Can’t Stop Flushing? Here Are the Possible Culprits
Flushing the toilet is second nature to us. But, if you’re finding that flushing twice is also second nature, you have a plumbing problem. Though not every toilet is designed optimally for the best flush-to-water ratio, every additional flush wastes water. So let’s cover the main reasons you may find yourself needing to flush more than once:
Bad quality toilet
In today’s plumbing market, there are good-quality, low-flush toilets and others that work less effectively. If your porcelain throne doesn’t have enough suction when you flush, you may need to keep bending the handle until everything is gone. Not only does having to flush twice get annoying, but it will also give you high water bills. Double the flushes add up over time. It’s as if you have another toilet duplicating your flush every time you go. The easiest way to fix a poor-quality toilet is to replace it with a better one.
Worn or old flapper
The flapper is the plastic piece that sits above the flush valve seat and opens and closes when you press down the handle. Pressing the toilet handle pulls the chain connected to the flapper sending water from the tank to the bowl. Unfortunately, if the flapper is worn or old, your toilet won’t fill correctly, leading to extra flushes. On the plus side, a plumber can replace a flapper without switching out the entire toilet.
Hard water buildup
Hard water affects nearly 80% of American households. Of that number, homes in Scottsdale, Gilbert, Mesa, and the surrounding Phoenix metro also experience hard water. This area is even deemed “very hard” by the water hardness scale. Hard water is a term defined by excess minerals present in the water but is generally harmless to our health. At the same time, hard water can take a severe toll on plumbing fixtures. Primarily calcium and magnesium, these minerals often clog the holes of a toilet rim that pour water into the bowl. Blocked holes affect the flow of your toilet and cause the user to flush twice or more.
Partial or full drain clog
Clogs anywhere in your piping might cause problems with your flushing capabilities. Signs of clogged plumbing lines are as follows:
Water is not flushing correctly or sits in the bowl long after you flush
Water begins flowing out over the edge of the toilet bowl
The toilet gurgles when flushed or fluid has backed up into the tub or shower
Liquid or sludge starts leaking from the sewer drain outside of the building or property
At the point of any indication of a clogged drain, do not attempt to flush the toilet. If you have a plunger on hand, use it. Keep in mind that clogs may be further down plumbing lines and require a camera inspection to find the root of the obstruction. Most modern plumbers offer this service along with general drain cleaning.
Keep your toilet flowing and free!
Not only does additional flushing put added stress on the pipes of your home, but it is also your bathroom’s way of telling you something is wrong. Paying attention to plumbing when it’s gone awry can add years to the lifespan of fixtures and pipes. And we can all agree that healthy pipes equal less headache in the future!
No Worries Rooter of Gilbert offers residential and commercial drain cleaning, leak detection and repair. We recommend Bio-Green drain care for customers who have slow drains caused by buildup in their pipes. Call us at (480) 405-4497.
