Got a toilet that simply won’t flush? It’s a common bathroom plumbing problem that’s actually pretty easy to fix. If you’re a homeowner, you should know how to take care of your toilet, especially if you live in a household with only one bathroom.
Most of the time you won’t even need the help of an Ocala, FL plumber. But if you’re clueless when it comes to your toilet, we’re here to help. Here’s how to repair a toilet when it doesn’t want to flush.
CALL A PROFESSIONAL IF YOU SUSPECT A CLOG
One case where you should call a bathroom plumbing professional is if you suspect a clog is causing the problem.
Some clogs can be dealt with using a plunger or snake, but if it’s located in the toilet flange or drain you will need a technician.
There’s no shame in asking for help from a bathroom plumbing company.
IF IT’S THE FLAPPER YOU CAN FIX IT YOURSELF
Most cases of a toilet that won’t flush are because of an issue with the flapper, which is a component located at the bottom of the tank.
The good news is you only need a basic understanding of how a toilet works to fix it. The flapper is held by a chain that’s attached to a rod connected with the handle. When you push down the handle, the rod goes up and lifts the chain along with the flapper.
This exposes an opening that lets water in the tank flow into the bowl. Once the water is gone the flapper closes the opening so the tank can fill back up. If the flapper isn’t set atop the opening properly, the tank can’t be filled, and you won’t be able to flush.
Oftentimes this is caused by a worn flapper, a loose chain or even a chain stuck between the flapper and opening. It’s possible for the components to fall into place if you jiggle the handle, but if that doesn’t work, you will need to open up the tank and fix the problem by hand.
Lift the tank’s lid and inspect the inside. Find out what’s wrong with the flapper and fix it accordingly, either by seating the flapper yourself, re-attaching the chain or pulling out the chain from beneath the flapper. If the tank was empty, it should begin to fill up again. As soon as it’s done, flush the toilet and make sure the flapper is properly placed on top of the opening. Voila! The toilet is fixed, and you can now put the lid back on the tank.
USE A BUCKET OF WATER TO FORCE A FLUSH
Another way to flush your toilet, which might fix the problem, is by forcing a flush. Fill a bucket with water and pour it into the bowl.
If done properly it will trigger the flushing process and dispose of any waste. Don’t pour the water too slowly or it will only raise the water level.
You need to pour enough water down quickly in order for this trick to succeed.