Slowly flushing the toilet can cause frustration as it often requires you to flush it twice or three times. It could be for many reasons that your toilet is not flushing as fast as you think. If you know the cause, it’s easy to fix. If you have a slow or weak flushing toilet, it could be because your tank water level is too low, the flapper chain is too loose, or the siphon jets and rim holes are clogged. A clogged vent stack or toilet drain could also cause this problem.
Slow-flushing toilets can be fixed by adjusting the water level to about 1/2 inch below the overflow tube. Also, ensure that the flapper chain is 1/4 to 1/2 inches loose. The toilet will have a stronger flush if the drainpipe, siphon jet, vent stack, and toilet rim holes are unclogged.
It would be helpful to understand the workings of a toilet before you attempt to fix it.
Table of Contents
THE TOILET TANK
The lift chain should be about 1/2 inch loose when the toilet isn’t in use. It should not be too loose or it will not lift the flapper fully and water will flow slowly from the tank to the bowl. A low water level in the toilet tank can cause slow flushes. The big tube at the bottom of the tank is called the overflow tube. It drains any excess water from the tank to the bowl, preventing the toilet from overflowing.
THE TOILET BOWL
The siphon jet, which directs water to the opening of the toilet and the rim holes under the bowl’s rim, allows water to enter the bowl. The water that comes out of the rim holes is mainly used to rinse the bowl. This will cause water to stop flowing to the bowl and result in slow flushing. To make your toilet the best power flush toilet, you need to pour large quantities of water into the bowl.
The waste and flush water are diverted at the trap and then flow down the drainpipe to the sewer. You will experience slow flushing toilets if the toilet trap is blocked or the toilet drain line is partially blocked. Ventilation allows sewer gasses to flow through your roof and down to the drain. The sewer gasses can build up pressure inside the vent if the vent is blocked. Because of this resistance, the waste can’t freely flow from the bowl.
I Want My Toilet to Flush Stronger. What Should I Do?
There are many ways to fix slow-flooding toilets, depending on the issue. These include:
- Adjust the water level in your toilet tank
- Clean the siphon jets and rim holes
- Adjust the length of the flapper chain
- Clear the drains and stack your vests
1. DISH SOAP AND HOT WATER CAN BE USED TO UNCLOG RIM HOLES
There are many ways to unclog your toilet rim jets if they are blocked, which is common with slow-flushing toilets. Dishwashing soap is one. How do you tell if your toilet rim holes have become clogged? Move a small mirror around under the toilet bowl rim. You should be able to see how clogged they are.
Heat water in a large container and pour it slowly into the toilet bowl. Hot water can cause cracking in the bowl so be careful. It is important to pour the water slowly to avoid sudden expansion. Hot water is more efficient than cold water in dissolving and washing out the minerals in your drain. Place the lid of the toilet tank and add about 1/2-1 cup of dish soap to the overflow tube. The overflow tube is connected directly to the toilet rim holes. Then, wait for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before flushing the toilet.
2. CLEAN THE SIPHON JET WITH VINEGAR
Hot vinegar can be used in place of dish soap if it doesn’t work. Vinegar, which is milder than acid, is more effective at dissolving mineral deposits. Boil about one cup of vinegar, and then slowly pour it through the toilet overflow tube.
Hot vinegar will dissolve any minerals that have clogged the siphon jet and rim holes. To remove any water from the bottom of your bowl before pouring the vinegar, you can use a sponge. The vinegar will not clog the trap and rim jets. Then, wait for 10 to 15 mins before flushing the toilet. Although muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) can be substituted for vinegar, we recommend that you first try dish soap or vinegar. Make it a habit of putting a little dish soap or vinegar into the overflow tube every now and again to prevent the rims from clogging. If you failed to unclog a toilet. so you should go for a clog free toilet. this is the best solution.
3. PLUNGE THE TOILET
It is possible that the toilet drain is partially blocked if the water drains quickly from the tank but takes longer to drain. Most toilets can be unclogged with a toilet plunger. Make sure you have a good toilet plunger to cover the outlet. Begin by gently squeezing the air out, then push the plunger down vigorously 15-20 times. Check to see if the toilet flushes faster and more powerfully. You will need to replace your toilet auger if the toilet is not flushing water quickly.
4. SNAKE THE TOILET
The auger can pull out a towel or soap bar that is clogging your toilet and will break down the soap. An ordinary auger can reach 3 to 6 feet in length. You should be careful not to scratch the toilet bowl when using the toilet auger. Protect the head at all costs.
5. ADJUST THE LIFT CHAIN
The toilet tank lid should be removed and placed in a secure place so it doesn’t fall off or crack. Push the toilet handle down to check that the flapper is fully lifted. The flapper of the toilet should be lifted to a nearly vertical position.
You will need to reduce the length of your lift chain if the flapper doesn’t lift off as intended. To get the right length lift chain, it may take 2 to 3 times. A toilet lift should allow for a half inch of slack. While you are at it, ensure that the toilet handles arm moves freely within the tank and isn’t touching anything.
6. AMOUNT OF THE TOILET TANK WATER LEVEL.
A float cup or a ball will be found in your toilet tank. The float ball connects to the toilet fill via an arm flotation, while the cup is attached to the fill valve’s body.
The fill valve connects to the water supply line at the tank’s bottom and is responsible for filling up the tank after every flush. The fill valve is controlled by a toilet float, which controls the opening and closing of the toilet tank’s water supply line. If your toilet float isn’t adjusted correctly, the tank water level will drop below the recommended level. This can lead to a slow and weak flushing toilet.
7. CLEAN THE SIPHON JET & RIM HOLES OF THE TOILET SIPHON JETS
The toilet bowl is filled with water when you flush it. This happens through holes in the rim, or via a siphon jet located at the bottom of your bowl facing the drain. These holes/jets can become blocked by calcium and mineral deposits. The bowl cannot be filled with flush water, so it will not work as hard or as pressure is intended. This can lead to a slow flushing toilet. The toilet drain can become clogged after a while.
8. UNCLOG THE VENUE STACK
If your toilet flushes slowly or gurgles occasionally, it is likely that the vent or drain is blocked. The air from the vent stack is escaping through the water in the bottom of your toilet, causing gurgling.
With a garden hose in your hand, climb up to the roof of your home using a ladder. Ask someone to open the water supply, and then direct it into the vent. Whatever is blocking the toilet will fall to the ground and go down the drain because of its weight. Your toilet will flush more quickly and stronger when the air is free-flowing from the vent stack.
CONCLUSION
Slow-flushing toilets can be frustrating. However, if you are able to fix them in a matter of minutes you will not have to go through the hassle again. In most cases, a slow-flooding toilet can be fixed with dish soap or vinegar. A modern, powerful flushing device could be the best thing for an old toilet.
