Common Causes of a Toilet Not Flushing Properly

Toilets are vital facilities and their smooth operation is needed to avoid inconveniencing users. One of the most common problems with toilets is improper flushing.

Toilet flushing problems are usually manifested as slow drain, bowl not emptying, continuous flush, or the toilet not flushing at all. Below are some of the common causes of a toilet not flushing properly.

1) Toilet Not Flushing At All

When a toilet fails to flush, it is usually due to absence of water in the tank. Toilets are designed to only flush when there is a certain amount of water in the toilet tank.

The absence of water in the tank can be caused by interrupted water supply or blockage of supply pipe. A toilet will also fail to flush if the flush lever is either too loose or it is broken.

2) Bowl Not Emptying

A bowl failing to empty is another common flushing problem. A toilet’s drain must be blockage free for the bowl to empty. If there is a blockage, flush water will stay in the bowl.

Blockage of the drain is usually as a result of solid things such as wrappers and hair being dumped in the toilet. Low water pressure and very long chain will also lead to the failure of the bowl to empty.

3) Slow or Weak Flush

Slow or weak flush is normally manifested as water failing to drain everything from the toilet bowl. The main cause of weak flush is presence of mineral deposits or dirt under the bowl’s rim.

Slow or weak flush can also be caused by partial blockage of the drain. This causes the flush water to drain slowly. At times, a toilet may also flush continuously.

This problem is caused by leakage of water from the tank through the flapper into the toilet. The leakage results from improper positioning of the flapper.

In order to avoid the inconveniences caused by a toilet not flushing properly, a Colonial Heights homeowner should call a plumber as soon as he notices a flushing problem.

The easiest way to get a plumber is by searching through a phone directory or doing an online search. Colonial Heights homeowners should make sure they only work with experienced plumbers.

Your Colonial Heights, VA home toilet issues can be a nuisance to the whole family. Call Colonial Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. at (804) 526-8415 today, and let's get your toilet back to its flushing state!