We’ve all been there: you push the handle, and the toilet won’t flush. It’s frustrating, embarrassing, and, for most common reasons, if not addressed, can lead to unpleasant odours and unsanitary conditions. But fear not! In this blog post, we’ll explore the four most common reasons your toilet won’t flush - call a plumber for reliable solutions to get it back in working order. So, let’s dive into the world of toilet troubleshooting!

Obstructions in the Toilet Drain: The Main Culprit

An impediment in the drain is a key factor contributing to improper flushing in toilets. It can be due to excessive amounts of tissue-clogged bathrooms, too much toilet paper, towels that won’t break down, or even mineral buildup over time.

But no need to worry. One can remedy this type of blockage in many ways, using items such as a plunger and sometimes calling in professional help with unique tools like drills if necessary.

How to Unclog a Toilet | Clogged Toilet

Signs You Need a Professional Plumber

When flushing your toilet correctly, a professional plumber can be invaluable. If plunging or excavation hasn’t worked, you should get expert help for any other plumbing maintenance problems that could be causing the toilet, not the flushing issue. You might want to consider calling in an experienced technician if issues such as recurring clogs, gurgling pipes, low water levels, slow drainage and flooding persist.


With access to specialised equipment and the expertise needed to accurately diagnose all types of plumbing matters, there’s no need to delay when faced with these kinds of bathroom malfunctions.

In essence, it's better to address the issue correctly than to leave it unresolved, as the latter could lead to potential damage in the future.

Inadequate Water Levels in the Toilet Tank

Inadequate water levels in the bowl filling the tank's overflow tube may be causing the toilet to flush inefficiently. This issue can result from a blocked cistern valve or a problem with the water supply.

Suggest filling your bathroom up to an inch below its overflow tube for optimum performance. To repair this difficulty, adjusting the fill valve and discovering any leaks must take place.

To ensure successful flushing activity by using the bowl every time, one must perform all these actions to maintain appropriate liquid levels.

Adjusting the Fill Valve

A skilled professional plumber adeptly adjusts your toilet's fill valve and fine-tunes water levels to optimise flushing efficiency and prevent water wastage. Their expertise ensures that your toilet and outlet valve operate seamlessly, striking the right balance for an effective flush while conserving water resources.

Checking for Leaks

Calling an expert plumber should solve all problems related to your restroom, including preventing damage caused by these things.

Inspecting the toilet tank for possible leaks is necessary to ensure effective flushing and water levels. A quick way to check this is by adding food colouring to the container.

If, after fifteen minutes, there’s a change in colour of the bowl's low water level, then it implies an opening between both parts. Detectors can also identify any leakage or running noise from within the reservoir.

Flapper or Flush Valve Issues: A Silent Saboteur

If you’re having difficulty flushing your toilet correctly, the issue could be a faulty flapper or flush valve. A problem with the flapper can cause water to leak continuously and impede proper filling for a complete flush cycle. Over time, components of the button used in initiating the flow may become brittle or broken, resulting in difficulties when attempting to flush the switch or activate its flushing mechanism again.

Fixing modern toilets can be straightforward with the right steps. If parts are worn out or damaged, replacing them can get your toilet working smoothly again. Our guide makes it easy to replace parts like the flapper and check for issues with the flushing mechanism. By following these instructions, you can ensure each flush is effective and avoid future problems with your toilet.

Replacing the Toilet Flapper

When tasked with replacing a malfunctioning toilet flapper, a professional plumber adeptly assesses the situation, determines the specific model required for your toilet to flow quickly and seamlessly, and executes the replacement. Through their expertise, the plumber ensures a proper fit and functionality, preventing water wastage and maintaining the efficiency of the water supply in your toilet system.

Inspecting the Flush Valve

A skilled professional plumber conducts a comprehensive examination to detect and address leaks in your toilet. Employing advanced techniques, they systematically inspect the tank, the water supply, the toilet bowl, connections, and seals, swiftly identifying the source of leaks and implementing precise repairs to restore your toilet's watertight integrity.

Plumbing System Complications Beyond the Bowl

When a toilet is not flushing correctly, it may be due to plumbing system complications beyond the bowl. Having an experienced plumber assess and inspect drain lines to analyse potential issues with the toilet drain pipe design can help resolve these difficulties related to your toilet not flushing well.

To determine if this solution will work for your situation, consider contacting a professional who understands how vital it is to assess drain lines and consider modifications or adjustments of existing drainage pipes that might be necessary for restoring the proper function of your toilet’s flush systems.

Assessing Drain Lines

For an accurate diagnosis and resolution of your toilet’s flushing problems, it is best to contact your local hardware store or a professional plumber. 

Available at local hardware stores are specialised tools such as plumbing cameras, pipe locators, motorised augers and ultra-high pressure drain jetters that help professionals thoroughly inspect the main sewer line and any other drainage issues in your home. 

A professional plumber can provide expert advice on your problem, which involves how repair services can get your clogged toilet back up and running effectively again.

Considering Drain Pipe Design

Efficient flushing and avoiding unpleasant sewer gas smells from your toilet depends on proper venting, water flow, and trap design in the toilet paper drain pipe.

A plumber can help determine which type of flush water out of too much toilet paper drain is best for a specific plumbing system to ensure optimal performance and address any persistent flushing issues. 

Toilet-specific designs such as pressure assistance models or recommend using P traps for effective flush results. Just consult with a professional about what works perfectly in this case!

Bathroom Plumber: The Real Hero

If your toilet isn’t flushing correctly, there are several potential causes, such as blockages in the drain, insufficient water levels in the water supply of the tank or a problem with the toilet paper, its flush valve or lift chain.

You may need to call an expert bathroom plumber for assistance to troubleshoot. Complete any necessary repairs before damage occurs and ensure your toilet functions and flushes correctly.