Nothing disrupts your day like a plumbing breakdown in your home. An untimely problem that leads to a plumbing repair is never welcomed. However, the one item that we need to work correctly in our homes at all times is the toilet. That’s non-negotiable!
How to Resolve Primary Plumbing Repair Problems When The Toilet Just Won’t Flush
Sometimes, however, things do go wrong, and it’s easy to panic when that happens. If your toilet doesn’t flush, there are things you should do to identify the primary issue. Dixie’s highly-qualified team of local plumbers has identified three main plumbing repair issues and how you should handle these problems when they arise.
Issue #1: You Flush And Nothing Happens
If you flush the commode and the handle feels loose, flimsy, or doesn’t do anything when pressing down on it, there is probably an issue inside the tank itself.
Solution: Check In And Around The Toilet Tank To Find The Culprit
Luckily, this situation is common enough that almost all homeowners deal with it at some point. There are also relatively easy solutions to this problem that, at the most, involve a trip to your local hardware store.
Possible Issues:
- The water level is too low. The issue could be that the tank itself is not filling up with water as it should. Manually fill the tank water and flush again to see if this resolves the issue.
- The water valve has been turned off. If you’ve already tried the above step, it could indicate that the water valve behind the toilet has been turned too low or completely off. Ensure that water is flowing correctly to the tank itself.
- The flapper in the tank is bent or warped. If those fixes don’t solve the problem, look at the rubber flapper that lets water into the toilet bowl. If the flapper is bent or warped, it could need to be replaced.
- The lift chain needs to be replaced. When flushing the toilet, watch how the lift chain responds to the pulling action. If it gets caught, is too loose, or doesn’t do anything, you will need to replace it.
For issues 3 and 4, all you likely need is a trip to your local hardware store. However, if you don’t feel comfortable making the replacement yourself, it’s time to call in a professional plumber to assist with the plumbing repair job.
Issue #2: The Toilet Is Clogged
A clogged toilet happens from time to time. You shouldn’t hit the panic button before asking yourself a few questions.
- Did anything get flushed that wasn’t supposed to?
- Did too much toilet paper get flushed?
- Is your home “of a certain age”?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, then this plumbing repair problem is likely beyond DIY help. If not, then you may start with some simple home remedies to try and alleviate the problem.
Solution: Start Small & Know When You’re In Need of Assistance
If you feel like it’s a run-of-the-mill clog, a plunger is often a handy solution that can provide a quick fix. Trying some simple tips, such as adding dish soap and hot water, may be enough if the problem is straightforward.
In the case that the flushing issues are more than what a trip to a hardware store can solve, don’t waste any more time. If you find yourself plunging more often than you’d like, or it doesn’t budge the clog, you could have deeper issues within your plumbing system. The problems within your home’s plumbing system can continue to worsen and cause significant issues down the road.
Issue #3: Multiple Drains (Including The Toilet) Aren’t Functioning Properly
Grease, hair, objects, debris, and even toilet paper and wipes can clog the primary drainage system of your home, blocking multiple drains and causing a host of issues.
If you’ve noticed that not only does your toilet not flush properly, but there are multiple drains in your home that don’t empty as they should, something is likely blocking the drain line. When you hear gurgling sounds or notice overflow in your toilets, showers, or sinks, you likely have a problem with the main sewer line.
Solution: Call A Professional
Older homes often experience a malfunction of pipes from time to time that only a certified professional can fix. Pipes can wear out with age, or something external, such as the root of a tree, can interfere with proper drainage.
Whatever the cause, an experienced plumbing service professional can thoroughly inspect your home’s plumbing system to find the root cause and the best solution for this plumbing repair.
Our team at Dixie is here to help you solve your home’s plumbing repair issues!
Plumbing repair issues are so common! While there are often easy solutions to many problems, your bathroom is too important not to take care of regularly.
Whenever you need plumbing help, even if it’s emergency plumbing services, we’re here to tackle it. We strive to help our customers as quickly as possible and get your home flowing again.
To schedule a service with Call Dixie, call for 334.232.0236 Montgomery or 334.835.5161 for Auburn. You can also schedule an appointment online.
