Can’t Flush the Toilet? Take These 3 Steps

What’s the definition of bathroom plumbing panic? When your toilet is out of commission because you can’t flush it. You probably don’t even give your plumbing a second thought until it isn’t working and then it is a huge inconvenience.

Even if you are a DIY novice, there are a few common ways that you can try to get the toilet to flush. It is also helpful to know how to spot a bathroom plumbing problem that will require the professional help of a plumber.

We’ve put together a checklist of tricks to try if that toilet won’t flush for you.

1 – Get a Plumber to Help With Clogs

One of the biggest reasons that you may experience a toilet that won’t flush is if it is actually clogged. You may be able to take care of it with a plunger or a simple plumbing snake. The push and pull suction of a plunger can help to dislodge clogs; the sharp tip of a plumbing snake will break its way through debris that are causing clogs.

However, there are clogs that you can’t DIY. The more persistent ones require different tools and training to get rid of- like hydrojetting, which will break up the harder matter in your pipes. This is a good method of doing preventative maintenance on your bathroom plumbing too.

2 – Flush With a Bucket?

If that handle won’t make the toilet flush, not to worry. You can flush it the old-fashioned way, using a bucket of water. Fill the bucket and pour it into the toilet.

You will need quite a bit of water for this to work (about a gallon). The pressure from the water moving through the bowl will pull the waste down the drain.

This is also a good water-saving trick. Reserve water in a bucket while you are waiting for your shower to heat up. You can use it to flush the toilet, even if your bathroom plumbing is working.

3 – Flapper Troubles

One of the most common reasons that the toilet won’t flush is because the flapper is broken. The good news is that this is really easy to fix. The flapper opens to let the tank fill and then closes the water intake valve after you’ve flushed.

Flappers are made of rubber, so they crack or warp over time, and don’t close all the way, preventing the toilet from flushing properly. To fix this, simply lift the tank lid and drain the tank. Remove the flapper inside (it is at the bottom) and put in a brand new one. If you are having bathroom plumbing problems, don’t hesitate to call us in Calhoun, GA for help.