Toilets are one of those household fixtures we take for granted. However, they can be the source of a great deal of anxiety when they are not working properly. It can be frustrating dealing with a toilet that doesn’t work properly. The following are some tips to help you fix some of the most common problems with toilets. 

 

Your toilet is clogged 

Toilets can become clogged for a number of reasons. It may be that too much toilet paper was used or items that are not meant to be flushed such as diapers were flushed down the toilet and are clogging the system. 

The fastest way to unclog a toilet is by using a toilet plunger. Insert the plunger in the toilet and work it up and down vigorously. Flush the toilet and observe for whether it drains properly and leaves clear water. 

If plunging doesn’t work, use a plumbing auger to unclog the toilet. Insert the auger’s end into the toilet. Use it to push or break the clog. Flush the toilet to observe how freely it is draining. 

 

There isn’t enough water in the tank 

Toilets need a certain volume of water to effectively flush waste away. If the water level is too low, the toilet will not flush. Check the water level in the tank to confirm that it is too low. It should be not more than one inch below the overflow tube. 

If the water level is too low, check the water inlet valve. Check to see if it has been turned off accidentally. Turn it on and observe the water level. 

 

You have a bent or warped flapper

Flushing toilets have a rubber flapper that lets water into the tank when the toilet is flushed. The rubber flapper closes the water intake hole when the desired water level is reached. If the flapper is bent, warped or worn out, it will not stop water from entering the tank and this can result in overflow. 

Flappers are easy and inexpensive to replace. Purchase a rubber flapper at your local hardware or home improvement store. Turn off the water inlet to the toilet and flush the toilet to drain the water tan. Remove the old flapper and replace it with a new one. Turn on the water inlet and observe to ensure that the new flapper is working.

 

Lose flush handle 

This is a common problem that can make it difficult to effectively flush the toilet. It can happen for a number of reasons. 

Lift the lid off the toilet tank. Check the lift chain to see if it is connected properly to the lift arm from the flapper. If not, reconnect the lift chain and try the flush handle. If the flush handle still isn’t working, adjust the handle mounting nut from the inside of the tank. Tighten the handle and flush the toilet to see if the handle is working. 

Use the tips above to fix these common problems and get your toilet back up and running.