Have you ever tried to flush a toilet but the water doesn’t go down? If so, it could be because the flush is stuck. The toilet flush button could be broken, stuck, clogged, or malfunctioning. It may have been knocked off and will need to be replaced if you cannot fix it.
To fix this problem, we are going to discuss some simple steps for fixing your toilet’s flush button. The following video discusses some solutions, we will look into some others below:
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Flush another time
It is possible that the toilet flush is just stuck. If there are two parts to it, try to push both of them at the same time and see if this releases them both. Sometimes some dirt can get between the flush and block it. Giving it a nudge can help to remove this.
If the problem persists, try taking your toilet tank off.
Solutions for standing toilets: fix the toilet flush button
For a standing toilet, this is often as simple as lifting up the lid. Clean the toilet tank and remove debris from it.
Check the flapper. The flapper is a rubber piece that is connected to the flush. It controls the water flow. It is possible that the connection between the flush and the flapper has broken. This is easy and cheap to replace (see the first video on this page).
In some systems, the flapper is integrated with the push button. You can turn the washer around (this is a rubber piece) and see if it works again now. It is also possible that you will have to replace this piece. You can bring it to the hardware store. Try to find the model number and brand of your toilet. This is often printed in the toilet tank.
You might have to adjust the ball valve if the overflow keeps draining water.
These toilets are quite simple and not a lot of things can go wrong with them.
Solutions for hanging toilets: stuck or broken toilet flush
For hanging toilets, you might have to take off the cover. This is done by sliding up the cover. It is possible that you have to use a knife to remove paint or silicone before you can do this. It will just slide right off. Once you have done this, check the plastic plate to check if something is wrong with it. If you pushed too hard, there can be a crack in this part and you have to replace it.
If you look at the piece in the wall, you can see 1 or 2 pieces of plastic sticking out. These pieces can be adjusted by turning and pulling them. It is possible that they are sitting too far away and this can make it harder to flush. It can be quite annoying to work on these toilets as you don’t see what is going on as it is installed in a wall. Taking a picture can help to see the different parts.
You have to remove a few more plastic pieces to get to the toilet tank. This is often done by turning the pieces on the side and then taking the plastic plate off it. Cleaning a toilet tank can help. If this didn’t work, you can check the flapper. This is removed by using the clicking system. It is possible that you have to replace this part or by turning the rubber ring that is on it around.
Be sure to take a picture of every step of the way. This will make it easier to reinstall the toilet afterward as you can take pictures to see what you did. There are a lot of systems out there but they often use a click system or you have to turn parts. Be careful as a lot of these pieces are made out of plastic and can’t handle too much pressure.
If you need a new piece, it is a great idea to find out what the model number and brand are. This is often mentioned on the plastic toilet cover plate. Once you know this, it is easy to find replacement parts. Brands change their parts every few years so knowing the right model is essential.
Check the water supply.
Check if you have water in other places in your house. It is possible that there is a problem with your water supplier or water pump.
It is possible that someone closed the water supply to the toilet. This can be done by turning a valve next to the toilet or inside the toilet tank. You can try to open this and see if the toilet works again. It is essential that you ask why people closed this valve. There might be a leak that they wanted to stop. It is also possible that a valve is closed farther in your system. It happens more often than you think! People might accidentally touch it while cleaning or passing by.
It is also possible that there is a leak and that this lowers the water pressure towards the toilet. If you have water pressure problems, the pipes might not be wide enough and this could lead to issues such as a toilet tank that doesn’t fill properly.
Replacing the flush button
Sometimes you just have to replace the toilet flush button. There are a few different places you can go for a toilet flush button. You will have to know the model number and brand of your toilet to get a replacement part.
If you don’t know the model number, the first place you should go is to your local hardware store. Hardware stores carry all different kinds of parts and tools that are necessary for your home repair projects, including toilet flush buttons.
You can also take a picture of the part and send it to the manufacturer of your toilet. They can often find out what model it is and send you a replacement part.
Once you have the part, you will have to close the water supply (see the video above). Once this is done, you can replace the toilet button.
-For a hanging toilet, this is quite easy. Just slide the panel up to remove the old one. To install the new one, you should slide the new one in place. This can take some trial and error. Don’t force the new panel! Check that the other parts are hanging level. The flush buttons themselves are often plastic sticks. These have to be clicked in place.
-For a standing toilet, the installation procedure depends on the type of toilet. Generally, you will have to remove a screw before you can remove the old part. Once this is done, you can lift the metal part. You can then turn the old pins counterclockwise to remove them.
Once this is done, we can install the new part. Place the metal piece in place and tighten it with a screw. Then you can install the plastic parts.
To conclude, there are several things that can be broken when your toilet flush doesn’t work anymore. It can take some troubleshooting to find the root cause of the issue but this is generally quite easy to solve. Often it is a rubber piece that needs to be replaced or turned around. Rubber can break and gets worn down over time.
