Your Toilet Won't Flush ? Here are 4 Ways to Fix It!
A toilet not flushing when you’re at home is annoying.
A toilet not flushing when you’re a guest in someone else’s home is a nightmare!
Read on to learn common reasons why toilets don’t flush and how to fix them.
1. Blockages
There’s a plumbers’ saying: Only three Ps should go down the toilet and one of them is paper.
However, in toilets - as in life - things don’t always go according to plan. (Perhaps another plumbers’ saying?)
Toilet blockages might be caused by:
- Objects being dropped in toilet bowls
- Heavy toilet paper usage
- Use of materials in place of toilet paper (paper towels, toilet wipes, newspapers, etc.)
There are other potential causes, too. But let’s move onto the solutions.
Fixing blockages
A toilet blockage is usually best dealt with using a plunger.
It can be unpleasant, but it can also be a quick and simple way to avoid calling a plumber. If your first attempt doesn’t work, try inserting a wire hanger down into the toilet. This could break up the obstruction enough for a second (or third) plunger attempt to work. [h4] Doing it without a plunger
If a plunger won’t shift the blockage, or you can try unblocking your toilet without a plunger or simply calling a plumber.
2. Lack of water in the tank
If there isn’t enough water in the toilet’s tank, you won’t be able to flush it.
After all, the tank relies on water to work.
Check by opening the top of your cistern. This might be located behind a wall panel but there should be an access panel available.
If there isn’t enough water in the tank, check (in order) that:
- Your water supply is still running by turning on a tap
- You haven’t isolated the water supply to the bathroom by mistake (i.e., by turning off a stopcock)
- Your water inlet tap is working. Push the float arm downward to simulate an empty cistern. If water doesn't flow in, or only flows weakly, your inlet valve may need cleaning or replacing (this is a job for a plumber).
If it turns out that none of these are the issue, move onto the temporary fix…
(Temporarily) fixing a lack of water in the tank
You can flush the toilet in the meantime by pouring a bucket of water into the bowl.
Afterwards, you need to call in a plumber to check that your toilet plumbing is working correctly.
3. Broken lever handles
Lever toilet handles sometimes get disconnected from flushing mechanisms.
Remove the top of your toilet and check that the handle is still connected.
Fixing a broken handle
Lever handles will often be attached to a chain which lifts the flush valve.
(Modern toilets with a push button or dual flush toilets may look a little different.)
If you cannot quickly see how the handle connects to the flush valve, you will need to call in professional help.
4. Broken or warped flapper
A flapper is the valve which sits at the bottom of the cistern and allows the water to flow out. Issues with them are common in both older and modern toilets.
If the water from the toilet is continually flowing and it is never able to fill up, then you won’t be able to get a full flush. If this happens, you will need to replace the flapper inside your cistern.
How home cover can help
Our home cover gives you access to a team of expert plumbers.
They will be on hand to help with everything from leaky pipes to a toilet that won’t flush (as long as it’s in your own home!).
And with our home care plans, you’ll never have to worry about the cost of the callout.