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How to Make the Toilet Flush Better

You worked hard for it, and the job is finally done. Now comes the best part: the flush, that reassuring feeling of losing your unwanted “burden”. But what happens when the flush is nowhere near as strong as it used to be? Or worse, when you need it to be?

Don’t let it get you down; this type of problem is not uncommon! There are multiple factors that can contribute to the strength of the flush. Most of the time, the problem has to do with the mechanism inside the tank or a cracked bowl. In some cases, it could also be about the holes located at the inner side of the seat.

The good news is that these problems are easy to detect and can be solved in a few simple steps. Keep reading to find out how!

How to Make Your Toilet Flush Stronger

There are a few simple things you can do to make your flush stronger. Maybe you have been flushing the toilet the wrong way, or there’s something wrong with the toilet tank. Are the holes in the toilet clogged up? Do you need to call a plunger to solve your problem? Continue reading to make sure your next flush is the best flush!

The Plunger Is Your Best Friend

Whenever a problem occurs in the toilet, our first inclination is to plunge it out! This is not wrong per se. In fact, it is widely encouraged, as you can read in our article on finding the right plunger for your specific needs.

Once you decide to go with this trick, observe whether using the plunge changes the force of the flush at all. The thing is, when it comes to making the toilet flush harder, the plunge may not be the best solution. Not only because the water pressure is related to another mechanism but also because it might be a temporary fix.

Plunging can solve a clogging issue that might be affecting the quality of the flush. However, to make your toilet flush better, you’ll need to make sure that there is enough water in the toilet tank and that you are flushing it properly.

Are You Flushing the Right Way?

Believe it or not, one of the most obvious solutions to make a toilet flush faster is to correct the way one flushes. Even though it seems pretty obvious, the duration of the flush is actually critical. This is because the flush handle determines the amount of water that will be used for the flush.

If you barely press down on it, which is something most of us do without thinking, only a small amount of water will come out of the tank. In other words, your flush will not reach its full potential and won’t use the entirety of the water in its tank. The advice of most plumbers is to make sure that *ahem* the contents disappear before you let go of the handle.

Don’t Hesitate to Lift the Lid

It’s time to lift the lid to a whole new world: the toilet tank! The tank preserves the water that is used in the flushing process. The amount of water in the tank affects the power of the flush because if there is not enough water at the moment you’re about to flush, your flush won’t be as effective.

Find the water level (WL) indicator that’s usually located on the inner side of the tank or on the tube. This line indicates the required water level that a tank needs to be full and results in a strong toilet flush.

To see whether this is causing the problem, observe the level of the water when you flush and see whether it gets restored back to the critical level mark. If it doesn’t, that means the tank is not getting enough water to produce a successful flush. Find the long screw next to the tube called “Float Rod Adjustment Screw” and screw 5-6 times clockwise. You’ll notice the water level rising.

You can screw clockwise even further to get closer to the WL if need be and counterclockwise to find your middle ground. When you are satisfied, flush again. Did that solve your problem?

Hold Up: How Did Calcium Get In There?

Did you know that the water we have access to in our kitchen or bathroom is rich with calcium and magnesium? This type of rich-in-minerals water is known as hard water, whereas soft water is water that is stripped away from these extra minerals.

Okay, but how is hard water connected with toilet flushes, you say? Well, it has to do with what happens to the hard water when it dries up, and it just might carry the solution to your flushing problem in case none of the tricks above worked.

Getting Rid of the Build Up

When hard water evaporates, the minerals like calcium are left behind. As calcium builds up, it dries and hardens, which is why we see those white casts or limescale accumulating in kettles or coffee pots. In the bathroom, calcium builds up in the small holes hidden at the inner side of the toilet lids called “rim holes”. These small holes circulate the water that comes from the tank for an equally forceful flush.

Over time, the calcium residue starts clogging the holes, thus affecting the strength of your flush. Even though the holes are small, they are actually quite easy to find. Holding a small mirror towards the seat should do the trick. Once you locate them, observe the edges of these holes for rust-looking particles.

The calcium buildup can get quite stiff, so fashioning a tool from some wires or even a cheap coat hanger will help you poke them. Make sure this wire is not very short as you might drop it. Don’t reach out for nails or hammers as they might crack the toilet itself. Spraying cleaners that contain muriatic and/or hydrochloric acid will also help dissolve the buildup.

After a thorough check of all the holes, flush again. Is the toilet flushing better?

Ask for the Help of a Professional

Even though following these steps would usually solve most flushing problems, there is a small chance that the problem might be something bigger, such as a leak in the mechanism of the toilet or in the water pipes. In that case, calling a professional before the problem gets out of hand is your best course of action. Shut off the valve beside the toilet to block water income and call your plumber.

Remember that you should take action as soon as you notice a problem with your flushing. Even though it may seem insignificant or even minuscule at the time, that doesn’t mean things can’t get out of hand easily. Don’t hesitate to act and look for solutions. You got this!

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