Toilets that have been in use for some time can develop a lazy or weak toilet flush or just does not flush properly. It is quite common for minerals such as calcium and lime, along with debris particles such as rust to build up in the rim feed and jet holes of the toilet bowl.
Toilets suffer from a lack of flushing power because your rim jets, waste pipe, or siphon jet could be clogged. The water levels in your tank or bowl could also be too low. If your toilet has a weak flush, you may need to adjust the system and clear the blockage to fix the water level.
Blockages in the Rim Holes
The rim holes are small openings located around the upper edge of the toilet bowl, where water flows out during a flush. Over time, these holes can become clogged with mineral deposits, dirt, or debris, reducing water flow and making it more difficult for the toilet to flush effectively.
The toilet tank fill tube may be damaged or incorrectly positioned, preventing the water level from reaching its proper level. Position the fill tube so water is flowing into the overflow tube (the open pipe near the center of the tank). If this doesn't fix the problem, replace the fill tube.
Check the water level:
This cause by far the most common reason for slow flushing toilets. If the water in the tank is not up to the recommended level, you may have poor flushing power.
Make your own drain cleaner by pouring one cup of baking soda and two cups of vinegar into the toilet and adding a half gallon of hot water. Dish soap can also help loosen some obstructions. When using either method, allow the solution to sit overnight and then flush the toilet to see if the obstruction has cleared.
It is quite common for minerals such as calcium and lime, along with debris particles such as rust to build up in the rim feed and jet holes of the toilet bowl. Over time, these deposits restrict and block water from flowing into the toilet bowl which will cause a weak or incomplete flush.
Causes for a Gurgling Toilet
Toilets can gurgle or bubble when there is negative air pressure in the drain pipes. The negative air pressure can create an air vacuum or air block. When you flush the toilet, this air has to go somewhere, so it comes up the drain pipe and is released in the toilet.
Rim jets are small holes located underneath the toilet's rim that allow water to flow into the bowl during a flush. Over time, mineral deposits, bacteria, and debris can clog these jets, reducing water flow and flushing power.
How to Tell if Your Toilet is Clogged. Signs that your toilet (or sewer line) is blocked include: The water does not flush properly, stays in the bowl for long periods or ends up overflowing over the top of the bowl. When the toilet is flushed, water starts to gurgle up in your shower or bathtub drain.
One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.
If your toilet won't flush and it's not clogged, it could be that the tank has too little water. After every flush, you should hear the sound of water filling your toilet tank back up.
Will a toilet eventually unblock? Depending on the type of blockage a toilet can eventually unclog itself. Toilet paper may start to break down as the toilet is flushed.
Remove Debris & Grime from Flush Holes
We also recommend cleaning your toilet bowl's flush holes and siphon jets (located just below the inner rim). The holes release water from the tank to help flush wastewater down the drain. Like your tank, mineral deposits can clog siphon jets.
Pour about half a cup of baking soda into your clogged toilet and wait for a few minutes. Then, carefully pour in two cups of vinegar. The reaction between the base (baking soda) and the acid (vinegar) should be apparent very quickly.
Use a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Let it sit about five minutes in the overflow tube, then flush the toilet. Then put on some gloves and use a piece of wire to clean out each jet. When all the jets are clean, scrub around them with a bleach-compatible cleaner.
There is only one Drano® product recommended for use in slow-running toilets: Drano® Max Build-Up Remover. It contains microorganisms that break down organic matter in pipes that can slow water flow.
The most common causes of blockages are excess toilet paper, waste products, wet wipes, lime scale build-up and other small items like children's toys, deodorant blocks, bottles, and sanitary products.