- Can You Flush Toilet Seat Covers or Not? - September 15, 2023
- How to Make Sure Gas Stove is Off? – Quick Methods - September 15, 2023
- Can An Air Mattress Burst or Not? – (Little Known Facts!) - September 15, 2023
If you’ve ever had to wait long periods of time for your toilet to flush, you might be wondering how to make a toilet flush faster.
In this article, we’ll show you seven proven methods for making your toilet flush quicker, and we promise that most of them are easy to implement!
You know that it can be a frustrating experience.
Luckily, there are many ways to make your toilet flush faster - many of which are simple tweaks you can make to your everyday lifestyle.
You’ll simply need to clean your toilet drainage, add more water to the toilet tank or fix any faulty parts. A few critical toilet parts can be a headache if not taken care of; the flapper, valve and float.
Why Your Toilet Is Flushing Slowly
Toilet problems can be caused by many different things, from clogged pipes to dirty filters, so it’s important to do a little detective work to determine the problem’s source.
Before diving into the solutions, we’ll need to know the main reasons why your toilet isn’t flashing faster in the first place.
After that, you’ll learn some simple steps you can take to speed it up.
Here are five common causes of slow flushes and how to fix them:
1. Clogged Pipes
One of the most common causes of slow flushes is clogged pipes.
If something has built up over time (like hair or soap residue) and gets stuck in the line, water can’t flow as quickly through it, and the flush takes longer.
To clear a clog, try using a plunger or boiling water to pour down the pipe while blasting it with a vacuum cleaner. If that doesn’t work, call a plumber.
2. Dirty Filters
Another common cause of slow flushes is dirty filters.
Over time, dirt, bacteria, and other debris can build up on the filter and stop water from flowing through it as quickly.
To check if your filter is dirty, turn off the water supply to the toilet and remove the lid.
The filter is likely to clean if you see water running out of the bathroom. If not, you’ll need to replace it.
3. Damaged Flapper Valve
Another common cause of slow flushes is a damaged flapper valve.
This tiny piece of plastic opens and closes as the water flows through the toilet, and if it’s not working correctly, it can cause the toilet to flush slowly.
To fix a damaged flapper valve, you’ll need to take it to a plumber.
4. Dirty Water Supply
If your water supply is dirty, that can also cause slow flushes.
Polluting runoff can get into municipal systems and contaminate the water used for drinking and irrigation, which can slow down the flow of water through toilets.
To test if your water supply is dirty, turn off the main water valve in your house and try flushing the toilet.
If the flush doesn't go down all the way, your water supply may be contaminated.
5. Low Water Pressure
Another common cause of slow flushes is the low water pressure in your home plumbing system.
The pressure needs to be high enough for toilets to work correctly, but if there’s a problem with one of the main valves or pipes in your home, the pressure can be low.
To check your water pressure, turn on the faucet in the bathroom and wait about two minutes for the water to run in the shower and through the drainage system.
Note: If there's a problem with your main valve or pipe, you'll need to call a plumber.
How To Speed Up A Toilet Flush
According to the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), one in three Americans reports having to wait at least two minutes for their toilet to flush.
If you’ve ever had to wait long periods of time for your toilet to flush, there are a few methods on how to make a slow toilet flush faster and speed up the process.
There are a few things you can do to make your toilet flush faster:
Use A Plunger
If you have a plunger, use it to push the water down the drain. This will help get rid of waste more quickly.
It would even be much better if you have a bucket to catch any waste that falls out of the toilet as you use the plunger to push the waste down as far as possible.
A plunger can be a great tool for cleaning out built-up debris in drains and toilet bowls.
Plungers push water and soap down the drain, breaking up clogs and helping to clear congestion quickly.
Once you've pushed down the waste, try flushing, and you'll notice the toilet flushes seamlessly.
Toilet Auger
The reason your toilet isn’t flushing faster could be because waste is clogging deep inside.
A toilet auger is an extra-large tool that helps remove clogs from toilets.
It’s not always necessary, but getting an auger might be the best solution if your bathroom is consistently clogged.
Note: Be sure to use the plunger sparingly, though - too much force can damage it.
Use A De-Scaling Product
Plague build-up happens quickly in just a few years if you live in an area with hard water.
Plaque blocks pipes and toilet components, thereby hindering the free flow of water, hence a slow or weaker flush.
Some toilets require de-scaling in order to prevent the build-up of plaque and other minerals that can slow down the flush process.
Many de-scaling products are available at your local hardware store, or you can purchase them online.
Toilet Flush Enhancer
A power-assist toilet is an amazing way to deal with a toilet that flushes slowly.
The high-pressure system simply increases your toilet’s flushing power, which would otherwise be weak.
If you constantly have to wait for long for your toilet to flush, consider looking at this system.
It’s ideal when you have to deal with hard poop more often.
The flush assist is a revolutionary device that easily fits into most toilet tanks and therefore does not take up too much space.
Add Water or Fix Water Level
Many toilets today still use a toilet float ball. The float ball controls the water level on the toilet tank.
There won’t be enough water to flush when it fails, hence the slow or weak flush.
You can add water to the toilet tank for a faster flush, but this will be a band-aid solution.
If you wear the float ball or adjust it incorrectly, then too much or too little water will go into the tank, leading to an overflow or an empty tank.
Therefore, one way how to make a toilet flush faster is to fix the float ball, which will, in turn, increase the water level in the tank.
Adjusting the ball will let more water into the tank, which can fix a lot of issues.
Here’s how to fix it:
- You have to bend the arm up slightly
- After a few tries, it should work
- Open the taps to allow for filling of the toilet
- If it still doesn’t fill, you may need to replace the float ball
Flapper Trouble
There’s also likely a problem with the flapper or seal. A faulty flapper will lead to a weak flush.
When you flush, the handle lifts a rubber flapper or seal inside the tank.
The purpose of a toilet flapper is to prevent water from running into the toilet when it isn’t in use. Make sure the chain holding it isn’t caught and causing it not to close properly as it could leak.
You may have to replace or shorten the chain from time to time.
If the flapper or seal is damaged, water can leak out of the tank and prevent it from refilling properly, hence a weak flush.
Note: Consequently, if a flapper valve is old or worn out, it may leak due to corrosion.
Final Thought
Finally, one of the quickest ways to make a toilet flush faster is to keep your bathroom clean.
Dirt and bacteria can build up over time and cause the toilet to clog up, slowing down the flow of water through it.
Clean out your sink and bathtub every week or so, and make sure to keep your bathroom clean overall to help keep the plumbing running smoothly.
The above solutions should help you fix the weak flushing toilet, but if the problem persists, it’s time to seek professional help.