Easy Ways to Fix a Toilet that Won’t Flush

Bathroom plumbing problems are often a nuisance to homeowners, but it’s important to learn how to deal with them if you want things to be taken care of swiftly. An issue many of us deal with is a toilet that simply refuses to flush.

The good news is this is an easy thing to fix, and most of the time you won’t need to call for Allentown, PA bathroom plumbing services to help. If you don’t know how to handle this problem, you should keep reading. Here are several easy ways to fix a toilet that won’t flush.

Call a Plumber if You Think It’s a Clog

Clogs can be a big bathroom plumbing problem and in some cases must be dealt with by a professional.

If you suspect a clog in your toilet, don’t hesitate to contact a technician to conduct an inspection.

Certain clogs can be dislodged with a plunger or snake, but if it’s located in the toilet flange or drain you will need an expert to help.

DIY a Solution if it’s the Flapper

Most cases of a toilet being unable to flush, however, are caused by a problem with the flapper, a component located at the bottom of the tank.

This device is designed to lift up during a flush and expose an opening for water to flow through into the bowl. Once the water in the tank is gone, it covers the opening so the tank can be filled back up. The flapper is held by a chain that’s attached to a rod connected with the handle.

Pushing down the handle raises the rod, which lifts the chain along with the flapper. If the flapper doesn’t close the opening properly, the tank can’t be filled with water, and you won’t be able to flush.

This is often caused by a worn flapper, a loose chain or even a chain stuck between the flapper and opening. If you jiggle the handle, all the components might fall into place. But if that doesn’t work, you will need to open up the tank to fix the problem.

Lift the tank’s lid and visually inspect the flapper. Identify the problem and do what needs to be done to fix the problem, such as seating the flapper by hand, re-attaching the chain or pulling out the chain from beneath the flapper.

If the tank was empty, it should begin to fill up with water. Once that’s done, flush the toilet and make sure the flapper is properly seated atop the opening. Finally, put the lid back on the tank and enjoy full use of your toilet once again.

Force a Flush With a Bunch of Water

Another method that might fix the problem is forcing the toilet to flush by pouring a bucket of water into the bowl.

This will trigger the flushing process, which will dispose of any waste and possibly solve the issue. Remember not to pour the water too slowly, or it might simply raise the water level in the bowl.

There needs to be enough water poured in a short amount of time for this technique to work.