[AD]What to Do When Your Toilet Doesn’t Flush Properly

Having a flaky toilet that doesn’t always flush properly can be annoying and even embarrassing. A toilet that doesn’t get rid of waster properly may end up causing additional plumbing problems as well. If your toilet has a difficult time getting rid of waste, you may be cleaning up an overflow, which no one likes to do. 

Your toilet may not be getting flushing all the waste in it because of a few different reasons. It could be a mechanical issue with your toilet, or there may be something wrong with your plumbing. Below are some reasons you may be having a problem with your toilet getting rid of waste properly. 

Mechanical Reasons Your Toilet Doesn’t Flush Properly

Believe it or not, toilets are pretty complicated. The tank above your toilet doesn’t just hold water for your next flush. It also houses some essential mechanical parts that keep your toilet operating properly. These parts can be a little finicky sometimes. If they don’t work properly, you may have a problem with your toilet not flushing the right way.

One common issue people have with their toilet is that is doesn’t hold enough water in the bowl to flush. Apart in the upper tank known as the fill tube causes this problem. You can spot the fill tube by opening up the upper tank and looking for a plastic hose. This device helps regulate the amount of water in your bowl. Over time, it can see a lot of wear and stop working.

Another mechanical issue is a damaged fill valve. The fill valve in your toilet tells your toilet when to stop filling the upper tank. A damaged fill valve may cause your toilet to underfill or not stop filling up. If your toilet’s upper tank doesn’t fill up all the way, you get weak flushes that don’t get rid of waste. If your toilet doesn’t stop filling the upper tank, your toilet will flush properly, but you may be looking at a big water bill at the end of the month. 

Reasons Your Toilet Doesn’t Flush Properly

Compared to mechanical malfunctions, plumbing issues are more challenging to fix and diagnose. Because your toilet’s plumbing is hidden beneath your floors, it can be hard to figure out what’s causing the issue. 

A plumbing issue you may have experienced is a clogged drain. A host of different things can cause your toilet to clog. The most common reason toilets clog is because of too much toilet paper. However, it’s possible your little one tried to flush a toy down the drain as well. If your toilet is clogged, avoid flushing it over and over. This will cause it to overflow. Depending on the severity of the clog, you may be able to remove it with a household plunger or you may have to call a plumber. All professional plumbers offer a drain cleaning service where they snake your drain lines.

Another plumbing issue for a weak flush is an issue with your toilet’s water valve. If you’re getting weak flushes, check the upper tank to see if it’s filling correctly. It could be under filling because of a mechanical issue. However, it could also be because your toilet’s water valve has a problem. Look at your toilet’s water valve and see if it’s open all the way. If your toilet’s upper tank fills up all the way but takes a long time to do so, it may be a problem with the water valve or the plumbing that fills up the upper tank. 

The Best Way to Fix a Broken Toilet

The easiest way to clear up mechanical and plumbing issues with your toilet is to get in contact with a professional. Besides being messy, fixing a toilet that won’t flush improperly could cause a plumbing disaster. A professional plumber can diagnose the exact reason your toilet isn’t flushing correctly and get it back to normal quickly. 

This is a collaborative post.