Toilet Water Rises Then Slowly Drains? How To Fix It?

Are you shocked why your toilet water rises then slowly drains? Well, it may not seem like a big issue for you, but don’t assume it! Toilets that don’t flush properly can be a sign of a bigger problem that could cost you plenty of dollars down the road. If you can fix the problem and make sure it doesn’t become a big problem, you will save money on your annual plumbing bills and your water bills. Read on to find out how to fix this problem yourself and save money!

5 Reasons Why Your Toilet Water Rises Then Slowly Drains

The most popular reasons why your toilet water drains slowly include:

• Clogged or poor venting
• A clog between the toilet bowl and tank
• Spoiled flush mechanism
• A clogged drain pipe

What To Do If Your Tank Has a Low Water Level

If you have trouble getting any water out of your toilet tank, check the water line  in your tank. If you see a low level in your tank, it means that the water pressure in your tank is low. Please take off the toilet tank cover and place it on a safe surface. Check the level of water in your toilet cistern. If water is low, the flush will be slower.

Check that your toilet tank water line is about the right level required for your tank. If you see that the water line in your toilet cistern is lower than average, it won’t push itself enough to flush much water. That’s the cause of the slow flush behavior of your toilet.

There are several other reasons why your tank water levels may be low. Most times, it’s because of some cause that is out of your control. Fortunately, frequent maintenance may help. Various parts and systems in your toilet will eventually break down and require replacement.

What To Do in Case of Clogged or Poor Venting

You may have noticed a tiny, open pipe on your roof. Such vents outside your home are meant to allow natural airflow. It permits air to flow through your plumbing system to facilitate water flow down the drains. This vent is also piped out to help you get rid of unwanted odors and gases from your house. If you don’t open that vent, noxious odors and gases can build up inside your house and trigger a lot of health risks and discomfort.

More often, outside creatures can get inside and block the pipes. For instance, birds can build nests in the pipe, or some other animals may get stuck inside the vents. This blocks the flow of air inside your house and restrict the flow of water and waste down your pipes.

You’ll want to look for various indicators that your vent pipes are blocked. For example, you may notice a bad smell building up in your home. You may also noticed that more than one of your toilets drains slowly. If that’s the case, a clogged vent might be the issue.

If you notice any of these problems, call a plumber. It is unsafe to touch the inside of a vent pipe by yourself. That gas that escapes from the vent pipe is dangerous!

How to Clear a Clog Between the Toilet Bowl and Tank

It may not seem like you have a bad connection between your bowl and the sewer line. Pressure originates from the toilet tank suddenly releasing 1 or 2 gallons of water, pushing debris down the drain line. If there are lime deposits or other blockages in the water inlet, water may leak very slowly into your bowl. It means less water pressure and a much slower draining process.

It’s best to check your toilet bowl when you flush it to see if there’s any water coming down. You ought to see water gushing down from the top of the tank, down below the rim. If you trigger the flushing mechanism and no water comes down the drain, or if your water is weak, you’ve probably found the problem spot.

You can try a few things to fix the problem, but the least of all things you would want is to cause damage. To get things started, turn off your primary water source and flush the toilet tank to empty it.

Now, gently push in a stiff wire through the inlet hole to see if you can free it. Pouring some white vinegar in the inlet hole might also help loosen any rust.

How to Fix a Spoiled Flush Mechanism

Remove the top of your water tank and flush it. If something happens to the mechanism that opens up flap on your water tank, that could be the reason why the water in your toilet does not flow quickly enough. It may also cause the toilet water to take much longer to drain.

You should first check the chain that links the flap and the flush mechanism to make sure the flap moves smoothly. There may be too much slack in the chain that connects the flap to the mechanism, so you won’t be able to get enough force to lift the flap.

Try adjusting the springs on the flap to make it more rigid. If you think that the whole mechanism is damaged, you can purchase a new one. If you’re good at DIY repairs, it’s simple enough to understand the instructions and install a new mechanism.

How To Unclog a Clogged Drain Pipe?

If there is an issue with your drain line or something is blocking the pipe, water can’t freely flow past it. It may be human waste or other objects that were flushed down the drain. For example, you might not want to flush paper towels or other feminine products down the drain.

If it’s just waste, or if it’s just used paper towels or tissues, you can probably get rid of it. But chances are you’ve already attempted it once or twice with a plunger. If there’s more to it, you’ll need to up your unclogging efforts a little.

How To Unclog a Clogged Drain Pipe Using Dishwasher Soap and Hot Water

Warm water or hot soapy water can help remove large pieces of waste or other small objects. If you use all the water in your tank at once, the water pressure might move the obstruction further down the line, allowing it to continue travelling outside the house.

However, there are a few things that you must pay attention to:

• Do not use hot water when you have an old porcelain toilet. It may cause the toilet to crack or cause other problems, resulting in a leak or causing a mess.
• Don’t use Drano or those chemical cleaners that are not made for plumbing systems; they weren’t designed to work in a toilet. Chemicals in toilet cleaners can cause damage to the toilet bowl and the surrounding areas.

If you have a newer toilet, run hot water from the sink down the drain. It should cause the toilet to flush normally. That should make the water pressure sufficient for the toilet to flush itself. At that juncture, you can also put some dish detergent in the drain. Give it a little time to work then flush again.

Hire A Plumber

If you still have trouble draining your toilet after applying these tips, it may be time to hire a plumber. There may be a problem further down the drain or in the main water line to your house. Sometimes, just using a plunger to release a blockage from a clogged drain isn’t enough. So, before it turns into an emergency, hire a plumber!

FAQs

Can a slow-draining toilet unclog itself?

Clogged toilets usually get unclogged over time because there are a lot of water-soluble materials in the bowl. Most things that clog your toilet are water soluble, so they dissolve in the water when you flush the toilet. If the clog is allowed to break down, a gentle flush with hot water will usually break it up enough to cause the pipes to flow again.

Is it alright to leave a clogged bowl overnight?

If you’ve another restroom, leaving a clog in the toilet overnight is probably okay. But if you only have one toilet in your home, you should call a professional plumber immediately.

Can I use bleach to unclog my toilet?

Regular bleach won’t be as effective as the drain cleaner you might get from a professional drain cleaning service. But it will work for minor clogs that you need to unclog in a pinch. Try putting a couple of cups of bleach in your toilet bowl and give it time to settle before flushing the toilet.

The Takeaway

Hopefully, this guide has given you some basic instructions for repairing things yourself. But just because we’ve explained things and you now know how to fix something doesn’t mean you should. If you’re not confident with your skills or unsure of doing the right thing, don’t risk it! It may cause a more substantial problem! Instead, call a professional plumber to do the job for you.