Do you have a slow draining toilet? Does the toilet water rise and take a few minutes to drain to normal height? A slow draining toilet can be very frustrating, particularly when a single flush doesn’t produce enough force to clear away the waste. When a toilet won’t flush properly this indicates a problem with your plumbing system. The good news is that a slow draining toilet may be a quick and easy fix.
Why won’t my toilet flush?
There are a few factors that could be causing your toilet to drain slowly. If the toilet bowl is filling with water when you flush, it’s important that you refrain from flushing it over and over again. If the toilet is clogged, repeated flushing runs the risk of toilet waste overflowing onto the floor.
Below are some common reasons why a toilet could be draining slowly and what to do about it.
1. Slow draining toilet caused by low water level in the cistern / tank
A common cause of a slow draining toilet that won’t flush properly is an issue with the water level in the cistern. To check the water level, remove the lid of the toilet tank. If the water level looks lower than usual, this can cause the toilet to flush incorrectly. A low water level means that the toilet may not have enough force behind the flush to clear the waste. On the other hand, if the water level is too high this can cause the toilet to run constantly. You can try to adjust the water level using the instructions in the video below.
Occasionally, the low water level in the toilet is due to a damaged fill valve (also known as an inlet valve). If you are confident in DIY repairs, you can purchase a new fill valve from most hardware stores. To replace the inlet valve you will first need to turn off the water to supply by following the steps in the video below.
Only attempt repairs once the water supply is completely turned off. Take the lid off the cistern and flush the toilet so that all of the water drains out. Once drained, unscrew the nut that connects the water hose to the bottom of the fill valve. Pull the valve up from its base and insert the new inlet valve into the hole left by the damaged one you have just removed. Secure the nut tightly under the tank using a wrench. Then, reattach the refill tube and the water supply hose. Once complete, flush the toilet to test if it’s flushing correctly. If it is, place the lid back onto the toilet cistern.
If you are unable to adjust the water level yourself or replace the inlet valve yourself, call a local plumber to come and inspect the problem.
2. Slow draining toilet caused by a simple clog or partially blocked toilet
Your toilet may not be flushing correctly due to a clogged drain. A “simple” or “local” clogged toilet occurs when there is a blockage located somewhere in the pipes near the toilet drain opening. The most common cause is someone flushing something they shouldn’t have, such as wet-wipes or sanitary items. Alternatively, using too much toilet paper in a single go can also cause a local toilet clog.
The best DIY way to deal with a a simple clog is to use a toilet plunger. A flange plunger or an accordion plunger will work best for a toilet. You can try a cup plunger if that’s the only plunger you have on hand. However, due to the irregular surface shape of the toilet drain opening, it will be more difficult to get a tight seal using a cup plunger.
The local plumbers at JAB Plumbing Solutions can quickly remove clogs from slow draining toilets using a jet blaster.
Put on some gloves and have a few old towels nearby for any overflowing water or splash-back. If the toilet bowl is very full, remove some of the water first using a bucket. You want the plunger to be submerged but too much water will make it difficult to plunge. Ensure there is a tight seal around the toilet drain hole. Plunge gently the first time to let some of the air out of the plunger cup and to avoid water splashing back at you. Start plunging more forcefully in up and down motions. Keep the plunger vertical to ensure the seal doesn't break and remains tight.
Plunging is a gradual process and the deeper the clog is located in the pipes, the longer it will take to loosen. A badly blocked toilet can take between fifteen and twenty minutes of steady plunging to loosen. If you haven’t managed to unblock the toilet within half an hour we suggest calling the local plumbers at JAB Plumbing Solutions 1800 225 552.
3. Slow draining toilet caused by a blocked sewer line
Sometimes the cause of a slow draining toilet is more complex than a local clog in the toilet. There could be a blockage further down the line of your sewerage system. A sewer blockage is much more difficult to clear and requires a licensed local plumber.
Common causes of blocked sewers include a build-up of congealed grease that has gone down the kitchen sink, wet-wipes, sanitary items or tree roots that have entered through a crack or loose joint in the pipe. A sewer may also clog if the pipes have collapsed, bellied or sagged.
We do not recommended that homeowners attempt DIY blocked sewer repairs because their efforts it will be futile. If the sewer blockage is caused by an old pipe that has collapsed under the ground, no amount of plunging or drain cleaner chemicals will remedy the issue. The longer the sewer remains blocked, the worse the problem will get.
Call a local plumber as soon as possible. They will be able to use plumbing cameras to inspect the inside of the pipes to determine the cause of the clog. Using this footage the plumber can determine the best remedy, whether it be high-pressure drain cleaning with a jet blaster or replacing the damaged pipework.
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