This problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper. If you run across problems, discover issues that extend beyond the flapper, or decide you want to replace your toilet, reach out to a professional. Now, press the toilet handle down until there’s no water inside the tank. A toilet plunger with an extension flange is designed to fit toilets better, so you can deliver more "oomph" to the plunge. The flapper is a valve at the bottom of the tank that is attached to the flush handle by a chain and rod. Toilet designs haven't changed much over the years. If you follow these steps, the entire process should only take a few minutes. A toilet that flushes slow but is not clogged can be quite frustrating. Replace Your Toilet Flapper Valve. The seal of the flapper is too tight (very hard to pull up). A toilet’s flapper valve sits over the large drain opening in the bottom of the toilet’s tank, regulating when and how much water drains out of the tank and into the bowl. Almost all home toilets contain a storage tank in the rear of the toilet that holds water above a flapper. If yours has a generic one or the incorrect size, it may stay up for too long every time you flush the toilet. To replace your toilet flapper valve, you have to follow the following process.. How to Increase Toilet Flush Pressure. 8. If the toilet doesn’t flush completely unless you hold the handle down for the entire flush cycle, it’s usually because the flapper is not fully lifting away from the flush valve. If You Have to Hold the Lever Down Completely to Flush the Toilet. First, plunge the toilet with the rubber flange pulled out to get a better seal. In a normally functioning toilet, the rapid water movement creates a suction inside the pipe, which serves as the actual flush that pulls down all waste material down the drain. Weak or slow water movement can fail to create an effective flush. To know which kind of flapper your toilet needs, look at the flush drain at the bottom of the toilet’s tank. How To Use a Plunger. Remove the tank lid and turn the shut off valve clockwise to turn it off. The problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper. When the flapper goes bad, the toilet will either leak water or the toilet’s flushing power will diminish. Take out any water left in the tank. Why do I have to hold the toilet handle down? Fixing a toilet flapper is inexpensive and tends to be a straightforward DIY project. The traditional toilet design is the gravity-feed one whose flushing power is highly reliant on gravity. Drain as much water from the tank as possible. The problem is caused by too much slack in the lifting chain that connects the flush lever to the flapper. If, however, the flapper doesn’t create enough suction pressure or closes itself too quickly, the water will leave the cistern with low pressure or not all the water will leave the cistern respectively. The Flapper Has Too Much Slack Problem. When the chain has too much slack, it cannot lift the flapper high enough to allow the full amount of water to flow down through the flush valve; … One of the most common toilet problems is having to hold the flush lever down to flush the toilet. If you have to hold down the handle for a long time to get a good flush, the flapper has too much slack. Poor Toilet Design. The toilet plunger will unplug sink and tub drains, too, if you simply fold the flange back into the bell. 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