It is frustrating to have a swirling, weak toilet that takes so much time to drain everything. Usually, slow flushing toilets can’t exhaust all the waste properly unless you have a great unit. In this case, knowing how to fix a slow flushing toilet becomes a necessity.

First of all, you have to identify the issue behind it, and many of these issues could be solved without calling a plumber. In this article, you will learn about some tips for fixing this problem but before that, let’s see the reasons first!

Reasons for slow flushing toilet:

Mineral build-up:

There are jet holes below the toilet rim, and they may clog up with sediments or residues that could accumulate due to repeated flushing. For this reason, the pressure of the water reduces.

If you don’t solve this problem in time, more minerals will build up below the rim and entirely clog the holes.

Low-water level:

This is the common reason for slow flushing toilets. If the tank water remains below the water level, there wouldn’t be enough water to flush all the waste, which often results in slow flushing.

The toilet tank would need enough water to create force while flushing down the waste. You should check the toilet float because the arm is often overly bent down, so it would click the valve off automatically even when the water level rises a little that is not enough yet.

Weak flush:

the flush in the toilet tank may wear down as time goes on. You may find moss build-up because of the mineral deposits and sediments from the frigid water. It could reduce the pipe diameter resulting in a faulty or slow flushing system.

Clogged drains:

Clogged drains could be another reason for slow flushing. You may have blockage by your waste or drain lines, especially when there are kids.

Items like wipes, floss, sanitary napkins, toys, and other small materials could clog the drains. If you don’t solve this problem immediately, the blockage could go deeper, making the matter worse.

Defective or old flapper:

The valve of the flapper is an integral part of the toilet tank. It’s supposed to reveal or open when you flush your toilet to drain everything completely and close when the tank becomes empty. If the valve doesn’t open fully, this will slow the flushing system.

It may happen due to the rubber string or the chain connected to the plunger that connects the flapper. The connection could be loose due to tear or wear, or it may take too long to pull up the flapper to make a complete opening.

Faulty toilet bowl:

The system of the toilet bowl operates by pressure. The colon should be airtight to pump enough water from the pipe. If it is cracked or damaged, there wouldn’t be enough pressure that causes slow flushing.

The faulty interior colon has to be fixed immediately. You should call a plumber for this problem because doing it yourself may cause more problems due to a silly mistake.

Step 1: checking the toilet tank:

• You should find the central problem, and it could be two things- your toilet is not draining quickly, or the toilet bowl cannot fill soon. For the first cause, you should unclog the clogged toilet, and for the second, it may be an issue with the toilet tank, such as the low-water level.
• The tank is the straight part of your toilet where you would find the handle flush. After lifting the toilet tank cover, carefully lay it on the surface because the weighty porcelain could potentially harm the surface.
• You have to check the handle chain that is connected to the flapper. The rubber or plastic part that sits on the valve is called a flapper, located at the bottom.
• If you find the flapper loose, make it tight enough for lifting the flapper when anyone uses the handle. It should open up for about two or three seconds. Otherwise, it won’t be able to flush enough water.
• After that, you should adjust the handle chain if found necessary, and this is a simple task to do. The chain runs by a hole in the handle.
• You could disconnect it and place another link by the fix for adjusting the overall length. But it would help if you left ½ inch of the slack while doing this.
• You may come in touch with the tank’s water which makes it essential to wash your hand.

Step 2: Use a drain cleaner and dishwashing soap:

• Take a bucket of hot water and pour it into your toilet. This would help remove the residue from the bowl, which may slow the water flow. Let it sit for some time. It would help if you kept in mind that overheating porcelain unevenly or quickly could crack the toilet bowl.
• Pour some drain cleaner into it and ensure that you use a suitable product for your toilet. The instructions are on the product about the amount you should use. Read the label attentively because some products are not ideal for ceramics. Some cleaners require some time to flush, whereas others require instant flushing.
• Put some drops of the cleaner into the flow pipe. Only a tablespoon of liquid cleaner is enough for this. Calcium or lime remover would be more effective for this work.
• Let it soak for about ten minutes to allow the cleaner to seep down the pipe. The calcium, as well as other deposits, would be removed slowly.
• While flushing the toilet, the water comes through the pipes, holes, and the rim. The cleaner would quickly remove the residues in the toilet tank that improve the water flow.

Step 3: using hydrochloric acid:

• It would help if you had some safety precautions such as a mask, eye protection, rubber boots, apron, and gloves in this step. Hydrochloric acid could cause burns on your skin. You have to maximize ventilation by inserting a fan in the window for exhausting air and if there is a fan in your bathroom already, turn it on.
• Turn off the flow of the water to the flush and toilet. Remove any excess water by using a sponge. This would ensure that the acid cleans the toilet bowl and the jet hole. Build up into the jet holes may slow down the flush.
• After taking off the cover, you should insert a funnel into the tube. Take the fill tube off first if found over the overflow tube.
• The funnel’s opening should be large enough to enable pouring, and it must fit tightly into the tube. Avoid using a metal funnel as the acid would erode it. Rinse it well, and don’t reuse it for other works.
• Pour diluted acid into the funnel. Only a tiny ounce of the acid would be enough for the tube. Pour fast to flow out the acid of the holes but not too quickly to overflow as the acid could be dangerous. The rest of the acid should be poured into the bowl to clear the toilet drain.
• Take a poly-film and tape it over the tank opening and the bowl. Seal it tightly to get the best results. This would keep the fumes of the acid from filling your bathroom. You could also use a trash bag to cover the bowl.
• Let it soak for about 24 hours, and this would remove mineral deposits in the drain and bowl over time. Ensure that the door of the bathroom is locked and closed correctly.
• After removing the poly-film, flush the toilet a few times. Don’t forget to turn on the water supply first. If you have rigid water drain pipes, you have to wash more.
• At last, you have to check the rim holes for proper water flow. Usually, these holes are located below the rim, which helps fill up the bowl with water.
• Ensure that water is flowing freely from the pits. Using a coat hanger, you could check them for buildup and other obstructions. Use a small brush to scrub off it. Repeat the process and flush again if needed.

Hopefully, this article will help you fix your slow flushing toilet by yourself. This is not too difficult to do, but all you need is just a bit of attention and accuracy.