Toilet Repair & Installation
Fix a toilet that keeps running, weeps around the base or clogs, or install a different one.
Homeowner guide
Toilet Won't Flush in Tempe, AZ? Reasons and Fixes
A flush that does nothing, or barely moves the bowl, comes from a handful of causes. Work from the tank to the drain, and you will find it fast.
By the Tempe Express Plumbing team ·
Check the tank first
Lift the lid and watch what the handle does. If the lever moves without lifting the chain, the chain has slipped or snapped. Reattach it with a little slack.
If the tank is low, the fill valve or the supply may be the issue. Open the shutoff valve fully and see whether the tank refills.
Flapper and chain problems
A flapper that does not lift fully releases too little water. Too much slack in the chain, or too little, causes it. Adjust until the flapper rises cleanly.
A warped or worn flapper may fail to seal and also to lift. It is a cheap part to replace.
A clog in the bowl
If the tank empties but the bowl barely drains, a clog sits in the trap. Use a flange plunger, with water covering the cup, and push and pull steadily.
Avoid chemical cleaners. They can damage the bowl and expose a plumber to hazards.
Clogged rim jets
Mineral deposits can block the small holes under the rim. The flush then feels weak even though the drain is clear. A wire or small brush clears them.
Vinegar poured into the overflow tube and left overnight helps with buildup.
What the symptom points to
Work down this list.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Handle moves, nothing happens | Slipped or broken chain | Reattach with slack |
| Tank is empty | Supply valve closed or fill valve failed | Open valve, replace fill valve |
| Bowl rises and stalls | Clog in the trap | Plunge |
| Tub gurgles when flushed | Main line partly blocked | Call for drain cleaning |
When other drains are affected
If the tub gurgles or a sink backs up when you flush, the main drain line is partly blocked. Stop using water and call. A plunger will not fix this.
Read about drain cleaning to see how the main line is cleared.
Venting and low-flow toilets
A blocked roof vent can cause weak flushes and gurgling. Low-flow toilets also clog more easily if the drain slope is poor.
If problems persist after cleaning, a plumber can check venting and the drain slope.
Replacing the toilet
If a toilet clogs often even with clean pipes, an older model with weak flush design may be the cause. A new unit can fix a chronic issue.
See toilet repair and installation for the choices.
What to do right now
If the bowl is rising, close the supply valve behind the toilet and lift the float in the tank. Do not flush again. Wipe up spills and keep children away.
For sewage backing up elsewhere, call the 24/7 line.
A plunger done right
Use a flange plunger, the type with a rubber flap extending from the cup, for a toilet. Seat it to cover the drain opening fully, press down gently to push out the air, and then pump with steady strokes without breaking the seal. Ten to fifteen strokes is enough to clear most clogs.
If the water level is high, scoop some out first so the bowl does not overflow. Let the water drain before you try a second round, and avoid dumping hot water into porcelain, which can crack.
Using a closet auger
A closet auger is a short cable with a protective sleeve that fits in the bowl. Feed it into the drain, turn the handle to hook the clog and pull it back. It reaches farther than a plunger and protects the finish. Many hardware stores sell one for a modest price.
If the auger reaches a clog but does not move it, or if it passes freely and the toilet still will not flush, stop. The blockage may sit past the trap in the drain line, and forcing it can damage the pipe.
Objects and wipes
Toys, cotton swabs, dental floss and so-called flushable wipes cause many stubborn clogs. Wipes do not break down like paper and can knot together into a mass that blocks the trap or the line. The only reliable rule is that only waste and toilet paper belong in a toilet.
If you know something was dropped in, avoid flushing again. A plumber can pull the toilet, retrieve the object and reset it with a new wax ring. The toilet repair page covers what that visit includes.
Rentals, shared lines and who to call
In an apartment or a duplex, a toilet that will not flush may be one symptom of a blockage in a shared line. If a neighbor reports the same problem, the property manager should be told right away, since the fix is usually on the building side.
Tenants should report the problem in writing and describe what has been tried. Avoid pouring chemicals into a toilet in a rental, because a plumber who later opens the line may be exposed to them.
If the toilet overflows onto the floor, close the supply valve, stop using nearby fixtures and call. Photograph any damage for the landlord or insurer. A drain cleaning visit can clear a shared branch and show whether a deeper problem exists.
Keeping it from happening again
Use only toilet paper that breaks down quickly, and keep wipes, floss and feminine products out of the bowl. Put a small trash can beside the toilet so guests have somewhere to throw them. If a household member has a habit of flushing too much paper at once, flush twice instead of once.
Short answers
Toilet won't flush questions
A slipped chain, a stuck flapper or an empty tank is common. Check the tank first.
A clog in the trap or the drain line. Stop flushing and plunge or call.
If it overflows or other drains back up, yes. Close the supply valve and call.
For a bowl clog, yes. For a main-line blockage, no.
Services that fit this problem
Drain Cleaning & Unclogging
Unblock sinks, tubs, washer standpipes and the main drain, and find out what keeps bringing the clog back.
Sewer Line Repair
Repair a sewer pipe that has cracked, filled with roots or sagged, whether the fix is a patch or a longer stretch.
Keep reading
Repairing a running toilet
A toilet that hisses or refills by itself pads the water bill. Work out which part is failing and whether it is a do-it-yourself swap.
Sewer odor indoors
Sewer odor can come from a dry trap, a bad wax ring or a damaged line. Match where it smells to what it means.
Roots inside the sewer pipe
Fine roots enter hairline cracks and thicken into a plug. See the warning signs, the clearing options and ways to slow regrowth.
Toilet won't flush or overflowing?
Close the supply valve and call the 24/7 line. A dispatcher lines up a local contractor.