Easy things to Check if the Toilet Won't Flush
Your bathroom is likely one of the highest trafficked areas in your Sun Prairie, WI home; when the toilet won’t flush, it can be a bit of a disaster. There is no need to switch to panic gear though. This is one bathroom plumbing problem that is almost always easily and quickly solved.
You can even do some DIY diagnostics and apply some easy solutions to get your toilet working again. We’ve put together some tips to help you keep this bathroom plumbing fixture flushing for you.
Look for the Flapper
The flapper is a small but important piece of your toilet. It regulates the flow of water in and out of the toilet bowl when you flush and also helps to maintain the right level of water in the toilet bowl.
If the flapper is broken, it won’t close properly, and the water won’t go in and out as it should- hence the no flushing. To replace a broken flapper, pop off the toilet tank lid. Drain the tank. Replace the broken flapper with a brand new one, and your toilet should flush again.
Use a Bowl Instead
Did you know that you can flush a toilet without technically even touching it? You simply fill a large bowl or bucket (you will need about a gallon of water for this to work) and pour it into the toilet bowl.
The combination of the force of the water and the circular shape of the toilet bowl, the contents will automatically flush themselves away.
This is a great low-tech bathroom plumbing tip that lets you help the environment and cut down on your water bills because you can reuse water for this from other sources in your home (i.e., reserve your cooking liquid).
When Should I Call a Plumber?
It’s a good idea to call your plumber for help at any time that you are unsure about something or don’t have time to tend to the task at hand.
If the problem that is causing your toilet not to flush is that it is clogged, you should call for help. This is because plumbers have more tools at their disposal to get the clog removed once and for all.
You can reduce the possibility of clogs by keeping things out of the toilet that don’t belong there (i.e., food scraps, sanitary napkins, paper towels, wipes, etc.).
Here is another DIY bathroom plumbing tip for you. If you think you have a toilet leak, here is how you check. Put food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak. Call us for more tips.
