Perhaps one of the worse things that can happen in your house is your toilet not flushing. Oftentimes, it will leave you in an awkward place where you try to determine what the root cause is.  

Keep in mind that there are a couple of reasons why your toilet isn’t flushing. Fortunately, a professional plumbing contractor can fix most of these reasons. If you know how to figure out what the root cause is, you might be able to fix the problem without hiring a plumber.  

Today, we’re going to share with you some of the possible causes of a toilet that isn’t flushing. If you can’t find any of these things, you might have to search Google for a “plumber near me”. 

Dirty Toilet Jets 

Do you see small holes throughout the underside of your toilet bowl’s rim? Well, those are called toilet jets. When you flush your toilet, the water will come out of those holes. If these holes are clogged with dirt or lime, the water can’t exit properly. This will affect the ability of your toilet to flush at complete power.  

If this is the case, you can get a tiny wire toothbrush or small nail to get rid of any accumulation or clog. You can also use a combination of vinegar, bleach, and water. Once you get rid of all the clog, your toilet should be working properly.  

Broken Overflow Tube 

The job of the overflow tube is to empty the water directly into the bowl when you flush the toilet. However, these tubes can easily crack due to the constant pressure from the water of your toilet. If this happens, the water would rush into the tube rather than the bowl.  

If this is the problem, you’ll have to completely replace the tube. Unfortunately, it is a difficult task. Thus, you might have to hire a professional plumber for help. 

The Flapper is not Closing 

For those who don’t know, the job of the flapper is to keep the water in the tank. It’s a tiny rubber valve that produces a seal at the bottom of the toilet. Water can’t stay at a high level without this seal. Thus, it will not flush at all. If your flapper is not closing, the cause may be the chain that is attached to it. Other causes include the handle and the flapper itself.  

If you want to replace the flapper, you can purchase one from your local hardware shop. They’re cheap since they’re only made of rubber. After you replace the flapper, check to see if your toilet flushes again.  

Clogged Toilet 

Perhaps this is the most common issue that prevents toilets from flushing. Oftentimes, the clog is extremely deep. Pouring a gallon of water into the bowl is the ideal way to see if you’ve got a clogged toilet. You have a clogged toilet if the water does not flush away.  

You can fix a clogged toilet using a plunger. If this does not work, you might have to hire a good plumber for help.