One of the most panic creating problems when a toilet not flushing properly is water rising toward the top. At 24 Hour Plumber, we have seen hundreds of bathrooms flooded by toilets. Help is at hand – below we have gathered together some of the most common problem signs to look out for. When a toilet isn’t flushing properly, it’s essential to know when to call a plumber for help.
24 Hour Plumber are the emergency plumbers Dublin can rely on. We specialise in emergency and household plumbing across Dublin city and county. If you have an emergency or would like a plumber quote, call us on (01) 531 2220 or 085 855 6111 or contact us here to arrange a plumber to call out at a time that is convenient for you.
When your toilet doesn’t flush properly, it could be for several different reasons. Here are a few of the most common problems our emergency plumbers in Dublin fix every day.
Toilet Filling Up When Flushed
A blocked toilet nearly always causes an overfilling toilet bowl. The first step to fixing this problem is to try and clear the blockage. For this, you will need a plunger. A common mistake is that many people don’t realise that there is a difference between a sink plunger and a toilet plunger. You will have more success if you use the right one.
If a good old fashioned plunger doesn’t do the trick, then another DIY fix worth trying is hot water. Fill a bucket with hot water, hold it at a height above the toilet bowl and pour it in. The combination of water pressure and hot water is usually enough to unclog a household toilet.
When the problem persists, you might have to consider if it is only the toilet that is blocked. A sign that there is a blockage further along the sewage system is that your shower might back up when in use, or your sinks and bath might be slow to drain. To clear a sewage blockage, you could try a drain snake or call for a professional plumber.
Toilet Slow To Refill After Flush
Ideally, when you flush a toilet, the waste is promptly replaced with clean water. When a toilet is slow to refill after flushing, it is a definite sign that something is wrong with the fill valve. A fill valve can be found inside the toilet cistern and can wear down with time.
Toilet Keeps Running After Flushing
That sound of water running into your toilet cistern long after you’ve flushed is also a sign of a fill valve problem. Before replacing a fill valve, make sure you know the exact type and size and have all the correct tools.
Lever type toilet
when the refill valve wont shut off the water in the cistern keeps filling
Push button/flush valve
2 reasons this toilet might overflow –
- The fill valve wont shut off and keeps filling
- The flush valve has either become lodged or the seal has failed and if there is only a small amount of water at the bottom of the cistern
if Irish water have been doing routine maintenance work or emergency shutoffs in your area, dirt, debris or sediment can make its way into your water supply line feeding your toilet. The If debris lodges in the ball valve/fill valve will continue running. If this is happening to you call The 24 Hour Plumber.
An overflowing toilet can cause an apartment booster pump to turn on and off intermittently.
Toilet Is Not Flushing Completely
Do you have to flush more than once? Maybe even wait 20 minutes and come back to thoroughly flush away waste in the toilet? This is a common issue caused by one of two problems.
The first thing to check is the water level in the toilet cistern. If the water level is too low, then the toilet will struggle to flush as usual. Inside the cistern, there is an overflow pipe, use this as your guide for the water level. If the water is more than 2.5cm/1 inch below this pipe, then it is too low. To correct the water level, you will need to adjust the fill valve or the water level screw.
In some cases, a weak flush is because of a build-up of debris around the flapper valve. To check this, open up the cistern and lift the flapper to let the water empty. This will give you an unhindered view to check for and remove any visible debris.
You might also notice that the flapper, which is usually made of rubber, is worn. In this case, it will need replacing.
For help checking and repairing any toilet flush problems including your toilet not flushing properly , contact 24 Hour Plumber for a local plumber (01) 531 2220 or 085 855 6111.
