Diagnosing a Toilet Problem
We asked one of our plumber, Steve, if he could tell us a little about diagnosing a toilet problem or clogged toilet. Steve explains to us several different reasons why a toilet may not be flushing. “Believe it or not, a toilet is in delicate balance. The level of water in the tank, the speed of the water, the air pressure in the system, and the amount of water in the bowl all have to be perfect for a modern toilet to flush."
To troubleshoot your toilet, pour three gallons of water into the bowl. If the water does not go down within the first couple of seconds, your problem is a clog blocking the flow. This can be fixed by using an auger to break up the blockage. Make sure your auger has a rubber sleeve around its cable so you don't scratch the porcelain finish in the bowl. If the water returns to normal level, try flushing, three attempts. If it does not work during any of the tries, something is wrong with the pipes below the toilet. If the flush works during every attempt, then the problem may be between the tank and the bowl.
Sometimes if something is blocking the jets that puts the power into the flush, not as much force is going to be exerted to push waste through the pipes. Finally, if nothing is clogging the jets, something might have flushed down into the rim and is blocking water flow. The fix for this is, unfortunately, a new toilet.
If the fill valve inside of the toilet tank is not filling properly, the toilet will not flush every time. You can tell if this is the problem by “removing the small 1/8 inch plastic tube that goes above the water level from the fill valve on the left side of the toilet tank to the center overflow tube and see if there is a fast stream of water entering the tube and refilling the bowl,” explained Steve.
If your toilet is not holding the two gallons of water that should be idle in the bowl when flushing, the toilet will not flush properly. What you should do is very slowly (so it doesn’t flush) pour about ½ a gallon of water into the bowl so it will rise to its maximum water volume. “If the flapper does not stay floating long enough, the water will only partially leave the tank and the required amount of water to flush the toilet will not enter the bowl,” described Steve. You may buy a new flapper to fix this problem. If you still can't diagnose the problem, call in the best plumbers, Roto-Rooter, for a free estimate. You can reach them at 800-768-6911 or schedule a service call on-line by clicking here.
FIRST THINGS TO CHECK WHEN A TOILET BREAKS
A toilet malfunction can happen at any time. Before calling in the plumbing professionals, it is best to first assess the situation to see if there is something that can be done without the assistance of a plumber. From a running toilet, to a broken toilet flapper, here are a few simple items to check when your toilet malfunctions:
IS THE LEVER IN BAD SHAPE?
When you push down on a toilet lever to flush, a corresponding lever inside the tank lifts a flap at the bottom of the tank, allowing the water to empty into the bowl, while washing away its contents and refilling with new water. Often, one of these two levers might be in need of repair and may start sticking when you flush, causing the flapper valve inside the tank to stay open, and water to keep running. Sometimes, all it takes to stop a running toilet is to just lift the outside handle back to its original position. If this is the case, the chain between the handle and the flapper might be tangled, or the flush lever may be warped, bent or broken.
Roto-Rooter recommends that when you replace the flush lever, or do any other sort of toilet maintenance, you first turn the water supply valve counter clockwise to shut off the water.
EXAMINE THE LIFT CHAIN
The lever inside the toilet is connected to the flapper by a chain. When you push down on the handle, the lever inside lifts the chain and the chain lifts the flapper. If the lift chain becomes disconnected or is too long, the toilet handle will wiggle in place when you try to flush. If the chain is too taught, it might be suspending the flap in place and causing a slow leak. If your toilet will not flush, or if it won't stop flushing, there's a good chance you need to fix the lift chain.
IS THE FLAPPER BROKEN?
Over time, the flap might become warped or accumulate grime, which, according to Apartment Therapy, can result in a leak. If the flap is dirty or warped, it won't seal the tank correctly. If one of the hinges on the flap is broken it will cause it to fall back into place crooked with each flush. If this is the case, no need to worry because toilet flappers are as cheap and easy to replace as a lever or chain.
If everything appears to be working as it should and you are certain that your toilet isn't clogged, call the plumbing professionals at Roto-Rooter to help assess the situation and get your toilet working properly again in no time!
TOILET VENT ISSUES
When the water in a toilet bowl drops and the tank is full without leaks, it generally means you have a clogged vent. When water enters a pipe, it has to push ahead the air inside the pipe. After water goes through a vent, it replaces the water that was lost when the toilet is flushed.
When a vent is not working properly due to a blockage, the water will leave a vacuum causing the air from the outside to be drawn into the inside of the pipe. If the outside is blocked by water in the trap of the toilet, water will also be drawn in to replace the air. Until the air in the pipe is replaced by another vent or the water is able to run level in the pipe it will be able to then refill.
A Roto-Rooter plumber would be happy to provide further assistance, if you are in need. For professional plumbing services call 800-768-6911 and a licensed plumbing specialist will be sent out at your convenience.
You can also check out the Ask the Plumber section of our Web site if you have other inquiries about this or other plumbing problems and we will get back to you with more plumbing advice.
THE PLUMBERS' TOILET GUIDE FOR DUMMIES
Home plumbing repair and maintenance is no easy task, especially if you lack experience. Problems that come about can become quite overwhelming if you do not know what to do. With the help of Roto-Rooter, you have access to the services and products you need to get the job done right. We care about all our customers and always strive to improve the Roto-Rooter experience. Since 1935, we have built a brand and name that people trust. We know how difficult home plumbing systems can be, so we have gone the extra mile to not only continue providing great service, but also provide good information to get you started on the right foot.
TOILET REPAIR
Use the following steps to take better care of your toilet and to fix common problems.
Things you will need:
- Toilet plunger—this handy tool is a must for each bathroom in your home. Keep it close so you are ready no matter what.
- Work gloves—rubber or plastic will do just fine. Whether you are cleaning or performing some kind of repair, keeping your hands clean from the gunk and grime will do wonders for your happiness.
- Plumbing snake—this goes beyond what a plunger is capable of and gets you to the heart of the problem quickly.
- Roto-Rooter drain cleaners and enzymes—these products will keep things running smoothly and cut your clogs in half.
Consider the following for better toilet bowl maintenance and care:
- When the toilet bowl clogs, it is important to act quickly. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is to flush a second time. Even if it is just a hiccup in the system that can be plunged in a couple seconds, flushing again before the bowl can empty can lead to overflowing and a frustrating mess.
- Grab the toilet plunger and work the drain for a moment or two. Most clogs are easy to handle and will be clear after using the plunger.
- If you notice that the toilet bowl isn’t draining, it may be time to pull out the plumbing snake. Wearing a pair of work gloves, use the snake to reach deep into the toilet pipes and then use the hook on the end to push the blockage through.
- Finally, as professional plumbers do, pour cleaners and enzymes down the drain to keep your toilet clog-free in the future.