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Toilet Not Flushing All the Way (Reasons & Solutions)

The toilet is considered one of the most frequently used parts of the house. But sometimes the toilet can bring you one of the most unpleasant plumbing problems. In today’s article, we will discuss why the toilet is not flushing and provide the solutions with it. 

Toilet not flushing all the way  

Flushing issues in your toilet can be one of the most unpleasant plumbing problems that can be highly inconvenient and a sanitation hazard. The common reason for a toilet that does not flush is clogging. A clogged flush can range from a complete blockage in the toilet to partial obstruction. 

The toilet is considered one of the most commonly used parts of your house. But sometimes the toilet can bring you some problems that can be very disturbing and frustrating for you. 

One of the most common issues of a toilet that most house owners complain about is the flush issue. Generally, the flushing issue can be an unpleasant plumbing problem that is not only inconvenient for the toilet but also exposes a sanitation hazard. 

Many reasons can cause the toilet to have a flush that may not work properly. In most cases, the common reason that can cause the toilet not to flush is clogging. The toilet fails to flush completely. There could be several reasons that can cause the toilet flush not to work properly. 

That is why you should check and observe every component related to the toilet step by step. This will help you to figure out the location of the flushing issue easily. 

Generally, the toilet flushing issue is related to a few components of the toilet, such as the water tank, toilet chain, and handle. Is a brief discussion on why the toilet is not flushing all the way:  

Clogged toilet: 

One of the common reasons that can lead to the flushing issue of a toilet is clogging. Generally, the clogging issue in the toilet can cause the toilet to have a complete blockage to a partial obstruction. 

The main reason why the clogging occurs is due to wipes, toilet paper, and other items that can accumulate in the sewer lines and clog the toilet. Generally, it is recommended to fix the issue under the supervision of an expert plumber as soon as you can.

Flapper issue: 

Generally, the flappers are situated at the bottom of the toilet. They should seal tightly when they are closed or not in use, but if they are not sealed tightly, they will affect the way your toilet flushes. 

In most cases, the flapper can leak water if they are not sealed which will reduce the flush strength.

That is why, whenever you notice any issue with the flush that is preventing the flush to spray a powerful boost of water inside the toilet, you might need to check the flapper inside the flush tank and fix the issue.

Inlet holes: 

Generally, the inlet holes are small connectors that go inside the toilet’s bowl rim. They pass water when you flush the toilet. However, the block and clog in inlet holes can cause the flush to work slowly. 

If you see that the holes are not working properly or the water spray strength from the holes is low, it means that the inlet holes are clogged with dirt. 

Why toilet doesn’t flush all the way unless you hold it?  

The toilet is considered one of the most frequently used parts of the house. Generally, people use the toilet many times a day, however, due to prolonged use, the toilet may have some issues with the flush. 

One of the most common issues that you can often encounter with the toilet is the flush will not work properly unless you hold it. Generally, the functionality of a flush enables them to be pressed once at a time to work properly. 

However, if the toilet flush does not work all the way unless you hold it, the reason is that the flapper is not fully lifting away from the flush valve

The flush will not be able to provide the toilet with enough water. Generally, the reason is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the proper of your toilet. 

You need to clean the flush chain to make the flush work properly. In addition to that, you also need to check the flapper of your toilet flush so that it can work independently when the flush is operated.

How to fix toilet not flushing all the way?  

If your toilet does not flush. All the way it can be very frustrating and irritating for you. In addition to that, it is not only inconvenient for your toilet but also exposes a sanitation hazard. 

However, sometimes you may want to try flushing your toilet with a second flush just to clear away the toilet contents completely. But when the toilet decides not to work at all, it will not be able to operate in the 3rd, 4th, or countless flush attempts. 

If the toilet does not flush successfully, it can make you feel embarrassed and disgusted. However, wasting a lot of unnecessary water with an additional flush will increase the utility bills. 

That is why it is important to fix a toilet flush as soon as possible. Sometimes you can fix a toilet that is not flushing by yourself. It is very easy and simple. You need to follow the steps below to fix a toilet that is not flushing all the way:  

Check the water levels: 

The very first thing you need to do to fix a toilet flush that is not flushing all the way is to check the water level in the toilet tank. You need to remove the tank cover and look inside for a marked indicator. If the water is below the mark, it is not working properly. 

Fix the flapper: 

After checking the water levels, you need to fix the flapper of your toilet so that it can be lifted properly when you use the flush. If the flapper has any technical issues, you need to fix that immediately. 

If it does not fix the issue you might need to take some additional steps.

Unclog the toilet: 

One of the common reasons why the flush of your toilet may not work properly is due to a clogged toilet. That is why you need to unclog the toilet immediately so that it can operate flush properly. 

Following these steps properly will help you to get rid of the flush that has an issue when operating.

How do I make my toilet flush stronger?  

Having a flush that is not working in the toilet can be very disturbing and irritating for you. In addition to that, it can bring the worst nightmare for you when you’re in the bathroom. 

You may try pressing countless flush attempts and the contents in the toilet may not go away at all. This can be very embarrassing and make you feel disgusted. That is why you need to work on your toilet to make the flush stronger and more effective. 

There are several techniques that you can use to fix the flush of your toilet. In most cases, the flushing issue occurs due to a clogged toilet. 

That is why the first thing you need to do to make the toilet flush stronger is to unclog the toilet and check for anything that is preventing the flush from working independently. Below is a brief discussion on how to make your flush stronger:  

Clean the inlet holes: 

The first thing you need to do to make your flush stronger is to clean the inlet holes. Generally, the inlet holds provide you with water when you’re flushing the toilet. 

Check the water level: 

When you take off the cover from your flush tank you will see a mark that mentions the water level required for flushing the toilet. 

You need to fix the toilet and maintain the water level inside the flush tank. Generally, the experts recommend keeping the water level ½ inch below the overflow level to maintain it.

Increase the pressure: 

Finally, you need to increase the pressure of water getting inside the flush tank by loosening the knob that connects the flush tank directly with the water pipe. 

Hopefully, increasing the water pressure inside the flush tank will help to provide you with an adequate amount of water supply whenever you try flushing the toilet.

Final Thoughts 

It is common for the toilet flush to get clogged due to the accumulation of particles inside the flush tank. However, you can easily solve the issue by checking the flush tank and its water levels. You can also try adjusting the flapper to get rid of the flushing issue in your toilet.