Do You Flush and Wait? See How You Could Fix a Slow-Flushing Toilet That Leaves You Agitated
A slow-flushing toilet isn't just gross — it's also wasteful and annoying. If you ever flushed your toilet and waited for several minutes for the 'mess' to clear, you know how disgusting it feels. However, fixing a slow-flushing toilet is easy if you first identify what causes it and understand how the toilet works. The toilet won't flush properly if the siphoning pressure is low or if the water doesn't flood in time. Did you know that a partial clog in the waste pipe could also cause a slow-flushing toilet? A clogged waste pipe doesn't hinder water flow completely, but it prevents water from passing through, causing slow flushing. Find out how you fix a slow-flushing toilet.
Use White Vinegar
If the overflow tube of your toilet is clogged, pour white vinegar down the tube to unclog it. Although a bleach-vinegar mixture could also be used, it may not unclog the jet holes—it will only fix the surface clogs. Follow these steps to remove the clogs inside the overflow tube:
- Get some 12 ounces of white vinegar and heat it to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
- Use a funnel when pouring the hot vinegar down the overflow tube to avoid unnecessary accidents. Let the solution sit overnight before you could flush the toilet again.
- Use a small hex key or a piece of wire to clean the toilet's jet holes the following morning. Flush to see if the trick worked. If the toilet was flushing slowly as a result of jet clogs, they may still recur after a while.
- To avoid recurrence, check for mineral deposits and bacteria. If you discover a light-coloured material in the clogged jet holes, then hard water is the cause. In this case, installing a water softener system would be a long-term solution.
Inspect the Flapper
The flapper is the cup-shaped fixture at the base of the toilet tank that usually covers the drain hole. A rod or chain is used to connect the flapper to the handle. Did you know that you also lift the flapper when you pull the handle? However, if you release the handle and realise the flapper closes too quickly, then the flapper could be worn out or damaged. Also, the handle won't rise enough if the handle and flapper aren't properly connected. If you want to adjust the flapper, start by re-positioning the chain or rod. Then flush the toilet and check if the slow-flushing problem has been fixed.
You could also fix a slow-flushing toilet by adjusting the tank's water level and cleaning the rim. But wait a minute! Did you know that a slow-flushing toilet could be due to some other bigger plumbing problems? If sludge has clogged the pipes or the septic tank is full, the toilet will flush slowly. In this case, you may have to invest in professional plumbing services to fix the cause of your slow-flushing toilet.
To learn more, contact a company that offers plumbing services.