5 Reasons Your Toilet Is Not Flushing Fully

Jul 10 2023

Have you ever answered the call of nature, then flushed and saw that the bowl didn’t empty entirely?

Of course, if one flush after the other doesn’t do the trick, it’s easy to go into panic mode.
The odds are that there is a plumbing issue that needs to be addressed, and fast.

A toilet not flushing fully can also fully get on your nerves due to the inconvenience, water wastage, and odour that doesn’t exactly pass as a bathroom air freshener.

When your toilet’s flushing powers fall short, it could be caused by any of the following:

🚽 A Clog In the Toilet, Flange, or Drain
💧 Low Water Level In the Toilet Tank
🧻 A Problem With the Flapper
🚾 Blocked Inlet Holes
🚻 Subpar Toilet Drain Pipe Design

Let’s identify the problem and get your toilet back in tip-top shape in a flash flush!

Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing Fully?

1. A Clog In the Toilet, Flange, or Drain

One of the most common causes of weak toilet flushing is a nasty clog somewhere in the plumbing lines.

A clog will definitely hinder water from fully making its way down the toilet drain. We know what you’re thinking right now: “Can I DIY fix this clog issue?”

Well, yes and no. Depending on the location of the clog, you can either DIY-fix it or will need to call in the experts.

Some of the most common toilet clog culprits include the following:

• Too much toilet paper was flushed down the toilet;
• Unflushable items were flushed;
• The toilet trap is clogged;
• The sewer line is backed up;
• The toilet vent is blocked; and
• Your bathroom is equipped with an older model with low-flush properties.

If your toilet still doesn’t flush after a good plunging session, a professional drain cleaning service is in order.

2. Low Water Level In the Toilet Tank

In some cases, you’re staring, horrified, into a bowl full of content because of a low water level in the toilet tank.

Luckily, this issue can be repaired in no time.

Your toilet requires large volumes of water for a good flush. However, if the water level in the toilet tank is running on a low setting, well, you know what happens.

Remove the lid of the tank to see if the water reaches the mark that manufacturers leave for the optimal water level. Typically, you can find the line one inch below the top part of the overflow tube.

If your toilet is equipped with a float (a large rubber ball device), you could try adjusting the arm of the float ball so that it makes a slight upwards bend. As the position of the float ball rises, the toilet tank gains the ability to accommodate more water.

On the other hand, if your toilet features a floating cup ballcock instead, try adjusting the screw on top of the fill valve by turning it clockwise.

3. A Problem With the Flapper

A toilet flapper is a small rubber seal that covers your toilet tank’s hole. What happens when you flush is that a small chain lifts the flapper to pour the water into the bowl.

When the toilet isn’t actively flushing, it’s the flapper’s job to seal off the hole to prevent water from escaping the tank.

So, a powerful flush is no longer in the cards if the flapper is damaged or worn out.

The easy solution is to call a plumber to replace the flapper.

4. Blocked Inlet Holes

You may not always see the inlet holes, but they’re working hard everytime you hit that flush button.

You’ll find that the toilet’s inlet holes are located under the bowl’s lip. During a flush, water pours out of these holes. To that effect, blocked holes equal no flush. A telltale sign of blocked inlet holes is water that streams straight down instead of diagonally on the sides.

For a DIY fix, use a small mirror to take a good look at the inlet holes. If they are clogged, heat white vinegar and pour it through a funnel into the overflow tube. Let it sit overnight without flushing, then grab a tiny piece of wire to clear the inlet holes.

5. Subpar Toilet Drain Pipe Design

Maybe your toilet has always underperformed in the flushing department, and you finally thought about doing something about it.

Well, if this is the case, it’s most likely attributed to the way the toilet drains were installed or designed. If your toilet pipes lack that sleek, downward slope, well, it’s all downhill from here then.

The best solution to this structural problem is recruiting the help of a professional plumber to inspect the drain pipe system. They can also redesign it as needed.

Regain That Full-Fledged Flush

No one should have to put up with a toilet not flushing fully. To regain that full-fledged flush in your toilet, it’s time to call the specialists.

At 1st Rooter, we offer emergency plumbing services, all day, everyday, 24/7 in the Oakville, Hamilton, and Burlington areas. With over 25 years of experience in the plumbing industry, you can trust our team to solve all your plumbing woes in a quality and cost-effective manner.

Give us a call to book our services today.