Is your toilet not flushing well? Maybe it’s too quick, or you have to flush it several times to get the job done?
Trying to find out what’s preventing your toilet from flushing efficiently is frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Professional plumbers at MT Drains and Plumbing can help you find the problem and fix it for good.
Let’s explore some of the common reasons why your toilet may not be flushing correctly and how to fix them.
Four Reasons Your Toilet Is Not Flushing Well
Inadequate Water in the Toilet Tanks
Successful flushing requires plenty of water. Having insufficient water in the toilet tank can lead to a weak flush, resulting in the toilet bowl not getting enough water to get the job done.
How to fix it:
Most toilet tanks come with a mark indicating how much water it can hold, usually about an inch below the overflow outlet. Find the mark and ensure the water level rises to it after every flush.
If the water doesn’t reach the mark, you’ll need to adjust it. Different toilets have different mechanisms to set the water level in the tank. The most common mechanisms are a floating device or a water intake assembly.
Floating devices are usually small, round balls attached to the fill valve. The fill valve stops pouring water into the toilet tank once the float gets into contact with water. You can raise the tank’s water level by manually bending the float arm up.
If your toilet uses an intake assembly, find the metal clip on the assembly and move it up to adjust the water level.
If everything seems to be okay, the problem could be with the overflow tube. The water could be flowing into a cracked overflow tube instead of filling your toilet tank. The best way to fix this problem is to buy a new overflow tube. After replacing the pipe, your toilet should flush well, without any issues.
Faulty Flapper
The flapper is the component inside the toilet tank that allows the water in the tank to flow into the bowl. Every time you flush the toilet, the handle lifts a chain connected to the flapper on the inside of the tank. The chain then lifts the flapper, allowing all the water in the tank to drain into the toilet bowl.
This small rubber seal is not damage-resistant and can become damaged or warped over time, meaning it won’t cover the hole in your toilet tank adequately.
Water will gradually leak out of the tank, and the tank will be unable to refill, leading to an insufficient amount of water in the tank when you need to flush.
How to fix it:
Start by checking the length of the flapper chain. The chain shouldn’t be too taut or too loose. Adjust it by removing it and re-attaching it to a hole that’s closer or further away from the flush lever, depending on your specific problem.
A good chain should have about ½-inch slack. If the length of the chain seems okay, then your flapper could be the problem. It might be old, damaged, or warped and may require replacement. It’s crucial to hire a professional to replace the flapper for you.
Clogged Toilet
A clog is arguably the most common cause of a toilet not flushing well, and it’s often a result of throwing unsuitable materials into the toilet.
How to fix it:
You can try to unclog your toilet using a plunger or a toilet auger.
If you choose a plunger, you’ll use it to create a suction around the toilet’s drainage hole. Generate a force by pumping the plunger up and down, creating a powerful suction to dislodge the material causing the clog. If the unclogging is successful, water will flow freely again.
A toilet auger is a tool specially designed for unclogging drains, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your toilet. You can unclog your toilet by twisting the device into the toilet’s drain, removing or breaking down the obstruction into flushable, smaller pieces.
If a plunger or a toilet auger doesn’t solve the clogging problem, consider calling a plumber from MT Drains and Plumbing. If you experience frequent clogs, you might want to change the toilet paper brand to a softer product. A professional plumber can advise you on a type of toilet paper that is easier to flush and less likely to clog your toilet.
Poor Drainpipe Design
If your toilet is flushing slowly, the chances are that the drainage pipes were designed or installed incorrectly. Toilet drains should have a downward slope that allows for the efficient flow of wastewater down the toilet bowl, through the drainage pipes, to the main sewer line.
For toilet drains that lack the downward slope, a water pool often gets stuck in the pipes, meaning when you flush your toilet, the flushed water stalls after hitting the stagnant water.
How to fix it:
A DIY approach may not help in fixing poor drain design or installation. In this case, it’s best to call an experienced plumber from MT Drains and Plumbing to assess your drainage pipe system and redesign or reinstall it if necessary.
If none of these tips and tricks solves the problem of your toilet not flushing well, it’s time to call a professional plumber. Professionals have the expertise and the right equipment to diagnose the problem and provide the most effective solution.
At MT Drains and Plumbing, our skilled technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to provide a long-lasting solution to your faulty flushing system. Our plumbers will save you time and money, preventing you from buying unnecessary equipment and products. We can help make your toilet more efficient and flush waste properly.
If you live in Vaughan, Toronto, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, or other surrounding areas, get in touch with our team by calling (905) 761-5551 or filling the Quote Request Form on our website.
