My toilet is not flushing!

If your toilet won’t flush, it’s enough to make most people feel down in the dumps. Instead of panicking, there are a few simple checks and fixes you can try to get your toilet working again.

If your toilet won’t flush, be sure to watch the video below and read the rest of our helpful guide.

Is the rest of your plumbing system working properly?

Turn on your taps and leave them running for a minute or so. Does water come out of them properly? If your home’s internal plumbing supply is completely shut off, check that your stopcock is open, and if it is, ask your neighbours if they are receiving water. If your stopcock won’t stop leaking, read our helpful guide here. If your neighbours aren’t receiving any water, then contact your utility suppliers; and if they are, contact a plumber or give us a call on our 24/7 hotline.

Lift the cistern and peek inside

Toilet technology has not advanced significantly in the last century, and you may be able to figure out why the toilet won’t flush just by taking a quick peek into the cistern.

If there is water in the cistern

Check the flapper valve, which is located at the bottom of the tank. This valve opens up to allow water to empty from the cistern and flow into the toilet bowl. Pull the flapper valve up and see whether water flows from the cistern; if it does, then it is likely that your toilet is not flushing because the flapper valve arm or the lift chain connecting this arm to the flush mechanism is broken. Alternatively, the chain may be too slack; you can manually tighten this.

You should also check the float to make sure it is rising high enough to close the fill valve. If it is not, the float rod may be broken, the float itself may be leaking, or something may be obstructing the float. Clear the obstruction or replace the broken item.

There may be a clog somewhere in your system or in one of the valves. Manually clean the toilet cistern and valves, and monitor the toilet flush.

If there is no water in the cistern

Make sure the valve that feeds the cistern is open; this can be found behind the toilet.

Check the float ball to see if it is leaking, if the float rod is broken, or if it has gotten stuck. If this is the case, remove any obstructions and replace the float or float rod if necessary.

Check the flapper to make sure the connection between the flapper valve, valve arm, and lift chain works properly, and repair or replace the defective item if you notice any problems. Remember that a lift chain should be slightly slack; if it is too tight, the toilet won’t stop running, and if it is too slack, the toilet will not flush.

Other possible problems

Broken toilet flush handle

Over time, toilet flush handles can become loose and can stop connecting with the lift chain and flapper valve. You may need to tighten the mounting nut that connects the flush handle to the toilet. Alternatively, the handle may be too tight or may have become clogged up with limescale and debris – if this is the case, remove the handle and give it a good clean.

Blockages

Some toilets will not flush when they are blocked. Give the toilet a good plunge, and consider buying some toilet unblocker to pour down it. Read our advice about how to unblock a toilet for more information.

No success? No problem.

If the above solutions don’t work, contacting a professional plumber is your best option. A qualified expert will be able to assess the problem, provide an effective fix, and help you avoid further damage or expenses.

There could be a number of reasons for your plumbing problems, so it’s better to trust the professionals. After all, attempting to fix it yourself could lead to bigger issues, costing more in the long run.