Why Won't My Toilet Flush? Get Your Bathroom Ready for Thanksgiving Guests - Al Bourgeois Plumbing & Heating

There is nothing worse than the gnawing dismay you feel following a weak flush. The slow burn of dread. Will the toilet flush all the way? Will I have to flush a second time? It feels like a small inconvenience, but if it happens over and over again, there may be an issue with your plumbing.

The solutions for your porcelain throne may range from an easy fix to a more comprehensive solution involving a plumber. Hopefully, by the end of this blog, you will be able to identify your issue and proceed with the best game plan for all of your flushing needs.

What Kind of Toilet Flush are We Talking About?

Before you can identify the cause of your “weak flush,” you need to run a few experiments to determine what kind of flush you’re dealing with.

1. No Flush: Your toilet won’t flush, even a little bit. (See: “Defective Chain” or “Broken or Cracked Overflow Tube”)
2. Pseudo-Flush: Your toilet is only “half” flushing. (See: “Low Water Level”)
3. Delayed Flush: You have to hold the handle down an indeterminate amount of time to get that whole flush. (See: “Defective Chain”)
4. Overflowing Flush: Buddy, your toilet’s clogged. Grab that plunger and get to work! (See: “Clogs”)

Four Reasons Your Toilet Won’t Flush All the Way

You’ve figured out your flush! Now it’s time to learn a little bit more about why your toilet is acting up. If you cannot find your solution in the following list, it may be time to consult your trusted plumbing technician.

Clogs: There are a couple types of clogs to look out for, when it comes to your toilet.

• Simple Clog: Your toilet is blocked up and your solution may simply be a plunger and a little elbow grease. Although, a simple clog may be an indication of a larger problem. Simple clogs occur when there is a blockage of waste in your pipes. This may occur more frequently if there’s a flaw in your drainpipe design. Or, if you have a clog in your drain, which is more difficult to plunge.
• Bowl Clog: When people think “toilet clog,” their minds often jump straight to the plunger. But there’s another, more insidious clog: The Water Inlet Holes. These are the holes at the rim of your toilet bowl. If they are clogged, the water (that gives your toilet good flushing power) will not flow back into the bowl. If you notice these holes are plugged, you might just need to give your rim a good scrubbing.

Low Water Level: A “Successful Flush” is measured by the amount of water that is delivered quickly to your bowl. A simple reason that your toilet won’t flush, or won’t flush all the way, could have something to do with the speed at which your toilet refills.

• Check your valve! If you believe that low water pressure is the issue, check your valve! If, after turning it up all the way, there still isn’t enough pressure coming into your toilet tank, it may be time to contact a technician.

Defective Chain: We hope your toilet problem is just a matter of replacing your chain, because it’s an easy, inexpensive fix. Your chain attaches your “float” to your “flapper” and is responsible for lifting the flapper and draining your tank. If it’s too long, or it has been detached, your toilet will not flush.

Broken or Cracked Overflow Tube: The overflow tube prevents excess water from overflowing into your toilet tank. As a result, the water stays safely inside the bowl, and not on your bathroom floor. If it’s broken, or cracked, your toilet will not properly connect to the water supply.

What to do When There’s No Easy Fix for Your Plumbing

If you are having difficulty determining the source of the flushing complication, don’t start fiddling with random knobs and hardware. Let a professional diagnose your issue, so they can offer you the fastest, easiest solution for your toilet. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, especially when it comes to the most important seat in the house.

Call Al Bourgeois Plumbing Today!

Whatever your clog, leak or plumbing problem, Al Bourgeois Plumbing is here to help! Our expert technicians will swiftly identify the issue and get your plumbing back in tip-top condition. Requesting a service is easy! If submitted after normal business hours, we’ll get back to you by the next business day.