One of the most nudging toilet problems is the toilet flushing slowly and incompletely. If you’re in a hurry to enter the toilet when someone has just left, you may have to wait for minutes before the toilet flushes completely. Slow flushing is mainly caused by a damaged flapper, low tank water level, or clog.
It requires enough water in the tank and a clear drainpipe without any blockages for a toilet to flush correctly. So, if any of these two is compromised, then your toilet will undoubtedly develop some issues. And the toilet flushing slowly and incompletely can be one of the challenges you’re likely to face.
A toilet that’s flushing slowly can be very frustrating, but it can even make matters worse if not attended to in good time. For instance, it can lead to excessive damage to the toilet.
The good news is that an ordinary homeowner can tackle the most common toilet issues like this. However, the right tools and steps to follow are required to rectify the problem. In this post, we’re going to discuss what causes the toilet to flush slowly and incompletely. Also, we will talk about the procedure for fixing such a problem. Continue reading to find out.
Poor/Weak Flushing Toilet- Quick Fix
- Water Tank Settings
Solution: Rise the water level of the tank
Task Difficulty: Moderate
Required Time: 10-15 Minutes
Repair Type: DIY
Repair Cost: Free
- Mild Clogs
Solution: Unclog the trapway & drain pipe
Task Difficulty: High
Required Time: 20-30 Minutes
Repair Type: Plumber/Pro DIY
Repair Cost: $20-$50
- Hard Water/Mineral Buildup
Solution: Use a water softener
Task Difficulty: Easy
Required Time: 15-20 Minutes
Repair Type: DIY
Repair Cost: $15-$30
- Improper Ventilation
Solution: Ensure enough air in toilet waste lines
Task Difficulty: High
Required Time: 30-40 Minutes
Repair Type: Plumber
Repair Cost: $50-$150
- Damaged Fapper
Solution: Install a new Flapper
Task Difficulty: Moderate
Required Time: 25-30 Minutes
Repair Type: DIY
Repair Cost: $30-$70
Common Causes of a Slow-Flushing Toilet
Common causes of a slow flushing toilet often stem from clogs in the plumbing. The buildup of mineral deposits in the pipes or the toilet’s rim feed holes can restrict water flow, leading to weak flushes. Additionally, a malfunctioning flapper in the tank might not release enough water, and blockages in the sewer line can impede the toilet’s ability to flush properly.
Is your toilet flushing slowly and incompletely?
If your toilet is flushing slowly or you hear a whistling sound, then there is a high chance that your drainpipe is blocked, there isn’t enough water in the toilet tank, or the toilet has an issue.
The first important thing is to find out what’s the problem. Afterward, you can decide to fix the problem yourself or hire a professional plumber to tackle the problem if it’s complicated. For instance, if the drainpipe has a problem, you may have to call a professional plumber.
Here are a few things that may cause your toilet to flush slowly and incompletely:
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The low water level in the tank
For a toilet to flush correctly, the toilet tank must have the recommended amount of water to clear waste in the bowl and push it down the drain. Hence, if the water level in the toilet tank is low, the toilet may flush slowly and incompletely.
Related article: Need a compact toilet? Check the Galba Small Toilet Review
Having the right amount of water level in the tank is crucial as it assists in delivering a powerful flush to form a siphon that pushes waste through the drain. So, if the water in the tank is too low, it can’t create enough pressure to form a powerful flush.
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Blockage or build-up in the drain
Another reason why a toilet flushes slowly and incompletely is because of a blockage in the drain system. Things like debris, clothes, and even wipes can block the drain and make the toilet flush slowly.
If the drainpipe and drain system are clear, water will flow quickly and smoothly from your toilet. But if there is a blockage, water and waste will flow slowly and even cause serious issues.
In some situations, there may be a problem with the vent or sewerage system that might be causing the toilet to flush slowly and incompletely.
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Mineral or sediment build-up in the toilet rim
If the toilet drain is working fine and the toilet tank has enough water, the issue may be between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl. Inspect the toilet rim and see if it has sediments or mineral deposits blocking some water every time to flush the toilet.
If mineral deposits and sediments develop on the sides of the jet holes, they may eventually block some water and affect the water pressure. However, this is very easy to fix, as we will find out later.
How to fix a toilet that flushes slowly and incompletely
A self-cleaning toilet can help you solve the problem. You can use either use Woodbridge T-008 or Toto Washlet G400 toilets as both have wide fill valves. Before we proceed with how to fix a toilet that flushes slowly and incompletely, it’s crucial to know that you can fix most of these issues on your own. Nonetheless, it would help if you had the right tools and follow the steps we’re about to give you below. But if you find the problem complicated, it’s best to contact a professional plumber to help you out.
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Get rid of a toilet clog.
Toilet clogs are among the main toilet problems. There is a high chance that you’ve had a toilet clog before. If you think that you’ve got a toilet, you don’t have to worry. There are several options through which you can unblock your toilet if it’s clogged. Choose a no-clog toilet so that you don’t experience any clogging issues.
The first and most common way of unclogging a toilet is by using dishwashing liquid and hot water. If this method doesn’t work, try applying baking soda or boric acid in the toilet. If these two methods fail, you can move on to a toilet plunger. This works most of the time, typically, and most bathrooms have it. But if it also fails, you can now resort to using a toilet auger.
If all the above tools fail to unclog your toilet, contact a professional plumber to help you.
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Adjust the water level in the toilet tank
If the problem causing your toilet to flush slowly and poorly is the low water level in the tank, you should adjust it. There are several ways through which you can adjust the water level in the toilet tank. The first method is by adjusting the ball-and-arm float. The second method is by adjusting the cylinder float. And finally, you can change the entire fill valve with a new one.
Related article: Why is My Toilet Water seems Brown?
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Replace a cracked toilet bowl
Sometimes, a toilet tank can crack at the bottom and cause water to leak. If this happens, it may also affect how a toilet flushes. This issue is quite challenging as it can be a daunting task to handle. You can start by sealing the cracked area. However, this may not last long. Secondly, you may decide to replace the entire toilet tank. This is the best alternative. But if you’re not sure about what to do, call a professional plumber to assist you.
Summary
If your toilet flushes slowly and incompletely, don’t panic. Start by discovering why the toilet is behaving that way. It can be due to a low water level in the tank or a blocked drain pipe. No matter the reason, fixing any of these issues is easy and fast. All you require are the right tools and following the proper steps to solve this flushing toilet problem. But if the problem is complicated, such as blockage in the sewerage system, you may need to contact a professional plumber.
Hi, I am Jose S. Franz. Currently, I am working as a professional plumber, and our team offers various plumbing services at an affordable price. After my college education, I completed a vocational certification course in plumbing systems and worked with several construction companies. Since then, I have fixed lots of different toilet models, from older to the latest versions. So I have more than 22 years of experience installing plumbing systems and toilets in both residential and commercial buildings.
