My toilet is not flushing properly

The first order of business is to determine what kind of flush trouble you’re having exactly. Toilets are not that complicated and usually, flush-issues are due to issues with the toilet flapper. Below we explore some possible solutions...

Broken or Damaged Flapper

You may have seen your toilet flapper once or twice. It's the small cover (most commonly rubber) that holds the water in your tank. When you flush you're actually using a small chain or connector to lift the flapper, which then releases water in the tank and initiates the flush.

Common flapper issues include:

Wear and tear: They are built to last, but not to last forever. A flapper that has begun to wear down can cause phantom flushes (spontaneous refilling), as well as reduce your flushing power.

Chain binding: If your toilet seems to flush not quite right, if the flush continues for longer than usual (or indefinitely), or if the flush refuses to initiate, it could be that the chain or attachment for your flapper has become tangled. This is an easy fix, and simply requires unknotting the chain inside the cistern.

Limescale on toilet flappers: This is quite common in the South East of England due to the hard water from the Thames... Put simply, the accumulation of mineral deposits can damage a flapper, creating a break in the seal and creating phantom flushes and weak flushing power. In this case all the flapper needs is a bit of cleaning and you’re good to go.

Larger plumbing Issues

The other really big plumbing issue you are likely to encounter is one you may have had once a twice before - a clog or a blockage. Simple clogs are easy enough to tackle on your own with a solid plunger. However, not all clogs are simple, or even near enough to the toilet drain to be impacted by the use of a plunger.

These deep clogs can be way down the line, even near the sewer line exit itself, and will require a professional's tools to accommodate. However while it will take a plumbing repair call to our team, our experts and tools make easy work of it! That means you can be back to flushing normally in no time, and with minimal stress. Contact our plumbing experts at FC Drainage Solutions for fast, efficient and accurate repair services!