What to Do If Your Toilet Won’t Flush

Court Lundberg • April 24, 2023
Man on phone looking at open toilet in bathroom.

Flushing the toilet in your Utah home and watching the water rise instead of go down can be anxiety-provoking. If your toilet won’t flush properly, there are a few potential causes. They vary from minor concerns to more severe plumbing issues. Here’s what you can do if your toilet won’t flush.


A Broken Toilet Handle


If you push on the toilet handle and nothing happens, it may indicate a broken or disconnected handle. The handle of your toilet is connected to a flapper valve by a small chain, located inside the toilet tank. Pressing down on the handle elevates the flapper, allowing water to flow out of the toilet bowl. Reattaching the chain if it’s fallen off may be all that’s needed. However, replacing the entire mechanism may be needed to restore proper function to your toilet.


Not Enough Water in Your Toilet Tank


If your toilet tank lacks sufficient water, it won’t flush due to inadequate water pressure for emptying the bowl. Ideally, the water level in the tank should be one inch below the top of the overflow tube. Adjusting the flush valve may resolve the issue in some cases. However, other potential causes could include toilet leaks, cracks in the toilet tank, or water pressure problems.


A Clogged Toilet


Your toilet is designed to handle specific quantities and types of waste. Toys, sanitary products or excessive amounts of toilet paper can cause clogs. Sometimes, using a plunger can resolve the issue and restore proper flow. However, more severe clogs may require the expertise of a professional plumber. They can use specialized tools to unclog the toilet and restore normal function.


Fast, Friendly, and Fair Plumbing Services


At Rare Breed Plumbing, we are proud to have expert plumbers who focus on the quality of service that our customers experience. We treat your home like our own, taking great care as we do our job.


Our services include general plumbing and the installation of garbage disposals, water heaters, washing machine connections and dishwashers. We offer residential maintenance services to keep your pipes, appliances and fixtures working as they should. Contact Rare Breed Plumbing today to let our team accurately fix your plumbing issues the first time.

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