Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing?

A toilet that won’t flush is inconvenient, but there’s good news: it’s probably a simple fix.

Our team has compiled a list of the most common reasons why a toilet won’t flush. Depending on the nature of the problem with your toilet, you may be able to resolve it without the need for a plumber.

THE LIFT CHAIN IS TOO SLACK.

If you push down on the handle and there is no resistance, the lift chain inside the tank, which connects to the flapper and releases water, has most likely shifted, leaving too much slack on the chain.

Solution: Remove the tank lid and shorten the lift chain until there is no more slack between the flapper and the lift chain.

THE TOILET IS OBSTRUCTED.

A clogged toilet is almost unavoidable if someone in your family used too much toilet paper, dropped an item like a toy into the bowl, or flushed a sanitary product.

Solution: You might be able to fish out items such as toys from the water’s surface. However, for absorbent materials such as sanitary products or diapers, try plunging out the clog or clearing it with a toilet brush.

THE LEVEL OF WATER IS LOW.

Your toilet will not flush if there is insufficient water in the bowl. Your tank’s float ball may have been misaligned, signaling to your toilet that there isn’t enough water to flush properly.

Solution: Remove the tank lid. The float ball should float 1 to 2 inches beneath the overflow tube and fill valve. There may also be a line etched into the porcelain indicating the level at which the float ball should remain. Maintain that level by adjusting the float ball.

THE FLAPPER HAS BEEN WARPED

If you notice your toilet running frequently, the flapper may be warped. When you press the toilet handle, the flapper is connected to the lift chain and opens. A rubber flapper can bend or warp over time, rendering it unable to seal the flush tube hole and release water to flush the toilet.

Solution: Go to a hardware or home improvement store and buy a new flapper. They are cheap and easy to find. Turn off the water supply, drain the toilet tank, and install the new flapper in place of the warped flapper. Reconnect your water supply and try flushing the toilet again.

A DRAIN LINE OR SEWER PROBLEM EXISTS.

If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and your toilet still won’t flush, it’s time to call a plumber to inspect your plumbing and sewer system for major backups. The most obvious sign that you have a drain line or sewer system problem is clogged drains throughout your home, not just in your toilet.

Solution: Contact a licensed plumber who has the tools and expertise to locate clogs without removing pipes. When there is a blocked drain bromley problem with a drain line or plumbing, a do-it-yourself solution is no longer an option. To make the necessary repairs, your plumbing professional will most likely use video pipe inspection as well as long-reaching augers.

IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION, CALL US FOR PLUMBING REPAIRS.

Contact our plumbers if you live in the Bromley area and would like a professional to inspect your toilet. Seven days a week, our expert, licensed plumbers have the experience and expertise to provide same-day service.

Call us today or contact us online, and we’ll send a certified plumber to your home as soon as possible to repair your toilet.