Tips for Fixing a Clogged Toilet
When a toilet won’t flush at home, it can cause not only embarrassment for the homeowner but also potential health hazards for everyone living there. Wastewater is full of bacteria and other pollutants that not only damage things like drywall and bathroom furniture but also could put your family at risk. Luckily, there are three common fixes that plumbers would like to share to unclog a toilet. They are all easy steps that homeowners can take when the toilet won’t flush and they need the help of their local plumber.
Toilet Won’t Flush? Try Hydrojetting
Often, the cause when a toilet won’t flush is actually a clog further down in the plumbing system. When regular plunging or snaking won’t work, one last option is to hire a plumber to perform hydrojetting service.Hydrojetting uses highly pressurized water blasted into the pipes to thoroughly clean and scour the inside of the plumbing. It was designed to quickly remove build-up like grease, scale, and other solid debris that may have built up on the pipe walls.
This leads to a full and comprehensive pipe cleaning, which can also flush through any clogs that may be the cause when a toilet won’t flush. This service should always be performed by a licensed plumber, due to the risk of damage to the pipes.
Check The Tank’s Water Level
Another common cause when the home’s toilet won’t flush is that the water level in the toilet tank is too low. Too low of a water level does not let the toilet build up enough water pressure to appropriately flush the toilet.
To adjust the water level, homeowners can do one of two things: by using the float arm or the float cylinders.
If there is a float arm present, look for the adjustment screw that is located on top of the fill valve. This will let you raise the arm to allow for more water in the tank. Some older float arms do not have the necessary screw needed to raise the arm, and will likely need to be replaced by a newer version.
If the toilet has a float cylinder, the float clip will need to be squeezed and slid up so that more water can fill the tank.
If The Toilet Won’t Flush, Check The Flush Handle
One last option for when a toilet won’t flush in the home is to check the flush handle. Sometimes a faulty handle won’t be able to flush the toilet successfully and will need to be either repaired or replaced. This can be done with just an adjustable wrench or a pair of pliers.Start by shutting off the water to the toilet, then flush the toilet two times to get rid of all the water in the tank. Disconnect the chain or wire from the lift arm next.
Using either the wrench or pliers, turn the handle nut clockwise to unscrew it, then remove the lift arm and handle. Homeowners should bring this entire piece with them to the hardware store to ensure an exact match.
Install the new handle by inserting the lift arm through the open hole, then screw the nut back in counterclockwise to attach the handle. Reattach the chain or wire to the lift arm, and flush the toilet a few times to adjust the water height. This will fix most of the flush handle issues when a home’s toilet won’t flush.
About B&L Plumbing
Since 1999, B&L Plumbing has been providing sewer clean-out installation, clogged toilet repair services, water heater repair and replacement, and other plumbing services to the Colorado Springs, CO area. There are no after hour fees and the team offers only the highest quality work and exceptional customer service. The business is family owned and operated.
