How To Fix a Slow Flushing Toilet

Every so often, a toilet doesn't quite get clogged, but it isn't running up to 100% capacity either. When you flush a toilet that is processing water slowly, it can still back up water into the bowl and cause flooding in you bathroom. That's why it is important to know how to fix a slow flushing toilet. The first and most common fix would be to use a plunger. Make sure that there is a tight seal along the porcelain and then begin forcing the water down through the toilet's trap. For slow flushing toilets, this will help to control the water levels as well. This can often dislodge what has become stuck and eliminate the slow flush.

1. Take a Snake

If you can't seem to solve the problem of the slow flush with a simple plunger, then consider using a toilet snake to get rid of the problem. Make sure that you purchase a snake that has a plastic guard over the metal components of the tool. This will help you to prevent scratching up your bowl as you work on the clog. Push the snake through the trap and then rotate it to begin working loose the clog that has caused the slow leak. You may need to move the flexible components up and down several times to get through the clog and it may take some work if the clog has tried inside the trap. Keep at it and in a few minutes you'll remove the clog.

2. Use a Professional Strength Clog Remover

If you can seem to get the clog out of the toilet, then use a clog remover that is designed to work with porcelain. Turn the water off to the toilet and then plunge down water levels. Take a wet/dry vac to remove remaining water in the basin that you can't plunge. Then follow the instructions on your chosen cleaner to begin the clog removal process. It takes 15-30 minutes for clogs to typically dissolve.

3. Is It a Plumbing Problem?

Sometimes the issue of a slow flushing toilet isn't caused by the toilet. The outside plumbing can also cause a toilet to flush slowly. There is air pressure and gravity involved in most plumbing fixtures that helps to take waste into the sewer system or septic tank and problems with the connections here can also cause the issue you're seeing. Always have your pumps inspected every 3 years at maximum or talk to the city for their last inspection of sewer connections.

4. It Could Be a Top Tank Problem

Sometimes toilet flush slowly not because of a clog, but because there is low water pressure. This can occur if there is a fault in the primary seal that allows water to run into the basin or if the lift mechanism of the toilet has bent or broken. A standard toilet repair kit will take care of this problem for you. Fixing a slow flushing toilet can be a little messy, so make sure to take safety precautions if you have black water in your bowl. Then use these methods to start removing the slow clog so you can have a fresh, sanitary toileting experience once again.

Posted on Jan 22, 2015




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