Common Causes of a Toilet Not Flushing Properly

While toilets are very reliable, at some point all of them fail to flush properly for one reason or another. When this occurs, it's a disgusting and frustrating situation that needs to be fixed quickly.

By having an understanding of some of the most common causes of a toilet not flushing properly, getting the problem resolved can be much easier than anticipated.

Improper Drain Line Ventilation

If the toilet's drain line does not have proper ventilation, the toilet will not be able to flush properly. This is due to not enough air being able to get into the drain, which results in a decrease in pressure and the toilet being unable to generate enough force for a full flush.

When this problem exists, a plumber in your Evansville area will be needed to open the drain line enough to allow for proper ventilation.

Clogged Siphon Jets

An often overlooked cause of toilet malfunctions, particularly in older models of toilets, clogged siphon jets can bring proper flushing to a halt. Most older toilets have a small hole at the bottom of the bowl where the water comes out, which is called a siphon jet.

However, when this hole gets clogged up with debris and mineral build-up, flushed water cannot be sent through the hole in the proper manner.

As a result, the water level in the toilet bowl will be at less than full capacity, leading to multiple flushes being needed to empty the bowl of its contents. As with drain line ventilation, a plumber should be called to examine this problem and clear the siphon jet.

Something’s Wrong With the Lift Chain or Flapper

The lift chain and flapper are critical components of a toilet tank. The flapper is a rubber fixture located at the bottom of the tank. It covers the drain leading from the tank to the bowl, acting as a seal to allow water into the bowl and prevent it from leaking when the toilet is not in use.

The lift chain, on the other hand, attaches to a long arm at one end, and the top of the flapper at the other. The arm is attached to the handle of the toilet. As such, pulling the handle raises the arm and brings the chain with it. This action causes the chain to lift the flapper.

When you flush the toilet, the flapper rises and lets water empty into the toilet bowl from the tank. It then lowers itself to hold enough water for the next flush. How high the flapper will rise or in older models how long it stays open is determined by the chain.

A loose or damaged flapper or lift chain that isn’t set to the appropriate height will allow water to slowly leak out of the tank and create lots of problems – including a weak flush. If the chain or flapper isn’t working properly, contact our professional plumbers to inspect your toilet and suggest a permanent solution to the problem.

Toilet is Too Old

Sometimes, the reason a toilet won't flush properly in your Evansville home is due to the fact that the toilet itself is too old and needs to be replaced. In some cases, the toilet is simply too old to be fixed and has so many problems that it would be cheaper to purchase a new toilet that is much more efficient and durable.

In these cases, spending money on new parts such as flappers and valves would make little sense, because more than likely the toilet will simply not work well for very long after any repairs are made.

When a toilet does not work properly, calling a trained plumber can often be the smartest decision. By letting a professional assess what repairs need to be made, the toilet can once again be working well in no time.

Your Evansville, IN home toilet issues can be a nuisance to the whole family. Call Buds Plumbing & Repair Service at 812-618-9638 today, and let's get your toilet back to its flushing state!

Your Trusted Plumber is a Superhero When it Comes to Clean Water

You do home maintenance to protect your home. You practice safety and good sanitation to keep your family from getting hurt or sick. But did you know that some of your home’s components, if not properly maintained can make you sick?

You need properly functioning plumbing to make sure that you’ve got clean water. That’s where your superhero plumber here in Evansville, IN comes in. He can also help save the day when it comes to helping you conserve water (and save money too).

Here is what you need to know.

Health Issues You Could Face

Consuming unclean water isn’t about having an unpleasant drink (in fact, contaminated water is often clear, tasteless and odorless). Contaminated water can be rife with high levels of bacteria, viruses, lead, arsenic, herbicides, pesticides and dozens of other harmful toxins.

You could experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps or even more serious and long-lasting neurological issues. Some water-borne illnesses include E. coli, salmonella, Hepatitis A and more.

You need to take the quality of your water seriously and to be proactive, along with the help of your plumber, to make sure that your family is safe.

Your Plumbing and Clean Water

If your pipes are distressed because of pressure, backflow can occur, which means that water flows in the opposite direction that it is supposed to. What happens is that your wastewater contaminates your fresh water before it gets to your taps.

Do you clean your faucet aerators? Over time, minerals and buildup can gather in the faucet, tainting water before it hits your glass. This one is an easy fix. Pop aerators out every month and soak in vinegar and hot water to loosen residue and then clean.

Older plumbing often contains lead, which can leach into your drinking water. Yikes! It’s a worthwhile financial and health investment to upgrade your pipes to PVC. PVC is more durable to breaks and damage and is less likely to cause water contamination.

How to Conserve Water Best

If you are serious about conserving water, talk to your plumber about installing eco-friendly plumbing fixtures. Dual flush toilets, motion sensor faucets, and low flow showerheads work well and use a fraction of the water.

You can step up conservation efforts as well by changing how you use water at home. When cooking pasta, only fill the pot with just enough liquid. Reserve water to water your plants. Have showers instead of baths. Better yet, cut your shower short- even if just by a couple of minutes. Don’t run your dishwasher or washing machine unless they are full. Don’t forget to check the hoses for these appliances for leaks too.

Interesting Story of the History of Indoor Plumbing

We tend not to think too much about our plumbing until it isn’t working, but have you ever really thought about how plumbing started? Do you wonder what it looked like then, as opposed to what it looks like now in modern-day Evansville, IN?

Do you wonder what it looked like then, as opposed to what it looks like now in modern-day Evansville, IN? Here is a snapshot of the evolution of indoor plumbing over the last few thousand years.

The Early History of Indoor Plumbing

As far back as 6000 B.C., Mesopotamians were moving water from the river for use in their “homes” showing that humans have long had the idea of having water on hand for our convenience. Archeologists pinpointed what may have been the first plumbing pipes to a few centuries later in the ruins of a place in what is known today as India.

These pipes serviced bathrooms that had drains. In the not too distant future in Crete, the first flush toilet was invented by the subjects of King Minos. Also constructed under King Minos’ reign was a rain-harvesting system that incorporated underground drainage.

Next- Rome and Egypt

The Egyptians are noteworthy in plumbing history because of the sturdy and complex construction of bathrooms in the pyramids. Even in this ancient era, they built bathrooms with irrigation and drainage.

They also built replicas of these complete bathrooms in their tombs for the dead. They believed that the dead needed to have access to the same comforts that they had when they were alive.

The Romans are noteworthy because of their impressive aqueduct system. The construction spanned hundreds of years, and eventually hundreds of miles. The system of lead pipes drew fresh water to the bathhouses. They even heated the water using furnaces. These bathhouses featured steam rooms and wastewater removal.

Versailles: Lots of Rooms no Toilets

When you think of Marie Antoinette and her era of extravagance, you would think that she would have had all of the modern conveniences at Versailles. However, there wasn’t a single indoor toilet.

This was problematic, to say the least, given that there were thousands of people in the palace at any given time. They had to use latrines and commodes. The story goes that it was very common for people to use hallways or the outdoor courtyards, which made it very smelly.

As Plumbing Moves Into the Future

Indoor plumbing now isn’t just about comfort and convenience. It is about being able to choose a solution that lets you be eco-friendly and also reduce your water bills.

For example, dual flush toilets let you significantly reduce your household water use (did you know that a traditional toilet grabs 30 percent of your home’s water use?). Its technology lets the user decide how much water to dispense (less water for liquid, more water for solid), hence conserving water.

 

The summer is a fun time for all, but the season can also present a bit of a dilemma for homeowners.

Summer fun and lawn care requires greater water use in the household, which can raise water bills as well as be counterproductive to water conservation efforts to help the environment.

Summer fun and being water conscious don’t have to be mutually exclusive. By taking more active steps to cut back in other areas in your household, you can have your cake and eat it too. We’ve compiled some helpful tips for you.

Maintain Your Plumbing and Avoid Water Waste

Consider upgrading your plumbing to more water-friendly fixtures, like low-flow shower heads, dual flush toilets and motion activated faucets. Get in the habit of inspecting your home for possible plumbing leaks, which can be a huge source of water waste.

Look for damp spots on the walls and flooring; be aware of pooling water around fixtures or moisture on pipes. If you sense a musty odor, that could be the sign of a leak.

Other trouble signs include an unexplained increase in your water bills and low water pressure.

Smart Lawn and Garden Care

Your sprinkler and hoses are important tools to help keep your lawn and garden in tip top shape, but make sure that you are smart about how you use them. Attach a misting nozzle to your hose to water your garden, rather than using the full spray.

Make sure that hoses are in good condition, cracked hoses will leak water. Aim your sprinkler at the lawn only, not the sidewalk or driveway. Use an adjustable sprinkler so that you can be more accurate in your watering (remember to run through it for a better experience).

Look for other ways to get water, like catching rain in a rain barrel, or using reserved water from cooking or after cleaning your fish tank.

Outdoor Water Activities

Get ready to make the most of backyard bay with these fun water activities. Build a colorful sprinkler by attaching a pool noodle with holes punched in it to your hose.

Fill water balloons and hang them for a piñata party. Play water balloon baseball. Construct a “kid wash” by making a frame out of PVC piping, punching holes and attaching your hose.

Always engage in water play on an area of your lawn that needs extra watering, so that water can do double duty.

Tips About Water Leak Detection for Homeowners

While it is true that it's a smart move to employ a plumber to take care of fixing your water leak problems, you can save yourself a lot of time and money if you can do a little initial investigation.

The problem is that a water leak can cause a great deal of damage, so time is of the essence to determine the cause of the leak. It can also help your plumber determine the right solution more quickly.

There are times when you just can't seem to figure it out. Don't stress. We've got special equipment that can pinpoint cause and effect when it comes to water leaks.

The Consequences of Water Leaks

Don't think a small amount of water can be that problematic? Think again. A slow trickle will waste all kinds of water.

Not only are you increasing your carbon footprint, but all that wasted water will also increase your water bills.

When your home's components (like framing, beams and other important structures) encounter moisture, they can rot.

This can compromise your home's safety, which is expensive to fix.

Water damage will also peel wallpaper and paint, destroy your furniture, warp your wood floors and lift carpeting.

And then there is the question of mold growth.

Excessive moisture will cause mold to grow, which is dangerous for your family to breathe in.

Mold is one of the more serious byproducts of a leak, and should not be taken lightly.

Signs of a Water Leak

Beyond seeing pooling water and moisture accumulating on your ceiling, floors, and walls, there are other telltale signs that you've got a water leak.

The most prevalent is if your water meter continues to register increases even long after being turned off.

To trace back the source of the leak, try a few things.

To see if you've got a leak in your home's foundation, walk about your basement in your bare feet.

Do you feel warm or cold spots? Do you hear water rushing even when it is turned off?

Look underneath cabinetry to see if your sink is the source. Is there moisture on the piping? Is there a musty smell or corrosion on the pipe? Is there mold growing?

All these suggest you have a leak in your sink area.

Preventative Steps

Did you know that some of the most common types of water leaks can be prevented with maintenance?

With your washing machine, inspect the hoses and make sure that the date of installation is noted. They need to be replaced every 5-7 years.

It's a good investment to upgrade to stainless steel hoses, which are much less prone to breakage. Also, put a drip pan under your washing machine to catch leaking water.

Replace aging pipes with PVC piping which is much less likely to be compromised and leak.