Here are some common reasons: You have a poor quality, low-flush toilet. Some low-flush toilets just don’t create enough suction to properly do what they should. In these cases, you may have to flush twice or hold down the handle to get the proper suction you need.
Why does my toilet take so long to flush?
A worn flapper can allow water to slowly leak into your bowl, decreasing the amount of water in your tank. If you have poor water pressure, it may take time for the tank to refill. If there isn’t enough water in the tank a poor flush will result. This is likely the culprit if your toilet flushes fine sometimes but requires two flushes other times.
Is there a way to fix a toilet that won't flush?
If yes, I may have a simple solution for you. When you press down on the toilet handle, chain that is attached to it pulls up a toilet flapper (a.k.a. tank ball). Toilet flapper’s job is to open (to allow water into the bowl via flush valve inlet), and remain floating until the water level is lowered.
Do you need to hold down the toilet lever to flush?
Do you find yourself needing to hold down the toilet lever in order to completely flush your toilet? Not only is it a nuisance to deal with, but it can waste A LOT of water, which can add up over time. Luckily, this is a common plumbing issue that has a fairly easy fix!
What causes a toilet flapper to stop working?
This problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper. If the chain cannot lift the flapper high enough to allow the full amount of water to flow through the flush valve, then the flapper closes prematurely, thereby stopping the flush.
Why won't my toilet flush when I push the handle?
If you push the flush handle and nothing happens, you may have a broken chain on your hands. For example, inside your toilet tank are a flapper and a chain. When you flush, the movement of the handle pulls the chain, which in turn lifts the flapper. As the flapper moves up, it signals the toilet to drain.
How do you increase toilet flush pressure?
0:562:21Increase Toilet Flush Power - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe one thing you can do is just hold the lever down longer and a lot more water will flow from theMoreThe one thing you can do is just hold the lever down longer and a lot more water will flow from the tank to the bowl to get a better flush.
How do you fix a weak flushing toilet?
5 Ways to Fix a Weak Toilet FlushClear clog in the trap. As with most toilet issues, the most logical place to start is by checking to make sure there isn't a blockage or clog. ... Open the water valve. ... Adjust the float. ... Fix or replace the flapper. ... Unclog the rim. ... Plumber for weak toilet flush.
How do I get more water flow into my toilet?
There should be a water valve located along the pipe which is most likely placed near the floor or the wall. Make sure that the water valve is turned on. You can adjust the valve to your desired amount of pressure on water flow to the tank. Turn the valve on to its full extent for faster flushing.
Why does my toilet not flush?
If the toilet doesn’t flush completely unless you hold the handle down for the entire flush cycle, it’s usually because the flapper is not fully lifting away from the flush valve. This problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper.
Where is the flush valve on a toilet?
In your toilet tank, there is the flush valve – the large opening at the bottom of the tank – and a rubber or vinyl flapper.
What is a flapper in a toilet?
The flapper is designed to lift up from the flush valve when the toilet handle is pressed down in order to start the flush cycle. At the end of the cycle, the flapper should settle back down into the flush valve, sealing it tightly until the next flush cycle is initiated.
Step 1
Turn off the water supply to the toilet. This is important since you will need to adjust the flapper in the toilet tank to fix the chain. This can be a pain if the tank is filled with water, so it will prove prudent to drain the tank.
Step 2
The next step will be to measure the length of the chain. You will see the chain connected to the flush arm/lever with a hook or a clip. You would then unhook or unclip the chain from the lever and place it down.
Step 3
Now you should check the slack on your flapper chain. The hook or clip should ideally have just the right amount of slack so that the flapper rests steadily on the flush valve. That being said, it should be a little tight so that when you press down on your toilet handle, you do not need to keep holding the handle to flush thoroughly.
Step 4
Once all of this is done, test your flush handle to see if it is working properly. Next, turn the water supply valve back on, fill the toilet tank, and then flush the toilet. If you still need to hold it down, then you should probably hook down one link in the chain and go through these steps again. If problems persist, call a professional plumber.
Why do you have to hold the flapper open?
You have to manually hold the flapper open by holding down the toilet lever because the flapper is unable to stay afloat by itself.
How to replace a flapper ball?
Before replacing the flapper ball, gently scour the seat or rim, of the outlet valve with paper towel. If there are any remaining deposits, soak a sponge in a 50/50 mix solution of hot water and vinegar and to gently scour the rim again; Do not use a steel wool or scouring pads as they may score the rim, resulting a leak;
How does a flapper work?
Newer flappers have an adjustment where you can turn them to flush faster or slower. This aligns an air hole between straight up (faster flush) to the side (slower flush). Air bubbles out of the hole and water gets sucked in the bottom until it's heavy enough to fall closed.
Can you replace a flapper?
If that doesn't work , you can try replacing the flapper. Tester's answer is the more likely, but here's something else to keep in mind. Newer flappers have an adjustment where you can turn them to flush faster or slower. This aligns an air hole between straight up (faster flush) to the side (slower flush).
What happens if the chain is stuck in the toilet handle?
If the chain is stuck, your toilet handle will feel more difficult to push. Make Sure the Chain is the Right Length. When you flush your toilet, the flapper or seal should rise (about 90 degrees). If the chain is too long, the flapper will only lift a tiny bit or not at all. Check the Flapper.
How to fix a toilet flapper that is stuck?
Make sure that the flapper inside of your tank isn’t worn out. When flappers are old, they can get stuck. Check to see if it’s hard to pull. If so, just replace your toilet flapper. Look at the Handle Itself. If everything in the tank seems to be working properly, check the handle itself.
Why does my toilet flapper curl?
Over time, the flapper in your toilet tank (the piece that keeps water in your tank) can curl, or lose its sealing capacity as it loses integrity due to constant submersion in water. The flapper is your toilet’s weak link. A worn flapper can allow water to slowly leak into your bowl, decreasing the amount of water in your tank. If you have poor water pressure, it may take time for the tank to refill. If there isn’t enough water in the tank a poor flush will result. This is likely the culprit if your toilet flushes fine sometimes but requires two flushes other times.
Do low flush toilets have suction?
Some low-flush toilets just don’t create enough suction to properly do what they should. In these cases, you may have to flush twice or hold down the handle to get the proper suction you need. Consider replacing your toilet if this is the problem.
schmooser Member
Guys - before I do my normal "just take it apart and try and figure it out" thing, thought I may ask for a few suggestions.
britishblue New Member
If the toilet was flushing well before, and has developed this problem over a period of time, it is probably a torn syphon membrane. It's a very cheap item to replace (basicaly at's a thin sheet of polythene, value about 0.1p but cost approx 50p), but you will have to remove the syphon, which can be a bit of a pain.
schmooser Member
By the way, dumb question I know, but I'm assuming that will be somewhere within the big plastic hollow unit that sticks up over the outlet hole to the toilet bowl/pan?
plummit New Member
Have a look at the cyphon, and see if it is one where you can "take apart" the syphon, and remove the diapragm housing, without disconnecting the bit which is connected to the cistern.
barnet bill New Member
I would just renew it with a Turbo Flush syphon then if it ever happens again you wont have to totaly drain the cistern but just twist off the flusher.
Mr. Handyandy Screwfix Select
Of course, it could just be that the handle and mechanisn have gotten some slack, and is not shifting the pump as far as it should. Does it feel as if it's activating as soon as you start to press the handle ?
bathstyle Active Member
You could always do away with the syphon altogether and fit a flush valve with a push button. They can now be fitted to standard W.C's as a direct replacement for a syphon. IMHO a better flush is acheived with the flush valve.
Problem
Solution
- Flappers are made from rubber and it degrades over time, especially in a mineral rich, wet-environment. The degradation allows rubber to lose its floating capability so to solve this problem, we need to replace it (during the removal process, the old flapper literally disintegrated in my hand – see fig. 1.1).
Required Tools and Materials
- Pair of latex or Nitrile gloves;
- Sponge;
- Vinegar;
- Korky Universal Flapper Repair Kit– Fig. 1.2
All-Thumbs-Diy-Steps
- Shutoff the toilet water supply;
- Flush the toilet to drain the water in the tank;
- Disconnect the trip lever chain from the flapper;
- Slip off the flapper’s collar from the overflow pipe;
Wrap Up
- Korky flapper repair kit comes with a tube of silicone and a new seat. If your seat is nicked or otherwise damaged, you may want to use these parts to ensure that your new flapper does not leak. If you found this article to be useful, can you do me a favor and sign up for my newsletter? The signup form is found at the top of the screen on the right side. Good luck with your repair an…