How to Fix a Toilet Flush

Sat, Mar 16, 2024 15:00 CET

Are you struggling with a broken toilet flush? There are many potential reasons why a toilet flush may suddenly stop working. A toilet flush is something that you want to fix quickly. Otherwise, you'll struggle to get rid of the waste. It's particularly important to act quickly if you only have one toilet in the home, as many people do.

A person putting a tissue in a toilet

Description automatically generated

So, how do you go about fixing a toilet flush? Plumbing expert, David Cruz at MyJobQuote.co.uk has created this guide on how to identify and fix common toilet flush issues. So if you’re struggling with a toilet flush problem, look no further and have your toilet up and running again in no time.

Common Causes of a Broken Toilet Flush?

There are several things that may cause your toilet flush to stop working. Below is a list of the most common culprits:

A problem with the toilet handle
The tank’s water levels are too low
The toilet is clogged
There is a drain line problem

How Can You Tell If a Toilet Flush Is Broken?

There are several things that you may notice that can indicate you have a broken toilet flush. For example, you may notice that when you push down on the flush handle, nothing happens.

Alternatively, you may notice that a small amount of water enters the bowl when you flush it, but not enough water to complete the toilet flushing process.

In other cases, a clog may be the issue. If this is the case, you may notice that when you flush the toilet, the water rises and won’t continue down the drain.

How Do You Fix a Toilet Flush?

The method for fixing a toilet flush will depend on the reason why it is broken. Each problem requires a different fixing method. Below are a few of the most common causes of a broken toilet flush and how to fix them:

Toilet Handle Problem

If you push down your toilet handle, but nothing is happening, this is usually down to an issue with the handle, and this is often one of the easiest fixes. If you don't see any water movement at all when you push down the handle, this means that your toilet handle has disconnected and simply needs to be reattached.

On the inside of the toilet tank, the flushing handle is connected to a chain and a small arm that work together to lift the flapper when the handle is pressed. When you press on the toilet handle, the flapper raises, and water is dumped into the toilet bowl. Small issues, such as a broken link in the chain or a loose nut, can cause the handle to disconnect from the flapper. Fixing this problem is as simple as just reconnecting some basic parts depending on what has become disconnected.

Low Tank Water Levels

When there is not enough water in the toilet tank, the toilet won't be able to flush because not enough water can be dumped into the bowl. You can check if this is the problem by looking at the back of the toilet tank. The water levels should be up to around an inch below the top of the overflow tube.

To fix this issue, it's usually as simple as twisting the flush valve. If the toilet's water intake valve has been bumped, it may not be getting the water needed to flush properly. In other cases, the float ball may not have been adjusted appropriately, making it sink too low and signal that the tank is full before it actually is. In which case, the ball simply needs to be adjusted in height.

In rare cases, the problem may be down to problems with your water pressure, leaks in the pipes, or other problems that will require the assistance of a professional plumber.

Clogged Toilet

In a lot of cases, the problem isn't due to an issue with the toilet itself but an issue of a clog inside the toilet. Toilets are designed to handle a certain amount and type of waste. It can be quite easy for toilets to become blocked with things like wipes, sanitary products, or large quantities of toilet rolls.

If you have a clog in the toilet, it's usually quite obvious as the water won't go down when the toilet is flushed. Some clogs that are quite close to the surface can be dealt with yourself. You may be able to plunge the clog or poke it until it can move through the system. For more stubborn clogs, you will likely need to hire a professional plumber, as they will have the tools and skills necessary to remove the clog without damaging your system.

Drain Line Problem

It is possible that everything on your toilet is working correctly, but it still won't flush. This usually means that the issue is deeper within the plumbing. The drain lines move your waste to your sewer, and this can experience a range of issues. If your toilet isn't flushing due to a drain line problem, you may notice that all of the drains in your house aren't working. Your sinks, bathtub, and shower may get backed up, or they may drain very slowly.

The drain line may be clogged, and this requires the help of a professional plumber to come and unclog it. If your drain line is leaking or broken, this can also prevent your toilet from flushing. Things like trees and other roots in the garden may grow into the drain line and cause damage. You may need a CCTV drain survey to determine the drain line issue before hiring a plumber to fix the problem at hand.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are several reasons why a toilet flush may break. However, the majority of toilet flush problems can be fixed quite easily. Begin by identifying the problem with your toilet flush and then follow the steps in this guide to fix your toilet flush quickly and easily.

MyJobQuote is one of the UK's top trades matching sites that helps individuals find a reputable tradesperson in their local area.

MyJobQuote also has a wide range of experts with extensive knowledge in interior design, cleaning, gardening, property, construction and more. MyJobQuote's experts have been featured in over 700 publications, including Woman and Home, The Times, House Beautiful, BBC News and more.