What to Do When Your Toilet Won’t Flush

There are few things more cringe-worthy than going into the bathroom after your business is done, only to be greeted by a toilet that just refuses to flush. You hold that handle down like you’re trying to start a stubborn lawnmower, but no luck – the water level doesn’t even budge. Talk about a pretty terrible way to start your day.

For those of us living in homes with some age and character here in the Chicago area, stubborn clogged toilets are basically an inevitability. Our city’s older housing stock has lots of charms, but those aging plumbing systems certainly aren’t one of them. Even brand new toilets can fall victim to the dreaded clog from time to time too.

While a non-flushing toilet is undoubtedly an annoyance, it’s really not the end of the world if you tackle it promptly. There are plenty of DIY unclogging methods worth trying before you resign yourself to an embarrassing call for a plumber. Of course, some seriously stubborn clogs may eventually require those professionals after all.

Either way, that commode isn’t going to unclog itself. Let’s dive into the most common causes behind a toilet that just won’t flush, along with the best techniques for getting things flowing again properly.

Possible Causes of a Clogged/Not Flushing Toilet

So your toilet has decided to go on strike and refuse to flush, huh? Well before you start making accusations about what the kids may have tried to send on its journey, let’s explore some of the most common culprits.

One of the simplest reasons for a no-flush situation could just be a low water level in the tank. If there’s not enough water up there to provide that powerful flush, it’s going to have a hard time forcing everything down. This could be from a faulty flapper or fill valve that’s not properly refilling the tank after each flush. Or you might have a leak slowly draining out that tank water.

Then you’ve got the possibility of a good old-fashioned clogged toilet trap. That’s plumber lingo for the curved section of pipe right under the bowl. This trap acts as a drain with water sealing out sewer gases, but it’s also a prime spot for stray objects to get stuck and block up the workings. Whether it’s kid’s toys, sanitary products, you name it – that trap is a catch-all for troublemakers.

Speaking of troublemakers, tree roots and greasy buildup in your home’s main sewer line could also be the real clog culprit. If there’s a nasty blockage further down the line, it’s going to eventually back up into your toilet and bring things to a screeching halt. Those main line backups are definitely the worst kind of clog to deal with.

But don’t underestimate the power of hard water and mineral buildup over time either. As those mineral deposits accumulate inside your toilet’s components like the flush valve, they can restrict water flow and make it increasingly harder for the toilet to clear everything out with each flush. Eventually it just loses its flushing mojo completely.

And finally, there’s always the possibility that some part of the toilet itself is cracked, broken or damaged. Whether it’s the flush valve, handle, or some other component that’s seen better days, any damage can throw off the whole precision flush cycle. Those older toilet models are ticking time bombs just waiting for parts to give out.

So in summary – low water levels, clogged drains, main line backups, mineral buildup or broken parts could all be conspiring to prevent your porcelain throne from flushing properly. Knowing which suspect is behind the crime will determine the best way to approach getting that stubborn toilet unclogged and back on duty!

Unclogging Methods to Try

Okay, you’ve got a decent idea of what might be causing your toilet to be more stubborn than a toddler at bedtime. Time to put on those gloves and get ready to go a few rounds with that clog! Depending on how bad it is, you’ve got some DIY unclogging tricks to try before waving the white flag and calling a plumber.

The old reliable plunger is usually going to be your first line of attack. But don’t just start plunging away willy-nilly. Using one of those things effectively is an art form. You want to shove that rubber cup down into the drain opening to form a tight seal. Then it’s about getting a vigorous up-and-down pumping motion going – giving it some oomph to really agitate the water and dislodge that clog. Let a little air splurt back in every few plunges to keep things sloshing violently.

If some elbow grease with the plunger doesn’t get things moving, you can try that old school baking soda and vinegar trick. The baking soda helps cut through any nasty gunk buildup, while the vinegar makes it all bubble up with a fizzy reaction. Just pour about a half cup of baking soda directly into the toilet, followed by the same amount of vinegar. Let it sizzle away for 10-15 minutes before flushing it all down with some hot water.

For really stubborn clogs, you might need to bring out the big gun – the toilet auger (or closet auger as some folks call it). This specialized tool is basically just a crazy long, flexible metal cable that you crank down into the toilet trap and drain pipe. With some muscle and careful technique, you can hook and yank out whatever obstruction is causing the clog. It ain’t pretty, but an auger can be a clog’s worst nightmare.

If you’re still having absolutely zero luck at this point, it might require going to extremes – like completely removing the toilet from the floor. This gives you full unobstructed access to reach down into the drain pipe and manually pull out the clog by hand. It’s a total mess, but hey, sometimes you gotta get down and dirty when you’re in a porcelain pinch. Just be sure to pick up a new wax ring for a fresh seal when reinstalling the toilet.

Your absolute last resort is going to be chemical drain cleaner products. These use extremely corrosive, toxic ingredients to basically dissolve and eat away whatever is clogging things up. You’ve got to be really careful with drain cleaners though – their harsh chemicals can actually damage pipes over time if you use them too much. They also create nasty fumes, so make sure you’ve got plenty of ventilation if you go this route.

So there’s your unclogging arsenal: plungers, baking soda and vinegar, augers, removing the whole toilet, and if you’re really desperate, those chemical drain cleaners. Try those tricks in that order based on how stubborn your particular clog seems to be. With some patience and good ol’ fashioned elbow grease, you just might be able to get things flowing again without that embarrassing call to a plumber.

When to Call a Plumber

You’ve given it your best DIY unclogging effort – plunging, baking soda and vinegar, maybe even breaking out the closet auger. But that toilet just won’t budge. When you’ve run through all the tricks in your book and the bowl still refuses to flush, it’s probably time to hang up your plunger and make the call for professional backup.

There are some obvious signs that it’s gone from a pesky clog to a job that requires an expert plumber. If you’ve pulled the toilet and can visually confirm the clog is way down in the drain pipe where you can’t get to it, that’s when you need someone with the right tools. Or if you’ve snaked an auger cable down there as far as it’ll go but it keeps hitting a solid wall, those plumbers have way longer cables to muscle through.

Another surefire indicator it’s over your head? When you’ve got a nasty clog causing multiple toilets, tubs, or showers to all back up at once. That usually points to a huge obstruction or blockage in your home’s main sewer line that you just can’t clear out on your own. You need specialized machinery to locate and power through those types of main line clogs.

Speaking of machinery, plumbers have access to some serious power tools your average homeowner just doesn’t have. Hydro-jetters use high-pressure water streams to blast through even the most stubborn clogs. They’ve also got specialized fiber-optic cameras to actually see what’s going on deep in those drain pipes.

Then there’s the convenience factor of just calling a pro. Plumbers have literally seen and dealt with it all over years of unclogging toilets and drains. They know the tricks to quickly diagnose the situation and get it resolved, instead of you wasting time and effort guessing.

Plus, they’re licensed and insured, protecting you in case of any accidental issues during the repair. Trying to be a DIY hero with a major clog could end up cracking pipes or causing bigger flooding disasters if you’re in over your head. When the clog is that stubborn, it’s worth paying an expert to get it done safely and correctly the first time.

There’s no shame in throwing in the towel on your unclogging efforts and calling a plumber when you’ve exhausted all the DIY tactics. Putting it off or keeping up the struggle can just make the situation worse and more expensive. When you’re facing down a serious porcelain fight, be smart and bring in the big guns.

Don’t Let a Clogged Toilet Ruin Your Day

Whether it’s a toy surprise from the kids or just too much toilet paper from a overenthusiastic roll squeeze, clogged toilets are an inevitable nuisance. But don’t let a non-flushing commode ruin your day or week. Try out those DIY unclogging tricks like plungers, baking soda/vinegar, or closet augers to get things flowing again.

If that toilet puts up too much of a fight, know when to wave the white flag. That’s when you call in the professionals at Precision Today. Our licensed plumbers have the tools and know-how to quickly diagnose and power through even the most stubborn clogs. Don’t let it linger – contact us at (630) 425-8995 to get your porcelain throne back on its throne.