When a toilet does not flush completely, most people find it gross. Not to mention, it is irritating and when you flush multiple times it is a wastage of water as well. There could be several reasons behind it, but the followings are the most common reason:
- The Toilet Is Clogged.
- Low water level in the toilet tank.
- Problematic flapper of the toilet.
- Clogged Rim Holes.
- Problematic Lift Chain.
Don’t blame your toilet, it could happen to any brand like American Standard, TOTO etc. You can find all the information of any major brand toilet here. By the time you are done reading the article, you will learn all the major reasons and how to solve this problem. Stay with me!
Clogged Toilet
This is the most common reason why your toilet is not flushing completely. So, whenever your toilet is not flushing well, you should assume it is clogged.
So why a toilet gets clogged?
If you flush anything down the toilet other than toilet paper, it will get clogged. So don’t try to flush anything like sanitary napkin, hair, etc. down the toilet other than your number 1, 2, and the toilet paper.
It may sound crazy, but excessive use of toilet paper may also be the reason.
So, what’s the solution to solve this problem?
Well, it’s time to use your toilet plunger. Using the plunger, you can push through the blocked wastage or create the suction so that the wastage gets loose. Most of the time, using the plunger should do the trick.
If the plunger fails to unclog your toilet, its time use the toilet snake to unblock the drain. Also, consider using thin toilet paper and make sure nobody throws sanitary napkin as well.
Now, let’s check other reasons.
Low Water Level In The Toilet Tank
There is an overflow tube in the toilet tank. The water level should be at least 1 inch above that overflow tube. Someone may accidentally turn off the water valve, and if that happens, water level in the tank will be significantly low.
Usually, popular toilet brands leave a mark in the toilet tank to give you a hint about the level of water to be in the tank. Some people prefer to lower the mark further down to save water. There could be some other reasons why there is low water level in the tank.
Since there is low water level in the tank, your toilet won’t flush completely.It takes a lot of water released quickly to have a complete flush.
Turn on the water valve and check whether the water level rises up to the correct level and flush. If it flushes correctly, there is no more problem.
Problematic Flapper
When the flapper is warped or bent, your toilet can’t flush completely. The flapper is normally made of rubber and responsible to release water when you flush the toilet and reserve water in the tank when not in use. It covers the hole of the toilet tank.
But it can’t perform its duty if it is misshaped over the period of time. Luckily they are very cheap and widely available in local stores, so if you notice the flapper is not in good shape, just replace it.
You have to empty the tank first to replace the flapper. When the replacement is done flush again to check whether the problem is fixed or not.
Clogged Rim Holes
Mineral limes are responsible for the clogged rim holes. It may happen after several years of usage. Clogged rim holes will result in decrease water pressure and low water volume into the toilet bowl when you flush the toilet.
All you have to do is to buy a good toilet bowl cleaner and clean you’re the toilet bowl. Use a stiff wire brush to brush the bowl as well. But if the holes are severely clogged, using the bowl cleaner may not work.
Use a wire to push it in and out the holes to manually unclog all the holes. There should not be any clogged rim holes after that and you should have complete flush after that.
Problematic Lift Chain
The lift chain connects the flapper with the flushing handle. So, when you flush down the handle, the chain liftsup the flapper uncovering the hole to release the water quickly and vice versa.
Over the time, the lift chain can have slack or it may become too loose, and if this is the case, it can’t raise the flapper to release the water. That happens rarely, but it does.
The solution to this problem is simple. All you have to do is shorten the chain by removing one or two rings of the chain and reattach it to the flapper and the flushing handle.
But if the chain is too tight, you there is no way making it any larger. So, you should buy a new lift chain and replace the old one. Now flush again to check whether the problem is fixed or not.
Summing Up
As I have said above, there could be several reasons behind why your toilet is not flushing completely. I have discussed the major causes and tried to give you solution as well. However, if none of the above solution works for you its time hire a pro.
Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and families, they may need this badly!
