Your toilet is designed to wash away the debris with a big rush of water. After flushing, the contents disappear down the drain pipe and out of your home. Sometimes, there isn’t enough power to empty the bowl, and you are left waiting for the tank to refill so you can flush again.
We all need our toilets working at 100%, and any decrease in flushing power is the worst. Go through these issues and check them off one by one until your problem is resolved. Call a qualified plumber to come to the rescue if you still have bad flush power. They will have you up and running at full power in no time.
Does your toilet lack flush power? Here’s how to resolve the issue and increase that flush.
Check Low Water Level in the Tank
One of the main reasons you don’t get a good flush is that there isn’t enough water in the bowl. Pressure from the water makes the flush, so start by checking the tank. Remove the lid and see where the water level sits against the overflow tube. This should be about an inch below the top of the refill tube, so any lower and you aren’t getting a full flush.
You can fix this by adjusting the float, so the water is allowed to rise higher before it shuts off. There is a screw on top that can be turned clockwise to run the water longer. Some models have a cylinder float valve with a clip to adjust for water level.
Fix the Flapper
Your flapper is the valve that sits over a drain hole in the bottom of your toilet tank and is attached to the flush handle with a chain and bar. As you flush by depressing the handle, the bar lifts and pulls the chain so the flapper can lift and allow the water to flow. It is on a hinge and will ride the wave until the water empties out and then seals up the hole again. If the chain has too much slack, the flapper won’t be fully open and can shut early, causing the water flow to stop.
All you need to do to correct this is to shorten the chain by adjusting the clip and latching it tighter. You can cut the chain with a pair of pliers if there is no clip. This will allow the tank to empty when you flush.
Unclog the Toilet
A clogged toilet is usually easy to spot, but sometimes a partial blockage is enough to slow down your flushing. To check if you have a clog, pour a full pot of water into the bowl and see if it flushes at full power. Suppose it doesn’t, then there is a blockage.
Start with boiling water to try and dissolve it or use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Use your plunger or bring out a plumber snake for more difficult clogs. Once it is cleared, your flushing power should increase.
Unblock the Toilet Flush Holes
Just under the rim of your toilet are holes that allow water to come into the bowl and swirl around as it drains. Different toilet models orient these in various ways, but all are there to let the water in. Less water enters the bowl when they get clogged with mineral deposits or other debris.
This isn’t the funniest job but is necessary for resolving your problem. You can use a bobby pin or the end of a coat hanger to clear the holes; even a q-tip works. Once these are cleared out, the water can freely flow into the bowl.
Plumb the Vent Blockage
While most people know that the water flushes away waste, another mechanism in the plumbing system is vital for proper water pressure. This is the venting system, and it removes gas and odours outside of your home, but if it gets blocked, the pressure reduces in the pipes and impacts the water flow.
You can get on your roof and clear any debris that may be in the vent, but it is an issue that may require a plumber to tackle. They have the tools and know-how to clear out your vent pipes.
Fix the Closed Water Valve
Sometimes it isn’t the toilet itself that is the issue but rather the water line coming in. This water valve is located behind the toilet coming out of the wall and may not be fully open. When people go on holiday, they turn the water off, and when they get back, it may only get partially open. Then the water flow is restricted.
Turn the valve fully open by spinning counterclockwise. Some models only require a quarter turn, while others need a few full rotations. This will let the full force of water flow into your tank.
