Reasons Your Toilet Won't Flush & Ways to Fix It!

Few things are as embarrassing as a toilet not flushing all the way. Even if there are several toilets in the house, it's a situation that needs a quick fix. However, homeowners are often unaware of why a toilet won't flush: it could be clogged, not getting enough water, or some parts need to be replaced. Fortunately, some of these are problems that you can solve yourself!

In this article, we look into why your toilet won't flush and share some quick plumbing fixes you can try yourself—if you're up for it!

How to fix a toilet that won't flush? Read on to find out!

How to Fix a Toilet that Won't Completely Flush

Why is My Toilet Not Flushing?

It's not a question that anyone wants to ask themselves, but in every household, there are times when the toilet won't flush. It is caused by some common problems, most of which you can quickly check yourself.

First, you need to verify that your home's internal plumbing is working. If water is flowing from the taps, it should also flow into the toilet tank. If the water is not flowing, that's half-good news because it means there's a problem with your utility company. So there's nothing you can do about it other than calling your utility company, but at least your toilet is not broken).

If this isn't the case, there are some common culprits you can look for: a broken toilet flush handle, low water levels in the tank, clogged toilet jets, or a blockage. Most (but not all) of these issues are related to your flushing mechanism.

Let's have a look at these problems and how you can fix them:

The Toilet Is Clogged

Many things can cause a clogged toilet: sanitary products, wipes (anything that shouldn't be flushed), and even excess toilet paper. These objects can accumulate and clog up your sewer line.

However, looking for the reasons for clogged toilets doesn't help fix the issue, as you can't usually see what's causing the blockage. The first sign of a clogged toilet is the high water level in the bowl. There may also be a partial blockage, which you can tell if the toilet doesn't flush or flushes but not strongly enough.

How to fix it? Try loosening the blockage with a plunger or a toilet auger. If such tools don't work, pour a bucket of hot water into the bowl. If the blockage is stubborn and nothing seems to work, you may have to call in a professional plumber for clogged toilet issues who has the right tools to deal with the blockage. In the future, you can avoid a clogged toilet by only flushing down waste and toilet paper.

clogged toilet repair

The Toilet Flush Handle or Chain is Faulty

Although many parts of the flushing mechanism can fail, more often than not, it's the toilet flush handle that is faulty. The toilet flush handle is what you press to flush the toilet; it's essentially a lever that attaches to the flushing mechanism inside the tank.

The toilet flush handle is connected to the flapper by a chain. This chain may have become detached from the flushing mechanism. The chain may also be too long so that it doesn't do its job of pulling up the flapper and flushing the toilet. It is also possible that the chain is too short, the flapper does not close properly, and the toilet runs without filling with water.

How to fix it? Lift up the toilet tank and check that the chain is still attached to the mechanism. If it’s not, clip it back in place. Next, flush and check if the chain is too long or too short. The chain has to be the right length to work correctly.

If the chain looks OK, the problem could be the flapper or the toilet flush handle. Try cleaning the handle to remove any accumulated limescale, and tighten the nut on the back of the handle if you feel it has come loose. If it's completely broken, it needs to be replaced. Both the flapper and handle are easy to replace. Just be sure to take the old parts to the hardware store for reference.

The Toilet Tank Isn't Filling Up

The toilet tank must be able to fill up with water, as it needs to release a great amount of water into the toilet bowl to create a suction effect necessary for the flush. Therefore, if the toilet tank doesn't contain enough water, you'll have a toilet not flushing properly or one with a weaker flush.

How to fix it? Check that there is enough water in the tank by lifting the lid. The water level should be slightly below the overflow tube. If it's lower than this, you need to locate the toilet inlet valve and check that it isn't touching the sides of the tank or isn't incorrectly placed. See if you can put it back to its position and flush again. It can also happen that you don't hear the water running: it's a sign that the flushing mechanism is faulty and needs to be replaced.

The Toilet Jets are Clogged

Toilet jets are small holes under the rim of the toilet bowl. When you flush the toilet, water flows through these tiny holes in a swirling movement. Over time, they can become clogged with limescale, not allowing your toilet to flush correctly.

How to fix it? Toilet jets are easy to clean with a toothbrush, a small nail, or wire. You can also use vinegar or bleach to help remove the blockage faster. Check if the holes are still dirty or clogged by placing a small mirror under the rim. Be sure to clean all jets, and test if this fix worked by flushing the toilet.

Toilet Still Won't Flush? Call a Professional Plumber!

While there are a few simple ways to check why your toilet isn't flushing properly, most repair tasks are not hassle-free, and if you're new to plumbing, they can be overwhelming. You can, of course, replace some parts of the flushing mechanism yourself, loosen any blockages if you have the right tools, and clean parts to remove limescale and corrosion, but often the issue is more complicated than that. In most cases, the easiest way to fix a toilet that's not flushing is to have it done by a professional plumber.

Where to find a plumber near me? If you are looking for a reliable company for plumbing services in the Conejo Valley area, look no further than Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter and Rooter. We are a family-owned and locally-operated plumbing company, proudly serving the residents of Conejo Valley for nearly 50 years. So if you're having issues with your home's plumbing and need a team that works professionally and provides impeccable service in the shortest amount of time, Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter and Rooter is your best match. We serve 24-hour emergency plumbing services all over Southern California.

Need a professional to help with a toilet that won't flush? Contact us today at (805) 499-0448 to book our plumbing and drain cleaning services in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas.

Rick PhillipsRick Phillips
00:10 03 Feb 25
I strongly suggest getting cost estimates from other companies before hiring Conejo. I was provided an estimate of $7149 to perform what turned out to be 7 hours of work by two (relatively low paid) employees and a couple hours to use specialty equipment to pinpoint failure point. I had a blockage in my home sewer system caused by root intrusion. By using their tool inserted into the sewer pipe they said the blockage was 8 feet deep and under my concrete entryway walkway and would therefore take two workmen 2 to 3 days to complete the repairs. I questioned that pricing since it seemed too high and was provided a reduction of $850 to $6299. That still seemed like a high price but I needed to get the work done quickly so I accepted the bid. (My big mistake.) I monitored the work when their two workmen came to make the repairs. I am retired from SoCalGas so have some knowledge about excavating and fixing damaged pipe. The sewer pipe was only 3 feet deep, not 8 feet deep. The work involved digging and exposing the 4-inch plastic sewer pipe and then cutting out a 3-foot section and installing new pipe, then backfilling the excavation (which was done poorly – was not well compacted – I did this after they left as best I could. I hope my entryway sidewalk doesn’t fail/crack in the future.) They completed the work in 7 hours. I then contacted Conejo and asked to them to reconsider the price since the basis of the estimate was incorrect. I eventually spoke with their plumbing manager, Nick, who said he would speak with the person who developed the estimate and get back to me. Nick never got back to me even though I called their offices twice and texted Nick. The next contact I had from Conejo was a revised bill reducing the charge by $500, leaving me with a bill of $5799. On the positive side, the people I spoke with in their billing and/or scheduling department with friendly and responsive.
Ben RogersBen Rogers
17:47 26 Jan 25
Conejo installed a new furnace and water heater at my home, and I’m so impressed with the quality of their work. Their prices are competitive and their team is the best!
Pav GPav G
20:40 08 Aug 24
Outstanding Service from Alfredo at Conejo Valley Heating and ACWe’ve had ongoing AC issues for a couple of years, and after trying other companies, we finally found the solution with Alfredo from Conejo Valley Heating and AC. The level of professionalism and quality of work Alfredo delivered was unparalleled.From the moment he arrived, Alfredo impressed us with his attention to detail—respecting our home by wearing booties and carefully assessing the situation. He identified the root cause of our AC problems, taking his time and staying late into the afternoon, even after a long, busy day. As the last appointment of the day, Alfredo made sure our AC was fully repaired before leaving.Beyond fixing the immediate issue, Alfredo also provided valuable advice and options for maintaining our AC in the future, along with some helpful plumbing suggestions. His dedication to his craft and customer service is truly world-class.We highly recommend requesting Alfredo if you’re considering Conejo Valley Heating and AC. We’ve permanently requested him as our go-to technician for any future needs. His work is simply outstanding, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the service.
Jason DJason D
19:01 13 Jun 24
A home inspection was done for the sale of our home and the inspector flagged our furnace as not having a furnace door switch and being a potential fire hazard. Parker arrived to open the furnace door to find that the switch had a piece of black tape over it to protect it, he removed said tape, job done. Unreal. Thanks Parker.
Cindy GoodenCindy Gooden
22:09 04 Jun 24
Gave us an estimate and we decided to wait a few months before booking. I called when we were ready to book, but the person they directed us to never called us back!We ended up choosing another local plumber who charged half what CVHAPR quoted us. I'm so glad we got a second opinion.
Amber HauptmanAmber Hauptman
18:56 10 May 24
Parker was awesome! He was very informative and answered our million questions! Looking forward to working with him again soon! Thank you Parker!!!
Marlowe SchneidkrautMarlowe Schneidkraut
15:43 29 Jun 23
Easy to set up an appointment. Came on time and called ahead when they were enroute. Work was done promptly and professionally. Technician kept working area clean and cleaned up after service.
Pat PerrinePat Perrine
02:40 15 Jun 23
Professional and on time. Diagnosed the problem and gave several alternatives for repair.
Bob AbrahamBob Abraham
15:19 11 May 23
By far the best and most reliable company I've ever used. I've had nothing but good experiences with their plumbing services as well as their Air Conditioning Service. Professional in every sense of the way. Would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wants honest reasonably priced services. Thank you so much.
Thomas StevensThomas Stevens
01:12 05 Apr 23
Very professional and incredibly responsive. We were without hot water and they took care of our situation incredibly quickly. It was not a simple process and they put in overtime to get us done. Very happy and will certainly use them again.
Rebecca ZemlynRebecca Zemlyn
01:41 24 Mar 23
Wonderful experience today with the 65 point plumbing inspection. Gave me peace of mind & I know they will be back to take care of any issues. Loyal customer for heating & air services. Now, with the introduction of plumbing, I know where to go for honest, quality service. True professionals!
Lisa CallLisa Call
04:08 19 Feb 23
These guys are great! They were prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. And they are careful to not leave a mess (and they even use shoe covers to walk around in your house)! What more could you ask for? A great experience and I will use them again!
Linn GriffinLinn Griffin
04:30 08 Feb 23
Conejo Valley replaced our A/C and furnace in 2014, and just replaced our 20 year old tank water heater today. We switched from tank to tankless and were very impressed with the work. The technicians were very knowledgeable and organized; for us, the installation took only 3 hours as the space was pretty easy to access. I highly recommend Conejo Valley! The office called as soon as they left to check on how the installation went. Great customer service. To the technicians, thanks for your hard work!
Terry HunsakerTerry Hunsaker
03:16 07 Feb 23
Exceptional service from making an appointment with Nancy to Nick repairing leak under kitchen sink. Extremely professional, arrived on time, wear booties (not necessary for me), offered to wear a mask, respectful and neat. Reasonable fair pricing which turned out to be nothing major. I will use them again if needed. Thank you.
Fred GARDERESFred GARDERES
17:29 22 Jan 23
Our 20 year old furnace broke down for good over the Christmas break. And it got wet and cold…This team was able to come and quote a new heating system and have it installed, in under 6 days!They were on time, very respectful, and kept us posted continuously throughout the project.We would definitely use them again, and we strongly recommend them!
Michael MartinezMichael Martinez
00:42 07 Jan 23
Art did an excellent job. He stayed late on a rainy day to ensure my drain was working. He talked me thru the entire process and took the extra time to locate the issue and fix it as best he could. He got our drain working and gave us the long term solution and cost. I’d definitely use this company and specifically Art again.
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