Plumbing Tips | September 16, 2022
How To Fix A Weak Toilet Flush
If your toilet flush is weak, it can make it difficult to use your toilet properly. Luckily there are many things that can cause a toilet flush to be weak, so there are many ways to fix it.
Your Toilet Is Clogged
The waste line pipe is what takes the waste from the toilet into the sewers or septic tank outside of your home. This pipe commonly clogs from flushing something you shouldn’t down your toilet. This is the most common reason for your toilet flush being weak. Certain objects can not properly dissolve in the water the way human waste does. For example, tampons are made of cotton and expand in the water instead of breaking down. The role of thumb is to not flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper.
To solve this problem, unclog the toilet with a plunger. Even if there is only a small amount of debris in the pipes. Clearing out any clogs will improve the flush. If the plunger doesn’t work, there are many other methods to clear the drain. Some of these other methods are a drain snake, vinegar and baking soda, and dish soap and hot water.
Clogged Rim Jets
The rim jets are located at the rim of the toilet and also contribute to the release of water required to flush waste down your toilet. These release water down the side of your toilet bowl. There are multiple small jets around the rim that can clog the same as the siphon jet. They are important to make sure the toilet flushes properly. If they don’t have a strong flow, they need to be cleaned.
Clean these the same way you clean the siphon jet. Use white vinegar and scrub them with a brush.
Clogged Siphon Jet
If the rim jets are not the cause of your weak toilet flush, check the siphon jet. The siphon jet is located in the toilet bowl and pushes water directly into the toilet trap. This is the main source of water used to flush the toilet. This needs to be properly cleaned often because of mineral buildup that is often caused by hard water. Hard water contains minerals that not only leave your dishes and fixtures looking dirty, but it also leaves buildup. This buildup will clog your fixtures.
If this is clogged with minerals, use white vinegar to clean it. Take a brush and apply the vinegar while scrubbing away the mineral buildup. After it is clean, it should be able to release water at full strength.
Low Water Level In Bowl
Water being low in your toilet bowl will make it difficult to get a good flush. As mentioned previously, the fill valve opens and closes to release water into your toilet. If this is not working properly or is broken, it will result in you having low water levels in your toilet bowl.
To fix this, replace the fill valve in your toilet.
Low Water Level In Tank
If the water level in your tank is too low, there will not be enough water to get a proper flush which will cause the flush to be weak in your toilet. All of the water that is used to flush your toilet comes directly from the tank. Check to make sure the water level is up to the mark on the inside of your tank to ensure it is high enough. It is possible that the water is not properly adjusted.
If the water level is too low, you will need to adjust it to the proper height. To do this, you will need to adjust the height of the float valve. The float valve tells the fill valve when it needs to open or close. Once the float valve becomes too low, the fill valve will open to let more water into the tank to raise it. Then the fill valve will shut again once the float reaches the maximum height.
Flapper Is Loose
Finally, if your toilet flush is still weak check the flapper. The flapper allows the toilet to release water when you flush. If the chain is not tight enough, it will make it difficult to get a good flush. Not releasing enough water will make it difficult to actually flush anything down your toilet.
To fix this, you will need to tighten the chain. Most flappers have a clip that you can move up or down and tighten or loosen it. Use this to make the chain tighter.
Final Thoughts
If none of these solutions worked for you, there may be a bigger issue. To solve the problem and get a proper fix, call your local plumber to investigate. Some issues are too difficult to do on your own, so there is no shame in getting some help!
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you have a leak in your gas lines for your gas appliances. 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.