Toilet not flushing: Causes and Quick Fixes

Your toilet flush not working can be a headache. After using your toilet, you press the loo flush button, but the flush won’t work.
The next time you enter your toilet, you meet your last shit staring at you, refusing to drain away. With this, you start looking for another toilet to use, which can be frustrating if you have only one toilet in the home.
When this happens, a few causes can be responsible. Common causes of a toilet commode flush not working include a blockage in the flushing system and a faulty flapper valve, and the good news is that these are what you can fix on your own.
This article shows you how you can fix your toilet that is not flushing using common home tools like pliers and a screwdriver.
There are many reasons why your toilet flush is not working and how you can fix them.

Low Water Supply

The first place to go to when your toilet commode flush refuses to flush is to check the water supply. Your cistern (toilet tank) draws water from your home’s water supply to flush your toilet. If the water supply to the cistern is low, the toilet tank struggles to get water, consequently lacking water to flush your toilet.
Therefore, when your toilet wash flush is not working, you want to ensure that it gets water from the home’s water supply.
Fix:
Check the supply pipe for blockage. Is the water coming from the supply reaching the cistern, or is there a blockage along the way, restricting the flow of water?
You also want to check other taps in the house for water pressure.
If other taps in the house experience low water pressure too, your fear is no longer about your toilet flush but a general problem with your water supply or plumbing system. With this, you will need the service of a qualified plumber to fix the problem.

Low Water Level in the Cistern

The water level in your toilet tank determines if your toilet flushes or not. The flush needs an adequate amount of water to clear the bowl, and if the water in the cistern is not enough, your toilet won’t flush effectively.
To check if your cistern is the culprit behind your toilet not working, open the cistern to check the water level. There is usually a marking that shows the proper adequate water level.
This marking is always around 1 inch below the overflow pipe, and if the water is below this marking, you might be dealing with a stuck valve or faulty fill valve.
Fixes:
Stuck Float:
If the float is stuck and doesn’t move freely, wiggle it to aid free movement.
Fill Valve:
Depending on the issue, you can clean or replace the fill valve. If the valve is clogged with buildups, soak it in limewater for a few minutes. On the other hand, if you notice any signs of damage, it is best to replace the valve instead.

Leaking Cistern

A leaking cistern can prevent your toilet water flush from working. A leaking cistern leaks water from the cistern into the toilet bowl, preventing the cistern from getting filled.
The common culprits behind this issue include a faulty flush valve, a worn-out washer, and a bad seal beneath the flush valve.
Fix:
Add a leak detection dye to the cistern (alternatively, you can use food colouring)
Wait for about 20 minutes to see if the water in your bowl changes colour.
If the colour of the water in your toilet bowl changes to that of the dye, you have a leak in your cistern. The solution to this is to check for a faulty flush valve, washer, or seal and make replacements where necessary.

Loose or Broken Flush Button

If your toilet wash flush is not working, you want to check if your loo flush button is still intact. A disconnected, loose or broken flush button or handle is a common reason why a toilet water flush won’t work.
Fix:
Take off the cistern lid to reveal the flushing mechanism. Inside, you will see the flush button connected to the flush mechanism by a small tube or rod. Fix the issue by reattaching any disconnected parts to restore the flushing mechanism.
The loo flush button is connected to a ring or nut under the cistern lid. If it is not well tightened, twist it to tighten it using your hands.
You will need a replacement flush button if the button is broken or cracked.

Blockages in the Toilet or Pipes

Perhaps your toilet water flush is not working because your toilet is not draining. Instead of the bowl's content to flush and drain, it keeps rising up the bowl. This signals a blockage in the flush toilet pipe.
A blocked toilet occurs when you flush something you shouldn’t flush down the toilet. For example, you would likely experience a blocked flush toilet if you flushed a chunk of paper or sanitary pads down your toilet commode flush.
Fixes
Thankfully, there are a few fixes to reverse a blocked toilet pipe.
Using a Plunger:
A good toilet plunger can help remove items clogging your toilet. Cover the toilet hole with a plunger. Pump the plunger several times to create suction and remove the items in the toilet pipe.
Using a Toilet Auger:
A toilet auger is a flexible drain rod that can break up stubborn blockages in the toilet pipe. It is used where a plunger won’t work.
Note: Avoid fixing a blocked toilet with chemical drain cleaners, as they are capable of damaging your pipes, toilet bowl and tank especially if you own an old system.