Is it an adventure every time you flush your toilet? You know what we mean. The swirling motion starts. Round and round goes the water. But will the “stuff” in the water really disappear, and how long will it take? If that’s the situation in your home the real question you’re asking is, “Why is my toilet draining and flushing so slowly?” Let your friends at Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing tackle that waste disposal problem for you. We know it may feel uncomfortable for you to talk about your slow toilet, but it’s just part of the job for us.
Let’s make it clear, a slow flushing toilet is a problem. The speed of the water is what actually creates the suction to draw the waste material into the drain pipe. The slower the flush, the less suction there is. And we all know how embarrassing/disgusting it can be when there is waste left in the toilet bowl.
Let’s examine some of the common causes for a slow flushing toilet:
- There could be an obstruction in the pipes
- With the latest COVID-19 quarantine plumbers have seen an uptick of people flushing “flushable” wipes and experiencing clogged sewer lines.
- Note: Even if they are labeled “flushable” or “quick dissolving”:
- Flushable wipes
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes
- are not safe to flush down the toilet!
- In the event of a clog, many people will reach for the plunger and sometimes that can help. A few firm strokes can dislodge any obstruction that might be present.
- Deposits in the toilet tank
- Mineral deposits can build up in the tank and cause the float to close too early meaning there’s not enough water in the tank to provide for a normal flush. Sometimes you can treat a slow flushing toilet with vinegar. Pour it into the overflow tube in the tank to dissolve the mineral deposits.
- Repair the flushing mechanism
- Age and mineral deposits can also damage the flushing mechanism. You should start with replacing the flapper seal between the tank toilet bowl. If the flapper isn’t sealing tightly, it can affect the flush.
If at this point your slow toilet problem is continuing, there may be other causes and it’s time to call in a professional plumber from Kotz. The problem could be in the drain line, perhaps even outside the house. This is especially true if you have any other slow drains or gurgling sounds in the home. We offer video inspections of your sewer line to locate any possible blockages.
Ultimately, the best decision might be to just replace the old toilet. Come down to the our showroom to check out the options. We carry water efficient toilets from all of the leading manufacturers. Many times the better performing new toilets will go a long way toward solving the problem.
There’s an old saying, that you should never be embarrassed talking to your doctor about anything because they’ve heard it before. We’re not doctors, but when it comes to plumbers in Waterford, MI and the surrounding area, you should never be embarrassed talking with us about toilet problems. Just like your doctor, chances are we’ve heard it before and can fix the problem. Like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on our latest offers and get more information like this.
