completely. You can try your hand at plunging it, but in some cases, this may not be enough. For more severe clogs, it's often easier to contact a plumber who has more equipment for cleaning out clogs, especially if they're further down your pipes.

Water from your toilet's tank enters the bowl from its inlet holes, which sit around the lip of the bowl. The easiest way to tell if they're blocked is to check if water streams from the sides of the bowl when you flush it. If they're blocked, the water will stream straight down instead of diagonally, or it won't flow at all.

You can try cleaning them by pouring hot vinegar into your overflow tube and letting it sit overnight without flushing. If debris is blocking the holes, you may also need to use a piece of wire to manually clean them.

When your toilet stops flushing and your DIY repairs aren't working, call Jon Wayne for trusted plumbing services. With 200 trucks on the road, rest assured we arrive quickly and will get your toilet flushing smoothly in no time! Every job comes backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.