As one of the most vital appliances in any home, your toilet is not something you want to stop working. Unless you want to live as society did before modern indoor plumbing, it is in your best interest to take fast action when your toilet starts to malfunction. There are many toilet problems that are best addressed by a professional plumber, but there are also a few that can be managed all on your own! And one of the most common toilet malfunctions happens to be a repair that you can fix yourself.

We are talking about when a toilet won’t flush. If this is a common occurrence in your home, continue reading to learn how to take care of it, fast.

Check the Water Shut-Off Valve

It is possible for cleaning and other activities shift the water shut-off valve out of place. This impedes water flow to the toilet, thus reducing the amount of water in the toilet bowl after a few flushes, which then lowers the water level too low to flush. To reverse this situation, look for the water shut-off valve at the base of the toilet, and then turn it all the way to the left until it’s in the full open position. To check if your issue is solved, simply flush the toilet to see if it works!

Use Your Plunger to Combat a Clog

Sometimes, the water shut-off valve is not the underlying problem. If the above trick doesn’t work, then you need to check if your pipes are clogged. Large debris can get stuck, like toilet paper, hair ties, and more. In this case, you will need to use your plunger to plunge the toilet bowl for 30 seconds. But before you do, be sure there is not too much water in the toilet bowl. If there is, empty as much water as needed with a separate cup or bowl. Try flushing the toilet to see if the plunger loosened up the clog. If it didn’t, try again or check to see if the flapper is the issue.

Check the Flapper

The flapper inside the back part of the toilet can get knocked off. Open the lid of the back of the toilet and find yours. If the chain is kinked up or the plug is knocked out of place, simply use your fingers to set it back on track. Then try flushing to see if it worked. If none of the above tricks works for your toilet, then it is time to call a professional plumber for help.

Indianapolis Toilet Plumbing

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for help with toilet plumbing in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to answer your questions about toilet repair, replacement, maintenance, and more. We offer free estimates, free advice, and free haul-away for old plumbing appliances too. Call 317-784-1870 to speak with a licensed Indianapolis plumber, today.