There is no clog in the toilet, but it still won’t flush

There is no clog in the toilet, but it still won't flush

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Is your toilet not flushing? Is the flushing power of your toilet weak? Is the water from your water tank leaking? Do you realize that your toilet is not clogged but still won’t flush then the following might be the issues you’re facing!

  • The toilet was designed poorly and you need to lodge a complaint to their company.
  • A problem with the link chain. Not too tight and not too loose but JUST RIGHT.
  • The siphon jet or the rim holes are clogged if the toilet isn’t clogged itself.
  • Low water level leads to weaker flush.
  • Flappers! No, not the 90’s flappers, we mean the Toilet flappers.

Since we’re feeling extra generous we’ll not only show you which of these can be the problem with your toilet But ALSO how to deal with them to the best of everyone’s (namely yours) ability (Yes, we know how amazing and helpful we are.)

Poor Design

If your toilet is new then this is most likely one of the probable issues but if you are well past the point of new toilets then you can cross this off the list right now!

But if this is the crisis you’re facing then make a run for your phone and hope your plumber is a good one because this issue is definitely out of your league and absolutely within a professional’s pay grade, just be ready to give out a hefty sum.

Slack Link Chain

If you were to search the cases of toilets registered where the link chain was the culprit, then there are not many. But it doesn’t hurt to check.

The link chain in your toilet tank must not be too loose, kinda like a kid’s discipline, or it will not lift the flapper fully. This means, not a lot of water will make it into the bowl. How to fix this? Simply adjust the slack in the chain, of course!

Another problem could be that the chain might get stuck in another part of the toilet trunk. Then just untangle the link chain from the said part and Voila! Problem solved.

Clogged siphon jet and rim hole

A siphon jet is a hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl straight opposite the drain opening and just like how no human is the same, the same goes for their toilets! Not all toilets have siphon jets.

Do you remember the stains around the rim of the bowl you used to throw water at as a youth in hopes to wash them away? Boy! Do I have news for you! If you look carefully then you might find little holes there. Those little holes are called Rim holes and they are found in toilets with or without Siphon Jets, and toilets without siphon jets use the water from these holes for flushing.

Where does the problem come from, you ask? Well, since you asked so politely, the Siphon jets and rim holes can get clogged by mineral deposits. Partially or completely. This prevents the water from entering the bowl which means that there isn’t sufficient water for a good strong flush. 

Don’t worry your heads over it because this problem has a solution as well and we’re here to guide you through it.

White vinegar, a small L-shaped wrench, and some sturdy gloves, and if you have it, then baking soda and a small hose would do too. Just get the aforesaid items and then let’s get to unclogging!

  • First, locate the siphon.
  • Then push the small hose through it, if you don’t have a hose then do it with your hands to unclog it and get rid of as much calcium as possible. Don’t forget to wear gloves.
  • Flush. If the flushing power has increased as compared to before then you have found the problem and now it’s time to deal with the calcium deposits that have gathered.
  • If you have a plunger then use it to force out water from the bowl but if you do not have a plunger then use a cloth.
  • Now proceed to the toilet tank and remove the lid. Be very careful with it and place it in a safe place gently so it doesn’t break.
  • Do you see a huge tube inside the tank? That is called the overflow tube. Pour two cups of vinegar down the tube. (yes, you must have vinegar. This is not optional and we’re not going to have a debate over it or the possible alternatives.)
  • The vinegar will make its way down and break down the limescale but if you want the process to go faster then pour baking soda down as well. This will help in opening the rim holes.
  • You can wait for a few hours (and we mean more than 2 or 3) or you can sleep away the night and check it the next day.
  • Poke a Hex key or Allen wrench through the rim holes to make sure that they are unclogged.
  • Then flush to make sure that the flush is strong.

Low Water Level

water level

If the water level in your toilet tank is low then the flush would be weak and not all the way through and a weak flush is basically no flush. This means that you need to adjust your water levels. You can do this by twisting the “tank water level adjusting screw” which is connected to the float. Twisting it clockwise is for a higher water level and twisting it Counterclockwise is for lower water level. 

Now check to see if the toilet flush is strong and remember! A weak flush is no flush.

Toilet flappers

The average toilet flapper lasts for about 4 to 5 years and then it starts to cause leaking problems. In order to prevent the leaking problems we must remember to change them from the old to new. 

This, however, does not mean that they won’t become warped or bent. Such an occurrence ruins the original design of the flapper that was created to completely seal the valve. This issue will lead to the water leaking into the bowl and leaving the water level in the toilet tank low and as established before, low water level means weak flushing. 

How to tell the flappers are leaking? 

Simple! Just take some dark colored dye (preferably food coloring) and pour it into the water tank and then wait for about 15 minutes. If you see the color in the toilet bowl that means your toilet flapper is leaking. 

Now how to go about fixing this issue? 

That is also very simple! You can call a professional for help and replacing the flapper is relatively cheap. But if you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and prefer doing it yourself then here are the steps to walk you through it! And don’t worry, doing it yourself is also pretty simple!

But let’s get a few things ready first! 

Gloves so that you won’t get stains on your hands,  A correct sized flapper and a garbage bag so you can throw away your old one.

Now, let’s get our hands or gloves dirty!

  • Shut off the water supply to your tank.
  • Take off the lid and as previously mentioned, be very careful with it!
  • Take out the remaining water in the tank so it doesn’t get in the way of working. 
  • Time to take off your old flapper and remember to detach the link chain from the flapper before removing it. And throw the old flapper in your garbage bag because it will stain the floor otherwise and that just means more work!
  • Put your new flapper in place and attach the link chain to it.
  • Turn on the water supply to your tank and watch till it fills completely.
  • Put the lid back on and if for further reassurance, flush the toilet to make sure the flushing is strong.

These are all the reasons and solutions to your flushing problems without the toilet itself clogging.

But if you have concluded that none of these are your problems while taking off the toilet lid because your water tank doesn’t  even HAVE water then you might wanna turn on the water supply to your tank because that means you are literally not getting any flushing done rather then the weak flush we’ve been preaching about this entire time.

We hope that that took care of your  toilet crisis. You can do it manually or call for professional help whichever suits you best while in some cases you NEED to call for a specialist.

But if you can’t be bothered to go through the steps of finding out the reason either then just remember this information in case the specialist you’ve called tries to scam you.


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