For most homeowners, a mal-functioning toilet can be frustrating. There are instances where a simple plunging of the toilet can fix the problem but there are also times when nothing you try seems to work and you have to call in a plumber.
If you’re experiencing a toilet that is flushing slowly – you may be in luck. This is one of those times when you may be able to fix the problem yourself.
First, let’s go over a list of what issues normally cause a toilet to flush slowly.
- Your septic tank is full
- A clog somewhere in your sewer line
- Poor venting
- A problem with the flush mechanism on the toilet
- A restriction in the flow between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl
How Do You Fix a Slow Flushing Toilet?
The solution to fixing a slow flushing toilet depends on what’s causing the problem in the first place. A professional plumber can assess and fix the problem but if you want to try a few things yourself before you call in a plumber, here are our tips.
1) Use your plunger. If the cause of your slow flushing toilet is a clog – a plunger may work to dislodge that clog and get things back to working as they should be.
2) Use an auger. A plunger doesn’t always get rid of a clog but an auger (or a snake) sometimes can. Read our article on How To Use A Toilet Auger.
3) If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your toilet, you may be having a problem with your venting. Gurgling toilets are also another very good sign. Because there’s a lack of airflow in the vent, the pressure in the pipe will be greater than the air that is in the bathroom. So, when your toilet is flushed, the water in the bowl fights for the higher pressure resulting in gurgling.
4) Check the mechanics of the toilet – mainly the handle and the flush valve and the flapper in the tank. If any one of these items are not working properly, fixing or replacing them may get things back to normal.
5) Is there enough water in your tank? The water level in your toilet tank should be about one inch from the top of the tank. It may be that you are having a problem with the float in your toilet tank. Adjust that, make sure there’s enough water in the tank and see if fixing these issues corrects the slow flushing toilet problem.
6) Lastly, check the water inlet holes around the rim of your toilet bowl. These are the tiny holes on the inside rim of your toilet bowl. They do sometimes get clogged and if they do that may be the cause of your problem. You can clean these holes with a small object like a paper clip that has been straightened out.
Will A Toilet Eventually Unclog Itself?
There are times when a toilet can certainly unclog itself. After all, toilets use gravity to work and if perhaps the clog is not too severe and if there’s enough water in the toilet bowl, it may eventually work it’s way out of your toilet bowl and down your sewer pipes.
Is It Bad To Leave A Clogged Toilet Overnight?
No, you can certainly leave a clogged toilet overnight. As we said earlier, gravity works to help some small clogs resolve themselves in your toilet.
But, if you notice that your toilets are getting clogged often, there may be an underlying problem that should be addressed immediately. After all, plumbing problems don’t tend to fix themselves, if anything, they just get worse with time.
So, save yourself the headache and expense of severe damage to your pipes and/or property and get your plumbing problems fixed as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about your flushing toilets or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.