The toilet is one of humanity’s most important inventions. However, people pay little attention to it until something goes wrong. More often than not, it only requires some simple fixes anyone can do.
This toilet comprises two parts: the bowl and the tank. A handle or button is pumped to flush the toilet outside the tank. Often, some problems occur with the handle or button. For example, the handle/button does not pump water into the bowl or stop flowing into the tank.
The best ways to stop a toilet from flushing is to contact plumbing services. However, there are other home remedies too. Here is a tutorial on how to make a toilet stop flushing:
1. Clean the toilet tank
A toilet tank stores clean water. This water usually comes from the same water source as sink taps and showerheads. To treat water, most countries use chlorine and chloramine as disinfectants. Water softening removes calcium, magnesium, and other metal cations in hard water.
Hard water leaves dissolved minerals (mostly calcium and magnesium) in the limescale water, a white, chalky residue.
Residue like calcium, magnesium and other minerals and dirt like algae can build up in the toilet tank and pipes, which causes clogging.
Open the tank’s lid and check the inner walls for dirt buildup. Use a sponge and soap to clean out the dirt. When visibly clean, try vigorously pumping the flush a few times to clear any potential dirt clogging the system.
2. Check the toilet water level
Inside the tank would be a ball float held by a rod leading to an inlet tube and fill valve. The float is lifted with the rise of the water, which then closes the fill valve to stop water from flowing into the tank. The float should not touch any of the parts in the tank. It should float freely in the water, with the rod holding it in place. The water level in the tank should best be below the flush handle or overflow tube.
If the water is dripping from the flush handle, most likely, the water level is too high. On the fill valve, there would be a white screw that controls the tightness of the float rod. To reduce the water level to the recommended level below the flush handle, adjust the white screw and observe the water level until it maintains at the correct level.
Newer models may have a screw at the top of the valve. Turn the screw at the top of the valve with a screwdriver. Remember, counterclockwise raises the water level and clockwise lowers the water level. Adjust and observe the water level until it maintains at the correct level below the overflow tube.
3. Check the toilet float valve
The fill valve controls the water flowing into the tank through the inlet tube. The fill valve opens to refill the tank with clean water after flushing and shuts it off when the tank is full. There are various types of fill valves with their mechanisms.
In the case of the water continuously flowing into the tank without stopping, most likely, the valve is faulty. A washer or seal made of rubber or silicon in the valve. Check if the washer is new and in its proper place. Replace the washer/seal if it is worn out. The washer/seal comes in various shapes and sizes, so before purchasing, be sure which you need.
To understand further, compare with another flush system in another bathroom. Take pictures, zoom in where necessary and measure correctly.
4. Water not refilling toilet tank
Based on some water compositions mentioned earlier, there can be deposits like calcium or mineral buildup in the tank. These buildups can resist movable parts like flushes, buttons or valves. This commonly causes fill valves to get stuck and not release water back into the tank.
In this case, lubricants come in handy. Spray some lubricating oil on the top of the flush handle or button and around the fill valve. Pump the handle or button a few times to move the lubricant around. Manually move the float rod up and down for this purpose too. The flush handle or button should be easier to move, and the fill valve should work better after this.
5. Get plumber to fix a toilet
The recommendations above may help you if you are hands-on and like to fix things yourself. If you have tried these DIY methods and nothing works, or the problem worsens, call a plumber to the rescue.
If you are confused by the various toilet models, and none of this makes sense to you, call a plumber to help fix your toilet troubles.
