Top Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush Properly

Is a non-flushing toilet draining your patience? We get it. The good news is this bathroom conundrum is typically caused by a shortlist of culprits—things that many DIY- enthusiasts can fix with a little bit of patience and elbow grease. Here, we’ll dive into these common issues and provide simple solutions to get you back in working order.

Faulty Flapper

Flappers are those rubber seals at the bottom of the toilet tank. When you press down the handle, the chain lifts the flapper and releases water into the bowl. When this rubber part wears out or doesn’t fit properly, water leaks into the bowl, leaving too little water in the tank to create a strong flush.

To determine if this is why your toilet isn’t flushing, lift the cover off the tank to see if the flapper is worn or needs cleaning or replacing.

Broken Toilet Flush Valve

Still having trouble flushing? Check the toilet flush valve—that large opening at the bottom of your toilet tank. The flapper usually covers this area; however, water will continuously leak into the bowl if the flush valve is cracked or cannot create a tight seal.

To diagnose, remove the tank lid and flush while watching the drain. If water leaks around the flush valve (not just through the center where it's supposed to go!), you may have a broken flush valve.

Misaligned Float

Toilet floats are those ball-like devices that ride on top of the water in the tank. As the tank fills with water after flushing, the float rises. When that float reaches a certain height, it cuts off water flow to the tank.

If your toilet is not flushing well, your float may be set too low. To fix this, simply adjust the float so the water level reaches about an inch below the top of the overflow tube (the vertical pipe in the middle of the tank).

Stubborn Flush Lever or Chain

If your toilet handle feels loose or does not spring back into place after you flush, check the flush lever (the type of handle you depress) or the chain inside the tank that connects to the flapper. Chains often tangle and can detach from the lever and flapper. Likewise, flush levers can become loose or corroded over time, preventing a proper flush.

Clogged Toilet

If your toilet is not flushing normally or, worse, overflowing, you may also have a clog. This is often caused by flushing too much toilet paper, wipes, or feminine products. For minor clogs, try using a common bathroom plunger. If this does not restore flow, you may need to snake the drain or contact our experienced plumbing team.

To prevent future clogs, never flush wipes (even the ones that claim they’re flushable!), feminine products, cat litter, floss, or other non-biodegradable items.

Revive Your Restroom. Restore Your Peace of Mind.

Are plumbing issues keeping you from enjoying a fully functional home? We're here to help. With nearly 40 years of experience, our family-owned business is committed to delivering reliable and cost-efficient plumbing and HVAC services. Whether you need bathroom repair, replacement, or installation, our expert team is on call 24/7 to assist. Contact us today!