How to diagnose and fix toilet problems including not flushing completely, filling slowly, and a stopped up toilet. Why low flow toilets can be a problem.
Fixing Common Toilet Problems
Toilet problems. Everybody has had them at one time or another. Whether it's a stopped up toilet, a constantly running toilet, a toilet that fills slowly, or a toilet that doesn't flush completely, troubleshooting and fixing common toilet problems is a homeowner's must-have skill, as are other plumbing fixes.
Different Toilet Valve Types
There are two different toilet valve types: ballcock fill valve types and float cup fill valve types. The ballcock fill valve is older and not encountered as often as the newer float cup fill valve type. The difference between the two is water supply hardware.
The ballcock uses a ball that floats on the water's surface. The float cup travels vertically on the fill tube. Here are a few types of common toilet problems and how to resolve them.
The Stopped Up Toilet
A stopped up toilet is the most common problem so it's a good place to start. To start with, looking in the bottom of the bowl reveals a round opening. Where this opening disappears from view it takes on an elliptical shape. Logically, that which disappears from sight might become lodged just a couple of inches beyond view.
The basic solution is to use a plunger. Seat the rubber end of it in the bottom of the bowl with the best seal possible. Plunge in and pull back out while retaining the seal. If water splashes out, too much force is being used. The water should soon go down of its own accord.
If the plunger doesn't clear the blockage, a toilet auger should be used. They may be rented.
The Constantly Running Toilet
When the toilet runs constantly, chances are that water is running into the overflow tube because the ballcock or the float cup needs adjustment. The ballcock link has an adjustment clip that can be pressed and lowered. With a float cup type, find the adjustment clip on the side of the float cup.
If this still does not make the toilet stop running, be sure that the refill tube that goes from the fill tube to the overflow tube is just above the overflow tube, not going into it.
The final thing that will make the toilet run constantly is a defective fill valve seal. This will need replacement.
The Slowly Filling Toilet
The most likely culprit when the toilet takes too long to fill is a clogged fill valve tube. Shut off the water supply valve at the wall. Remove the hardware on the top of the tube to gain access to the toilet fill valve tube. Now use a bottle brush or length of stiff wire to clear anything in the tube. Hold a glass over the fill tube and open and close the valve several times to flush out the tube. Reinstall the hardware.
The Toilet that doesn't Flush Completely
This can be a problem with the newer “low flow toilets”. Unfortunately, the effort to save water has backfired when multiple flushes are required. Another problem can be clogged entry into the bowl.
Under the rim of the toilet bowl are a series of entry holes. Clean each one, ensuring that water flows freely. Finally, examine the flapper in the bottom of the toilet. Is it old and rotted? Is it seating properly, Is the chain too long, causing it to hang up? Just replace the flapper and adjust the chain to 1/2” slack.
These toilet troubleshooting and repair tips should solve most toilet malfunctions. Use them and save on service calls from the plumber.
The copyright of the article Fixing Common Toilet Problems in Home Plumbing is owned by Kelly Smith. Permission to republish Fixing Common Toilet Problems in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
water is still running from the float or the black part of the inners??
what can i do to stop this!!
Nov 10, 2008 5:07 AM
Kelly Smith :
From the question, it sounds like an adjustment is needed. The water level
should be lower.
Nov 18, 2008 2:22 PM
Guest :
yes the tank is not refilling after you flush. Causing us to have to fill
th e tank each time
Nov 20, 2008 4:11 AM
Kelly Smith :
Is water flowing from the supply line? That's the first thing to check.
Then, go ahead and just change the fill valve. Install a Fluidmaster. It's
about the best on the market and very inexpensive at Home Depot, about
$7.00, I think.
Nov 20, 2008 4:29 PM
Guest :
the tank empties but all the waterndoes not leave the bowl
Nov 22, 2008 10:50 AM
Guest :
My toilet tank will not fill. The water simply doesn't come on once the
tank is emptied. I have replaced the fill valve seal and that did not do
the trick. It looks like there is NO water coming up through the line.
Nov 22, 2008 12:04 PM
Kelly Smith :
You'll have to work back to find out where the problem is. Start by closing
the supply valve and unscrewing the supply line from the bottom of the
supply valve. Slowly open the supply valve to see if you've got flow. If
not, close the supply valve and remove the supply line. Open the supply
valve slightly again. Getting flow? If so, the supply line was the problem;
replace it. Otherwise, the blockage is higher up the line. Keep going back,
one element at a time until you find the problem.
Nov 24, 2008 5:13 PM
Guest :
My commode seems to work fine except the bowl does not fill up very much.
The tank fills to the proper level. Any ideas?
Nov 26, 2008 7:50 AM
Kelly Smith :
Is the fill tube properly connected to the overflow? Check that first.
Nov 29, 2008 11:29 AM
Guest :
I have a problem with overflow, water is running out of it when me and my
partner are at work. But at weekends this stop because we are using more
water. Can I reduce the water pressure and how?
Dec 2, 2008 4:33 AM
Kelly Smith :
The city sets the water pressure, but that's not really your problem - even
if you lowered the pressure, you would just have a slower overflow
problem.
Your best bet is just to change out the entire fill
valve. The Fluidmaster is the one I like, it's under $10, and properly
adjusted, should solve all your problems.
Change the flapper
while you're at it.
Dec 6, 2008 7:48 AM
Guest :
Commode rocks back and forth; is the floor not level or the commode not
level?
Dec 19, 2008 1:06 PM
Guest :
my toilet flushes good. stops Then it takes a while to fill up again
Dec 24, 2008 11:43 AM
Guest :
when anybody goes number 2 or puts toilet paper in the toilet it gets
clogged so i have to plunge it and its quite embarrassing when i have
quests over..how can i fix this
Dec 25, 2008 8:29 AM
Kelly Smith :
It sounds like you have a partial obstruction. Use a toilet auger (also
called a closet auger) to clear it. Then it should flow freely.
Jan 4, 2009 8:31 AM
Guest :
When I flush one commode, bubbles come up in a second commode that is
closer to the septic tank. Also, sometime the second commode does not flush
properly and I have to use a plunger. I have used a short toilet auger on
the second commode when it doesn't flush properly. It seems to work for a
while, then it goes back to its old trick.
Jan 4, 2009 5:33 PM
Guest :
I have a low flow toilet, on which I just replaced the filler valve. The
problem is I cannot get the float set so that it is able to shut the water
off when the tank is full. The overflow tube is shorter than the fill
valve assembly. There also does not seem to be enough room in the tank for
the flush lever and the float to not run into eachother. Can I purchase a
taller overflow tube? I dont think the float bar can be bent any more
severely than it is!
Jan 5, 2009 7:08 PM
Kelly Smith :
Have you tried installing a Flushmaster? It's the fill valve pictured above
at the bottom of the article. It costs less than $10 and it gets away from
having to deal with old fashioned floats and the adjustment is much easier.
Jan 7, 2009 2:23 PM
Guest :
hey mi loo doesn't flush well from anterior region? are holes clogged? whet
should i do? even from posterior holes, it doesn't flush forcefully? what
can i do? can i clean holes of commode? if yes, how & with what so my
commode can flush better from anterior region?
Jan 12, 2009 1:13 PM
Guest :
My toilet will not empty completely when flushed unless I add a glass of
water as soon as I flush it. I have unplugged all the holes around the
rim,(yes, some of them had a calcium deposit partially plugging the hole)
but; I still have the same problem when I flush. I checked the flapper in
the tank, and also the water flow. Both seem to be okay. What can I try
next? Also, is there anything I can add to the water in the tank to reduce
calcium buildup?
Jan 12, 2009 6:12 PM
Guest :
The water to the tank does not quit running in my toilet. I have lifted
the float all the way to the top and it still does not stop. It does not
drain into the bowl, but continually runs into the tank. The float does
not seem to be stopping the water, what can I do?
Jan 12, 2009 6:17 PM
Guest :
The water does not stop running into my tank. It does not run into the
bowl. Manually lifting the float does not stop the water from running.
What is wrong and what can I do?
Jan 13, 2009 8:50 AM
Kelly Smith :
NOT FLUSHING COMPLETELY: Have you tried removing the tank from the bowl and
checking for obstructions? This may be the problem. Try that and replace
the gasket and bolts.
Jan 13, 2009 8:54 AM
Kelly Smith :
CONTINUALLY RUNNING: The easiest solution is to just replace the old valve
assembly with a Flushmaster float cup fill valve and flap. Just adjust it
to the proper water level and you're good to go.
Jan 20, 2009 6:47 PM
Guest :
water keeps running in the toilet bowl even after the toilet is finished
fushing and the tank is full at the proper level. why would this happen! i
have replaced the flapper and the float with new ones and te problem is the
same. please help!
Jan 31, 2009 3:09 PM
Guest :
My toilet would take a long time to fill. Now, no water comes from the bowl
refill tube at all. What is wrong with it and is this something that an
average person can fix?
Feb 1, 2009 8:25 AM
Kelly Smith :
You may have a blockage in the supply line. Turn off the valve at the wall
and unscrew the supply line at the base of the tank. Slooooowly open the
valve just a bit with the end of the supply line in a container to make
sure you are getting water flow.
If you are, replace the valve
assembly (see photo above). If there's no water, remove the supply line and
make sure it is clear.
Feb 2, 2009 7:43 AM
Guest :
I have a kohler toilet that was installed in 2000. We have had trouble off
and on since installed where it plugs up on flushing waste. It appears to
be in the toilet trap itself. I have even removed the toilet and checked
the sewer line and found no cause. Looks to me like the trap cavity they
manufacture is quite abit smaller than the 4" sewer line. Is there a
better or more efficient toilet that wouild work better?
Feb 8, 2009 11:22 AM
Guest :
Out of the blue the toilet will suddenly start running for a couple of
seconds then stop. Sounds like it could be topping up the water level? Ideas??
Feb 8, 2009 2:11 PM
Guest :
my toilet bowl fills instead of draining and when it is plunged, it will
dump quickly but not refill, even when water is poured in
Feb 9, 2009 4:47 AM
Guest :
we have a push button toilet.when pressed, water is still running in
bowl.When top is lifted off the bit inside is still down and needs popped
up.It is happening to all toilets in the street. They are less than 2 years
old.
Feb 11, 2009 10:53 AM
Guest :
We have rust marks dripping from the screws in our tank. Does the toilet
need to be replaced?
Feb 12, 2009 6:53 PM
Guest :
I have the fill cup float. I have removed the top of it as I was trying to
adjust it. How can I get the pressure to resume. My toilet won't quit
running.
Feb 20, 2009 2:37 PM
Guest :
my toilet is full of stuff... i let it go for a few days, and when i tried
to flush it,. it did not go down, and then overflowed with the most
disgusting stuff ever.. (3 day old waste water).. now when i go to flush
it, it will go down some but instnatly start filling back up.... diagnosis
anyone?
Feb 24, 2009 7:07 PM
Guest :
after I push the lever down the toilet starts to flush and then the flapper
falls down and the tank starts to fill. In order to flush the toilet I have
to hold the handle down for a few seconds in order for the bowl and tank to
empty. What do i do to fix this? I have replaced the handle and the
flapper.
Feb 24, 2009 8:33 PM
Guest :
when I flush my toilet the water rises a little bit and then slowly goes
down but with no force. what should I do?
Feb 27, 2009 8:21 PM
Guest :
my toilet makes a loud churning and gushing uneven water flow sound is the
best i can describe it. i don't know if this is a toilet problem or a well
pump problem but my sink faucets and shower seem fine. any ideas?
Feb 28, 2009 12:50 AM
Guest :
some water bubble came up in my toilet every several minutes, and when I
flushed it, water filling up more than usual, even almost overfilled the
bowl. what should I do?
Feb 28, 2009 7:22 PM
Guest :
When you flush the toilet, the water will come to the top and then slowly
go back down all the way out and then the new water will come back in but
not the usual amount. This does not happen everytime you flush just
sporadically. When I take the top off, it looks like the water is not
coming all the way up in the back. I think that may be caused by the big
ball that is in there, but would that cause the water in the commode to
come up to the top. What can I do to get this fixed?
Mar 2, 2009 8:31 AM
Guest :
just got home from a weekend away & our toilet seems to be angry at us
& possibly feeling neglect? i had to flush it 4 times until everything
went down & then the water level was extremely low. after a final trip
to the bathroom for the night & one more flush, the water level became
extremely high. it sat overnight & first thing this morning, the water
level was normal. another flush & now the level is extremely high &
the toilet isn't draining/flushing & taunting with it's 'i'd like to
overflow' water level. any suggestions????
Mar 2, 2009 10:57 AM
Kelly Smith :
It sounds like your fill valve is the culprit; some debris in there
clogging it up? What I would do is just replace the whole valve with a
Fluidmaster. They're under $10 at Home Depot, which in my mind, is easier
than the frustration of troubleshooting.
Mar 12, 2009 10:46 AM
Guest :
Toilet will flush (run water) for just a few seconds without being manually
flushed. Lying in bed, I can hear it run for 3-4 seconds then stop. What's
up?
Mar 13, 2009 10:53 AM
Guest :
My toilet is leaking atthe baseof the tank where the house connects on the
outside. Is this an easy fix and if so how do I go about doing it?
Mar 18, 2009 6:48 AM
Kelly Smith :
There is a gasket between the tank and the bowl. Inside the tank are two
bolts that secure it to the tank. Replace the two bolts and the gasket.
Mar 27, 2009 12:52 PM
Guest :
My toilet is stopped up. I have tried to do a water flush,snake the
toilet,and nothing, it is still backing up. What can I do?
Mar 28, 2009 9:03 AM
Guest :
I shut off the main water line for some sprinkler work. Turned it back
on and now the toilets, yes both, will not fill, no water, and one sink
runs very slow, cold water only, all the other facuets, showers, etc work
just fine. What's up and how do I fix it
Mar 29, 2009 3:18 PM
Kelly Smith :
Stopped up toilet: it sounds like the blockage is further down the line.
You might have to get a professional company with a longer snake to handle
this.
Mar 29, 2009 3:23 PM
Kelly Smith :
Toilets won't fill: It sounds like the toilets and other problem fixtures
share a supply line. Many times when the water gets turned off and back on,
some sediment or scale comes loose and creates a plug. Is there any way to
trace the line back? Sometimes banging on the pipe will loosen it up, or
turning the water off and on a few times.
Apr 2, 2009 6:44 PM
Guest :
The handle of my Kohler toilet does not go back to its original position
after being flushed. I have to turn it back up manually. In the mean time
I can hear the tank continually filling. It stops when I turn the handle
back up manually.
Apr 6, 2009 12:33 PM
Guest :
I have a very angry sounding toilet (about five years old)! Some have
called this sound "water hammer". A new float valve was fitted
but to no avail. It doesn't make the angry growling/banging sound all the
time - it can go a few days without making the sound. When it does start I
press the float valve down until the water fills up higher. However, the
water then goes down and it tends to start again. Have also tried
adjusting the isolating valve. Any suggestions welcomed!! Thank you.
May 14, 2009 9:53 PM
Guest :
Toilet bowl hold very litter water after flush. Why?
May 14, 2009 9:55 PM
Guest :
Toilet bowl hold very litter water after flush. Why?
May 16, 2009 8:28 PM
Guest :
When I flush my toilet the bowl fills fast and swirls but has no suction.
The water drians back down pretty fast, so I dont think there is anything
blocking the line.
Jun 15, 2009 8:43 PM
Guest :
My toilet is flushing weakly, the tank fills back up normally, and then the
water level of the bowl drops down to nothing. What could that mean?
Jun 22, 2009 5:27 AM
Guest :
I have a stopped up toilet. When I plunged it, rather than the water going
down more water started flowing in and going over the top of the bowl . . .
we ended up with an inch or more of water on the bathroom floor. Finally
just turned the water supply to the toilet off. What should I do?
Jun 23, 2009 4:20 AM
Kelly Smith :
If the plunger didn't work, the best route is to get a toilet auger. It's a
special kind of toilet snake. You can generally find them at Home Depot.
Jun 28, 2009 2:08 PM
Guest :
thanks!me and my wife have followed the directions on the part of slowly
filling toilet,it solved the problem!
Jun 30, 2009 2:59 PM
Guest :
I recently replaced the flap in my toilet. The flap is gettin stuck open
and not closing. I need to lift the lid and push the flap down. Do I need
to replace the flap again?
Jun 30, 2009 3:14 PM
Kelly Smith :
It sounds like either you're not getting a good flapper seal or the chain
length is not optimized. Changing the flapper is cheap, and
clearing/smoothing the seal area is free!
Jun 30, 2009 4:51 PM
Guest :
I recently replaced the flap in my toilet. The flap is gettin stuck open
and not closing. I need to lift the lid and push the flap down. Do I need
to replace the flap again?
Jul 2, 2009 7:25 AM
Kelly Smith :
If the flapper is new and the right size, perhaps there's something on the
tank holding it up?
But flappers are cheap; I would just replace
it. The same thing happened to me once and I just used a different brand.
They looked the same but only one worked. What a mystery.
Jul 2, 2009 12:49 PM
Guest :
When I flush one commode, bubbles come up in a second commode that is
closer to the septic tank. Also, you can hear the bubbling in the sinks and
all the lines. I replaced the wax ring and while that toilet was off the
floor the other toliet flushed fine, but when I put the toilet back in its
place the one toilet doesn't want to flush again. I have to hold the handle
until all the water in the tank is gone in order for it to flush (most of
the way), so I replaced one toilet and it still does the improper flushing.
I have used a snake in the outside pipes and a plunger, Please help me to
figure out my toilet problem.
Jul 3, 2009 6:21 PM
Guest :
My toilet doesnt flush properly for months. I've tried plunging and got the
small snake and that didnt work.Today I got the 50 foot electric snake and
still the water just doesnt flush and fills up to the top almost
overflowing. Should I try getting the 50 foot extention on it and see if
that works or is there something else I could also check?
Jul 4, 2009 8:42 AM
Kelly Smith :
If you've already used the 50 foot snake, the problem is farther downline;
it must be a sewer problem.
Jul 10, 2009 10:32 AM
Guest :
My low flow toilet flushs and refills correctly but over the next hour or
so the water level in the bowl drops to almost nothing. What causes this?
Jul 10, 2009 10:49 AM
Kelly Smith :
Chances are that you have a blockage in your vent. The one that sticks out
of the roof? When you flush the toilet it creates a vacuum in the system.
The vent is supposed to relieve it. If there is a blockage, the system
looks for the closest relief. Sucking the water out of the toilet is a
common place. Physics. Learn it, love it, live it.
Jul 12, 2009 10:36 PM
Guest :
Toilet will flush (run water) for just a few seconds without being manually
flushed. Lying in bed, I can hear it run for 3-4 seconds then stop. What's
up? After it runs I can hear it dripping for awhile longer, but I think
this happens in the tank only, as the water level in the bowl stays the
same. Then it stops and repeats the whole cycle again fifteen or twenty
minutes later...all day and all night. Can you help?
Jul 15, 2009 5:53 AM
Kelly Smith :
You can try adjusting the fill valve. Also check that the flapper is
seating properly.
Jul 17, 2009 3:08 PM
Guest :
hey when i flush my toilet it fills but the water doesnt go down and after
awhile the water goes down slowly and father then its suppost to can you
help me?
Jul 21, 2009 1:31 PM
Kelly Smith :
The first thing I would do is check the vent pipe on the roof for a
blockage. If it gets blocked up it creates a suction on the water in the
bowl, causing it to slowly empty.
Jul 23, 2009 9:41 AM
Guest :
I have 2 toilets on the 2nd floor. One doesn't flush properly. All the
internal parts work right and it will evently work if you flush it multiple
times in a row. I thought it may be a case of bad venting but the other
toliet works perfectly. Am I right for thinking this, any other
suggestions?
Jul 31, 2009 9:01 PM
Guest :
toilet flushes but won't go all the way down, removed and got snake all the
way through, reinstalled but same issue. any ideas?
Sep 6, 2009 11:55 AM
Guest :
My toilet flushes competely one time, but doesn't flush the next. It
alternates each time. When it does flush completely the bowl is fills
completely, but the next time the bowl doesn't fill completely. I've
checked the tank and the tank fills the same each time. Any idea what the
problem could be?
Sep 20, 2009 11:02 AM
Guest :
The handle on my commode always sticks. I Have to lift handle for it to
fill without continually running. What to do?
Sep 29, 2009 10:12 PM
Guest :
I have to hold down the flush lever a few seconds to get the flushing cycle
to work. If I just press the lever down and release the flapper valve
doesn't let enough water in to get the flush cycle to start. What can I
do? Is it the flapper, clogged holes, or the flush lever itself?
Sep 30, 2009 9:32 AM
Kelly Smith :
My guess is that the flapper is at fault. They are designed to hold some
air in that lower pocket so it will "float" down as the water
empties completely.
If it has water in it, it will settle too
quickly.
Oct 24, 2009 7:12 PM
Guest :
i sent a question concerning a problem a few days ago, I thought this web
site would help with issues. I also noticed that the last date posted is
Sept 30th 2009, today is October 23 2009. Are you on vacation. I could
really use the trouble shooting. I sent the note about the backing up in
the tub while washing clothes and having 3 floors, 3 full baths and the one
we are having trouble with is the one on the ground floor. Today I ran a
gallon of stuff, recommended to let stand for 7-8 hours before using septic
system, which we did. I bought an auger, used it in the toilet and still
the toilet will not drain down correctly. I really could use the help, if
you are here to really help home owners. Thanks
Oct 25, 2009 2:10 AM
Kelly Smith :
You could try running a snake through your drains, beginning at the top
level and working your way down. Also, be sure that your vents (stink
pipes) aren't blocked up.
Oct 26, 2009 10:42 AM
Guest :
My Toilet has not sucking power left when flushing, what could this be?
Oct 27, 2009 7:10 AM
Kelly Smith :
Check the flapper, make sure the holes in the rim of the bowl (where it
fills) are clear, and be sure the stack (stink pipe that comes rises out
through the home's roof is not clogged.
Finally, there may be a
partial obstruction in the drain pipe. Use a toilet auger or a plunger.
Oct 28, 2009 9:55 AM
Guest :
My tank doesn't fill up at all but sounds like it's running. I checked the
water line coming in and it's clear. The bathtub in this same bathroon
drains very slowly. Is this a clog? Thanks!
Oct 28, 2009 10:51 AM
Kelly Smith :
It sounds like it might be a problem with the fill valve. A new one
(Fluidmaster) is under $10 at Home Depot. It's about a 10 minute fix.
Oct 29, 2009 4:18 PM
Guest :
I have gotten a toilet cleaning tablet that has gone down into the bowl
fill area past the flapper valve. In other words, it went past the valve
and into the bowl area where the water comes in. Any ideas on how to get
this broken up and out? I have tried an auger, but it just doesn't do the
trick.
Oct 29, 2009 4:25 PM
Guest :
I have gotten a toilet cleaning tablet that has gone down into the bowl
fill area past the flapper valve. In other words, it went past the valve
and into the bowl area where the water comes in. Any ideas on how to get
this broken up and out? I have tried an auger, but it just doesn't do the
trick.
Oct 30, 2009 8:19 AM
Kelly Smith :
It went down the hole that the flapper closes on? If it's not messing up
operations, why not just let it dissolve away?
