When you flush that toilet and see that the water is not going down fast enough, it could most likely be an indication of a more serious issue just below the surface.
Neglecting the problem could result in more serious plumbing emergencies that could happen in the middle of the night or while you are out of the house at work or on vacation. Take the time to call in the professionals if you see any of these 3 potential causes of a slow-flushing toilet.
Why Is My Toilet Flushing Slowly?
Trapped Debris in Pipe
Each time you flush something down the toilet in your home that does not belong, it has the potential to become trapped deep down in the plumbing. If an item gets stuck in a tight turn or piece of pipe, it attracts other items, and the clog slowly grows.
Items that should never be flushed down the toilet range from:
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes or other "flushable" wipes
- Dental floss
- Q-tips and cotton balls
- Diapers
- Medication
- Cat litter
- Hair
- Feminine care products
- Facial tissues or napkins
These will not decompose in the water; in many cases, they grow larger and slow down the flow of water each time the toilet is flushed. Your local plumber can perform a pipe blasting with a pressure washer to remove those contaminants and restore the flow to your toilet.
Blocked Vent System
The plumbing venting system helps keep the flow of water moving down the pipes in your home. Those pipe vents go up through the attic and out the roof, but can become damaged in a number of ways.
- If an animal has become trapped in the pipe or built a nest in it, the restricted air flow will result in water flowing slowly from the toilet.
- If wind or storm damage has caused the pipe vent to break, it will result in a slow-flushing toilet.
Have a professional inspect the venting system to ensure air can easily flow up and out of the pipe.
Outdated Toilet
Older toilets have older parts and are more likely to break down, resulting in slower flushing systems. If the toilet is original with the house and is over a decade old, consider getting an estimate from your local plumbing company for a new toilet.
Newer toilets are designed to run more efficiently on less water, saving you money in water consumption and in costly plumbing repairs. Updating the toilet can quickly improve the flow of water.
Low Water Level in the Tank
The force of a flush depends on the volume of water released from the tank. If the water level is too low, there won't be enough pressure to create an effective flush.
This is often caused by an improperly adjusted fill valve or a faulty float.
A Faulty Flapper Valve
The rubber flapper valve at the bottom of the toilet tank is what holds the water in place until you flush.
If it's worn out, cracked, misaligned, or the chain is too long or tangled, it may not open properly or may close too quickly, not allowing enough water to be released.
How Can Mineral Buildup Affect Toilet Flushing?
Mineral buildup can cause slow flushing in toilets by accumulating calcium, magnesium, and other minerals from hard water, which block key parts of the toilet’s flushing system, restricting water flow where it matters most..
Specifically, mineral deposits can:
- Clog or obstruct the small rim jets under the toilet bowl rim and the siphon jet at the bottom, which are essential for delivering a strong, powerful flush. Blocked jets reduce water flow and pressure during flushing, leading to weak, slow flushes.
- Accumulate inside the tank components, such as the fill valve or flapper, causing them to malfunction or work inefficiently, further impacting flush strength.
- Narrow pipes or internal passages due to scale deposits, which limits the volume of water moving quickly through the system during a flush.
When Should I Call a Plumber for a Slow-Flushing Toilet?
A slow-flushing toilet isn’t always a DIY fix. Here’s when it’s time to call in the pros:
- Slow Flush Persists: If adjusting water levels, plunging, using a toilet auger, or cleaning rim jets doesn’t restore proper flush strength, the issue may lie deeper in your plumbing system.
- Multiple Fixtures Are Affected: When more than one toilet slows down, it likely signals a plumbing-wide issue—such as a clogged main sewer line.
- Backups or Gurgling in Other Fixtures: Flushing the toilet causes water to back up or gurgle in sinks or tubs—this is a red flag for venting issues or serious blockages in your sewer lines.
- Foul Odors: Lingering sewage smells around toilets signal possible trapped waste or venting obstructions—best evaluated by a professional.
Toilet issues can be a nuisance. Call Hull Plumbing at (405) 246-9763 today, and get your toilet working!