Ways to Manually Flush a Toilet

The job of a toilet is simple: to flush away wastewater and waste down into the sewer line. This simple job provides a huge benefit though. It keeps your house clean, sanitary, and free from harmful bacteria and foul odors. Sometimes, unfortunately, the toilet malfunctions and is not able to do its one job. The reasons for a malfunctioning toilet vary and Mr. Rooter Plumbing has an article on how to troubleshoot a faulty toilet, but this article is devoted to a workaround: manually flushing a toilet. If you are running short of time or cannot call a plumber at the moment, then consider these three ways to manually flush a toilet. 
We recommend that you call Mr. Rooter Plumbing to have a plumber repair the toilet when you get the chance, however. The friendly professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing are available to take your call 24/7/365.

Method 1: Bucket of Water

The way a toilet works is actually very simple: it flushes water into the bowl, which pushes wastewater and waste down the sewer line. When the handle does not work or your toilet is otherwise not working, try this:

• Fill a bucket with a few gallons of water.
• Slowly pour the bucket of water into the toilet bowl (not the tank) and gradually speed the pour, dumping the whole bucket of water.
• The water should push the waste through the pipes.

Method 2: The Toilet Tank

In a functioning toilet, the fresh water is housed in the toilet tank. When you pull the handle, the fresh water from the toilet tank flows into the toilet bowl and flushes the toilet in the same way that the bucket of water in the previous method did. If there is a problem in the toilet tank, then this might help:

• Remove the lid of the toilet tank.
• Fill a bucket with about a gallon of water.
• Pour the water in the tank until the water reaches the water line or one inch below the edge of the toilet tank.
• Now, try pulling the flush handle again. If this does not work, then try the next method.

Method 3: Pull the Rubber Flapper

The rubber flapper in the toilet tank is responsible for sealing the pipe between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl. When the handle is pulled, the flapper is lifted and the water in the toilet tank is released into the toilet bowl. Over time, the flapper wears out or becomes damaged and must be replaced. You can also try this manual method:

• Remove the toilet tank lid.
• Look for a chain. If the chain is disconnected from the flush handle’s arm, then connect the chain and the arm and try flushing with the handle again.
• If, instead, the water level is low and the flapper is not completely sealing the opening, then place the flapper firmly over the opening and watch as the water fills up.
• Try flushing again.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing Is Ready to Help
If you need a certified plumber’s assistance, then don’t hesitate to call Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our live representatives are always ready to take your call and our plumbers are on standby to dispatch.