How Can I Flush the Toilet if the Handle is Broken?

If the toilet handle breaks, you can still flush the toilet without it. How? I will walk you through the steps to ensure that you can properly flush the toilet even if your handle breaks. 

You’ll be pleasantly surprised to know how easy it is to flush the toilet without a working handle. 

Where is the Toilet Handle Attached?

The handle is actually attached to an arm inside the tank. That arm is connected to the chain that then connects to the flapper in the tank.

The way a toilet handle works is when you push down on the handle, this tugs on the chain and rises the flapper up, making the toilet flush.

what the arm looks like on the inside of the tank that is attached to the toilet handle on the outside
This is what the arm attached to the flush handle looks like.

Steps to Take to Guide You Through 

  1. Take off the toilet lid and set it aside so you can see the inside of the toilet tank. 
  2. Find the flapper at the bottom of the tank.
  3. Check to see if the chain is connected to the flapper and handle lever. If so, you can simply pull up on the chain to lift the flapper which will flush your toilet.
  4. If the chain is not connected, you can stick your hand in the water and lift the flapper up on its own, causing your toilet to flush. 
replacing a toilet flapper - man holding up flapper inside toilet tank by lift chain
This is what a flapper looks like.

What Do I Do If I Have No Running Water?

You can still flush your toilet without having any running water and a broken handle. All you need is a bucket of water to flush down the toilet.

Start by slowly pouring the bucket of water into the toilet. Be cautious to not spill it. Gradually pour the bucket of water in faster so the water is able to give the force it needs to flush the toilet completely. Make sure you don’t pour it so fast to where you have to worry about overflowing the toilet. 

5 gallon bucket - use to flush toilet with broken handle and no running water
For a decent amount of water to flush, use something like this 5-gallon bucket.

Final Thoughts 

In conclusion, you can still flush the toilet with the handle being broken. You just have to know what to look for when you’re looking inside of the toilet tank.

The most important aspect is being able to identify the flapper. If you know what the flapper looks like, you’ll have no problem figuring out how to flush your toilet while the handle is broke.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber 

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing help with your toilet or toilet handle. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. 

We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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