Toilets are present in every household and establishment but usually the last thing people give attention to, not until it starts to act up. When one fails to function, more toilet flush problems are sure to follow.
This problem can occur even with a high-capacity toilet. If such complications happen, your immediate response is to call a plumber. Still, there’s no need for that since there are better ways to achieve a clean toilet by yourself.
Here are the steps on how to make a toilet flush better.
Table of Contents
Ways to Make Toilet Flush Better
1. Check for possible clogs
Materials needed:
- Plunger
- A bucket of hot water and soap
Toilet flushes slowly and incompletely when clogged. To address this problem, plunge the toilet in and out vigorously with a rubber flange or a plumber’s snake. This can loosen up the blockage in the trap, which will allow the toilet to flush faster, but if the plunger method fails, the hot water and soap will surely do the trick.
- Step 1: While waiting for the water to heat up, squirt a little amount of soap– maybe dish soap, hand soap, or even shampoo– into the toilet bowl. This will serve as the lubricant.
- Step 2: After a few minutes, pour the bucket of hot water– not boiling water, you want to improve toilet flush performance without cracking your bowl.
The hot water and the soap will help any buildups inside the trap break, which will get the toilet to flush better.
- Step 3: Remove the water by plunging the toilet again or by flushing it.
For more the reason and details, click here to learn more about the most common reason why toilet flushing is slow.
2. See if the water level in toilet cistern is enough
Be sure to maintain the water level by adjusting toilet flush volume. Open the cistern by removing its lid and make sure that the water level in the tank is even with the designated line.
If it is too low, the toilet will lack flush pressure and won’t be able to wash away the contents completely. On the other hand, the water will continuously flow if it is too high.
To resolve this issue, raise the cistern water level to 1 inch just under the overflow tube.
Locate the adjustment screw on the ball valve and turn it clockwise to raise and counterclockwise to lower the cistern water level.
3. Clean the rim jet holes and siphon jet
Materials needed:
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Brush
- A piece of wire hanger (optional)
- Protective gear such as rubber gloves
- Duct tape
Another reason the toilet doesn’t flush with force is a clog in the rim jet holes and siphon jet. Therefore, in order to increase flushing power, you can prevent calcium build-up without using harmful chemicals by doing the process below.
But before you start everything, be sure to gear yourself up to avoid any undesirable incidents.
- Step 1: Turn off the water supply and empty the toilet tank by flushing the water. You can use a big towel to absorb all the water to ensure the toilet bowl is empty.
This will make sure that the vinegar will not be flushed away.
- Step 2: For tidy and safe cleaning up, you can bring out the duct tape to seal off the openings in the rim jets.
- Step 3: Pour the vinegar into the siphon jet and spray the rim, including the holes.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then slowly add baking soda.
When mixed, vinegar and baking soda form a chemical reaction that looks sort of like an eruption– this reaction can help clear the clogs that your toilet might have, which will improve toilet flush strength.
- Step 4: Scrub the rim and siphon jet using a brush to remove the stains completely.
You can also clean the rim jet holes using a wire hanger. Cut the wire hanger about six inches long and work it inside and out of the holes.
- Step 5: Finally, turn the water on and watch if the toilets get more flushing power by doing so.
4. Adjust flapper
Toilet flapper is responsible for the amount of water released to the bowl as it provides the seal for the flush valve.
If the chain is long enough, the flapper will close on time, providing a good flush. If the chain is too short, the flapper will not seal.
When a toilet does not flush without holding the handle down, it means that the flapper closes too fast. Thus, it needs to be adjusted. However, if your toilet has a worn-out flapper, leaking will take place, so replacement is a must.
If adjustments are made, be sure to try flushing to know the flush’ pressure.
FAQs
What causes a toilet to have a weak flush?
Clog that is caused by calcium and other components in the trap is the top reason why your toilet’s flush is not too strong. It might also be the water level in the tank and bowl.
Other reasons why your toilet leaves paper after flush might include blocked– or even partially– rim jet holes and siphon jets or an issue with the toilet’s flapper and chain.
Can you increase toilet flush pressure?
A high flow toilet is obviously more efficient to use, but after age of usage, problems may develop. If this happens, you can still increase toilet flush power by setting the water level inside the tank to the proper level and keeping the trap, rim holes, and siphon jet free from mineral build-ups which will eventually lead to blockage.
Conclusion
There are different brands of toilets but even if you’re someone who always chooses the one which flush harder and has the best toilet power flush conversion kit, there is still a possibility that you might encounter a problem in the long run.
Regardless of what type the toilet is, you cannot avoid trouble; that’s why you have to know what to do if something unexpected happens. If you want an answer on how to make a toilet flush better, the key is to adjust flush on toilet and keep it unclogged.
I’m Paulk Webb, and I work as a writer for Saveourwaterrebates. I’m happy to put in the time and effort to conduct market research to identify the most pressing issues faced by households concerning their plumbing. Feel free to check out our guides to get the most informed recommendations for how to solve your problems.