Why Don't My Toilets Flush All the Way?

If you have a toilet that won't flush completely, it quickly becomes annoying when you need to flush two or maybe three times to fully remove the bowl contents. If this is occurring with your toilet, you can usually peek within your toilet and determine the cause.

Considerations

If it takes you additional flushes to clear the toilet bowl, you should realize the direct costs. This wasted water adds up to a higher water bill. Whatever the problem, it won't go away by itself. You will need to make the necessary adjustments.

Lift Chain

Your tank's chain may have too much slack and doesn't allow the flapper to rise to a sufficient height after you flush. This occurs in tanks equipped with chain-lifted flapper flush valves. Not enough water is allowed to empty from the tank into the bowl before the flapper reseats itself. The metal hook that attaches the chain to the flush lever may be stretched, allowing unnecessary slack in the chain. Unhook the chain from the flush lever. Bend the metal hook or attach it to a hole that's closer to the handle.

Flapper

Your flapper may be deteriorated and not seat properly. Over time, flappers deteriorate due to cleaning products and chemicals used by utility companies that enter the tank. In this case, remove and replace a warped flapper, along with the chain. Shut off the water supply to the toilet first and flush the toilet to remove the water in the tank. Wear rubber gloves when handling the flapper.

Rim Holes

When you flush the toilet, water enters the bowl through the rim holes and siphon jet. The rim holes are under the inside lip of the bowl. Lime deposits may clog these holes and impede the volume of water entering the bowl. It's the volume and velocity of water that creates a proper, full flush. To check whether lime deposits are clogging the holes, hold a pocket mirror under the rim of the bowl. Clear any deposits by straightening out a wire coat hanger and carefully poking the end into each rim hole. Move the hanger back and forth a couple of times in each hole. Insert the hanger end into the siphon jet hole and move the hanger back and forth to remove any deposits.

Tank Water Level

Your tank's water level may not be sufficient to provide enough water into the bowl to completely flush. Most toilets have a water level mark on the rear inside of the tank. A good estimate is that the water level should be about 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube. If your tank has a float ball, bend the float arm up slightly to raise the water level. For a water-intake assembly, pinch the clip attached to the thin metal rod and slide the clip and the cup up the rod to increase the water level. Move the clip up an inch at a time.

References

• True Value: When A Toilet Won't Flush
• Toiletology 101: The Lazy Flush