The Top 6 Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush Correctly
BY MET Plumbing LLC | February 12, 2018
When we flush the toilet, we expect everything to go down the drain and everything to work correctly. Yet, there are times when the toilet won’t flush correctly, or it requires multiple flushes to clear the bowl. Before you start troubleshooting why your toilet will not flush correctly, it is important to understand essential toilet plumbing parts and components that allow a toilet to work.
Toilet Tank
On the back of the toilet is a tank that holds water until you flush it. Inside the tank are several separate parts and components that work together when you pull the handle or push the button on the exterior of the tank.
Flushing Mechanism
The components inside a toilet tank differ depending on whether it has a water-saving flush or a conventional flush mechanism. If you have a water-saving flush mechanism, pulling the handle or pushing the button activates a cable that lifts the flapper. This allows water to flow into the toilet bowl.
This water flow creates pressure that forces the water and waste in the bowl down the drain, through the trap, and into the home’s main sewer line. Once the flush is complete, the flapper closes. Then, the tank refills with water until the float mechanism is raised, shutting off the water flow.
The mechanics of a conventional flush mechanism are similar. However, instead of a cable, there is a chain attached to the handle that lifts the flapper. Additionally, there is an overflow tube connected to the flapper to prevent the tank from overflowing. Once activated, the flapper lifts, allowing water to flow into the bowl and remove waste before closing to allow the tank to refill to the correct level.
Toilet Bowl
The toilet bowl holds water and waste until you flush it. The toilet bowl is secured to the floor or wall with bolts. At the end of the drain trap pipe that connects to the sewer line, there is a wax ring that prevents leaks at the base of the toilet.
When the toilet doesn’t flush correctly, it could be caused by one or more of the following reasons:
1. The cable or chain connecting the flapper is broken.
Since the flapper cannot be raised to allow water into the bowl, the toilet won’t flush.
2. There is no water in the tank.
If there is a leak around the flapper that allows water to constantly drain into the bowl, there will be insufficient water to create the necessary pressure to flush the toilet.
3. There is a clog in the drain trap or sewer line.
If you used too much toilet paper or tried to flush things you shouldn’t, like diapers, sanitary napkins, paper towels, etc., it could create a clog and prevent the toilet from flushing.
4. The overflow tube is broken or cracked.
If the overflow tube is damaged where water can drain down it, then there will not be enough water in the tank to flush the toilet.
5. The water to the toilet is turned off.
If the water got shut off, then the tank cannot refill after you flush the toilet. So, your toilet won’t flush correctly the next time. Check to see that the water is turned on at the shut-off valve under the toilet tank.
6. The wax ring needs replacing.
If you flush the toilet and the water flows from under the bowl and onto the floor, this is a good sign the wax ring needs to be replaced.
Toilet Won’t Flush? Call a Professional
Once you figure out why your toilet won’t flush, or if you need help, remember MET Plumbing is here to help. Call our expert bathroom plumbers for toilet repair services at 281-994-6698 today! We service the greater Houston, Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Spring, and The Woodlands areas.