A common cause of toilet flushing problems is a damaged or loose lift chain. Toilets can run into many problems, but the most frustrating for many homeowners is when a toilet will not flush properly. If this is the case or the toilet is slow to drain or drains continuously after flushing, there may be several causes. An improper flush, however, does not always mean you need a new toilet or an expensive call to the plumber. Often homeowners can fix the problem with a few adjustments inside the tank. Doesn't Flush at All If the flush lever doesn’t work at all, there may be one of two problems with your toilet. If the tank is empty, the toilet will not flush. The tank is filled with water from the supply line running into your toilet tank. The valve for this is usually on the wall behind the toilet bowl. Make sure the valve is open, and then check inside the tank to make sure the float is not stuck or obstructed. The second issue may be that the chain connecting the flush lever to the flapper is broken or too loose.

This prevents the flapper from opening and closing, and this prevents the toilet from flushing. Vacuum Cleaner NetherlandsCheck the chain or wire that connects the lever to the flapper. Red Tie Dye CurtainsIf it is a chain, remove some links to tighten it, or replace it if the chain is too tight. Crescent BlindsIf the lever is connected with a wire, loosen the screw on the lever arm and adjust the length of the wire. Bowl Does not Empty While sometimes a bowl that doesn’t empty indicates a blockage in the drain, this isn’t always the problem. If you have plunged or snaked the toilet and the water in the bowl still will not drain, your water pressure may be too low or the chain connecting the flapper to the flush lever may be too long. Adjust the chain length to correct the problem, but if water pressure is the issue, you may have to contact a plumber to inspect your lines.

Slow or Weak Flush Sometimes toilets will flush, but the water drains slowly or it does not drain everything from the bowl. This is often caused by dirt and mineral deposits blocking the flow of water under the rim of the toilet bowl. Scrubbing under the rim with a stiff wire brush and some white vinegar will typically remove this buildup and correct the problem. You can also use a straightened wire coat hanger to loosen debris in these holes. A partial blockage in the drain may also cause a slow or weak flush. Plunging the toilet is usually enough to loosen the material causing the clog and allow the water to drain freely. Continuous Flush If your toilet runs continuously after flushing, a leak may be causing the problem. When the water enters the tank, if the flapper isn’t properly positioned over the drain, water will leak into the toilet, causing it to run. Make sure the float arm is lifting and lowering properly and that there are no obstructions preventing the flapper from dropping into place to seal the opening in the bottom of the tank.

If the flapper is damaged, it must be replaced. Flappers are available at most hardware stores either by themselves or as part of a kit that includes the flapper, float arm and float ball. References ADP Toronto Plumbing: Top 5 Residential Flush Toilet ProblemsAffiliated Property Group: How to Fix a Toilet that has Stopped FlushingThis Old House: Toilet Tune-Up Photo Credits Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionOne of the most frequent and annoying problems with anyone’s toilet is a faulty toilet handle. There is no doubt as to the fact that the toilet is one of the most important and frequently used equipment in anyone’s home. It is therefore very inconvenient whenever there is something wrong with it, since you would have to fix it sooner rather than later. If you notice a problem with your toilet handle it may not be necessary to call a plumber immediately. The following steps can help you resolve the problem on your own: Before starting to fiddle with the handle, you need to make sure that the problem is not coming from somewhere else.

If the handle tightens inflexibly, jiggles loosely or moves up and down with no effect on the toilet, then the problem is indeed the handle. Locate the nut on the inner side of your toilet, and use your wrench to tighten it. Make sure you turn the wrench in a clockwise direction, or else you would be loosening it further. Once you tighten the nut, check your handle again to see if it is still loose. It may be that you have to hold the toilet handle down when you flush. If you shorten the length of the chain, you would not have to do so any more. Try to adjust any loose points in the tank’s chain. You can do this by using the needle-nose pliers to eliminate certain chain links. Conversely, you can also fasten the chain through another hole. If you notice any broken chains, make sure you replace them with new ones. Another problem may be the mounting nut, which is located on the tank’s inner side, right on the back of the handle. Lift off the tank lid and wipe the mounting nut thoroughly.

If you notice any residual lime attached to it, use the brush and vinegar to wipe it off. If you go through all the steps and the problem persists, you would do well to call an expert plumber as a last resort. While it is important to try to get things fixed on your own, there is no doubt that expert opinion should always be resorted to, since you may end up damaging your appliances rather than fixing them. When any sort of problem with your toilet arises, it is vital to get to the root of the problem immediately. As we all know, a problem with our toilet would cause a significant inconvenience in our daily lifestyle. If the problem is a loose toilet handle, then you should be able to fix it and resume your daily life by following the simple steps just outlined. You're a power user moving through the website with super-human speed. A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article.