How to Fix a Slow Draining Toilet in 5 Easy Steps

How to Fix a Slow Draining Toilet

A slow draining toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems, and it can be a real pain. Not only is it annoying to have to wait for the toilet to drain, but it can also lead to other problems, such as water overflow and mold growth.

If you’re dealing with a slow draining toilet, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem. In this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of slow draining toilets and how to fix them. We’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent future problems.

So if you’re ready to get your toilet back to draining properly, read on!

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Step Instructions Tools
1 Remove the toilet tank lid. Pliers, screwdriver
2 Inspect the flapper valve. Flashlight
3 Clean or replace the flapper valve. Replacement flapper valve
4 Inspect the toilet bowl drain. Plunger
5 Clean or snake the toilet drain. Plunger, toilet auger
6 Reinstall the toilet tank lid. Pliers, screwdriver

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A slow draining toilet can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re trying to get rid of waste quickly. There are a few different things that could be causing the slow drain, and it’s important to identify the cause before you can fix it.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of identifying and solving the problem of a slow draining toilet. We’ll cover everything from slow draining water to plugged drains and clogged toilets. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to fix your slow draining toilet in no time.

Identifying the Cause of the Slow Drain

The first step to fixing a slow draining toilet is to identify the cause of the problem. There are a few different things that could be causing the slow drain, so it’s important to narrow it down before you can start troubleshooting.

Slow draining water

The most common cause of a slow draining toilet is slow draining water. This can be caused by a number of things, including:

  • A clogged drainpipe: The drainpipe leading from the toilet to the sewer line can become clogged with hair, soap scum, and other debris. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A kinked or collapsed drainpipe: The drainpipe leading from the toilet to the sewer line can also become kinked or collapsed. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A clogged toilet: The toilet itself can become clogged with toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and other debris. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.

Plugged drain

Another common cause of a slow draining toilet is a plugged drain. This can be caused by a number of things, including:

  • A build-up of hair and soap scum: The drain in the shower or bathtub can become clogged with hair and soap scum. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A build-up of dirt and debris: The drain in the sink can become clogged with dirt and debris. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A foreign object: A foreign object, such as a toy or a piece of jewelry, can fall into the drain and block it. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.

Clogged toilet

A clogged toilet can also cause a slow draining toilet. This is usually caused by a build-up of toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and other debris in the toilet bowl. This can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.

Other possible causes

There are a few other possible causes of a slow draining toilet, including:

  • A faulty toilet flapper: The toilet flapper is a rubber seal that sits in the drain hole of the toilet bowl. It opens when you flush the toilet and allows water to flow into the bowl. If the flapper is faulty, it can prevent water from flowing freely down the drain and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A faulty toilet float: The toilet float is a plastic ball that floats in the water in the toilet tank. It controls the amount of water that flows into the bowl when you flush the toilet. If the float is faulty, it can prevent the toilet from filling properly and cause the toilet to drain slowly.
  • A faulty toilet fill valve: The toilet fill valve is a valve that controls the flow of water into the toilet tank. If the fill valve is faulty, it can prevent the toilet from filling properly and cause the toilet to drain slowly.

Solving the Problem

Once you’ve identified the cause of the slow drain, you can start troubleshooting and solving the problem. Here are a few tips for fixing a slow draining toilet:

Draining the water from the toilet

If the toilet is completely full of water, you’ll need to drain the water before you can start troubleshooting the problem. To do this, simply remove the toilet tank lid and use a plunger to push the water out of the bowl.

Unclogging the drain

If the drain is clogged, you’ll need to unclog it before you can fix the problem. To do this, you can use a plunger, a drain snake, or a chemical drain cleaner.

Clogging the toilet

If the toilet is clogged, you’ll need to clog it before you can fix the problem. To do this, you can use a plunger, a toilet auger, or a toilet brush.

Other possible solutions

If you’ve tried the above solutions

How To Fix A Slow Draining Toilet?

A slow draining toilet can be a nuisance, but it’s usually an easy fix. In most cases, you can clear the clog yourself with a plunger or a drain snake. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always call a plumber.

1. Identifying the Problem

The first step is to identify the problem. A slow draining toilet can be caused by a number of things, including:

  • A clog in the toilet bowl
  • A clog in the drain line
  • A problem with the toilet flapper
  • A problem with the toilet tank

To identify the problem, you’ll need to take a look at the toilet and listen for any unusual sounds. If you hear gurgling or bubbling, it’s likely that there’s a clog in the drain line. If you see water backing up into the toilet bowl, it’s likely that there’s a clog in the toilet bowl.

2. Clearing the Clog

Once you’ve identified the problem, you can start to clear the clog. If the clog is in the toilet bowl, you can use a plunger to clear it. To do this, fill the toilet bowl with about 1 inch of water and then place the plunger over the drain opening. Push down on the plunger and then release it quickly. Repeat this process until the clog is cleared.

If the clog is in the drain line, you can use a drain snake to clear it. A drain snake is a long, flexible tool that is inserted into the drain line to break up the clog. To use a drain snake, first attach it to a drill. Then, insert the drain snake into the drain line and turn on the drill. The drill will spin the drain snake, which will help to break up the clog.

3. Preventing Future Problems

Once you’ve cleared the clog, you can take steps to prevent future problems. Here are a few tips:

  • Regularly flush the toilet. Flushing the toilet helps to keep the drain line clear.
  • Use a plunger to clear clogs. If you notice a clog forming, use a plunger to clear it before it becomes a major problem.
  • Prevent objects from falling into the toilet. Things like hair, paper, and toys can all clog the toilet. Make sure to keep these items out of the toilet.
  • Other preventive measures. There are a number of other things you can do to prevent future clogs, such as using a toilet bowl cleaner and keeping the toilet seat closed.

4. Getting Professional Help

If you’re not comfortable clearing the clog yourself, you can always call a plumber. A plumber will be able to clear the clog quickly and efficiently.

When to call a plumber

You should call a plumber if:

  • The clog is too large for you to clear yourself
  • You’re not comfortable clearing the clog yourself
  • The clog is causing a major problem, such as flooding

What to expect when you call a plumber

When you call a plumber, they will ask you a few questions about the clog, such as where it is located and how long it has been there. They will then come to your home and assess the situation. The plumber will then give you an estimate of the cost to fix the clog.

How much a plumber will charge

The cost of a plumber will vary depending on the size of the clog, the location of the clog, and the type of clog. The average cost of a plumber to clear a clog is between $100 and $200.

Other resources for help

If you’re having trouble finding a plumber, you can try the following resources:

  • The Yellow Pages
  • Your local chamber of commerce
  • Your local home improvement store
  • Online directories

A slow draining toilet can be a nuisance, but it’s usually an easy fix. In most cases, you can clear the clog yourself with a plunger or a drain snake. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you can always call a plumber.

How do I fix a slow draining toilet?

There are a few things you can try to fix a slow draining toilet. First, check to make sure that the toilet is not clogged. You can do this by pouring a bucket of water into the toilet bowl. If the water drains quickly, then the toilet is not clogged. If the water drains slowly, then you will need to unclog the toilet.

To unclog a toilet, you can use a plunger or a toilet auger. A plunger is a rubber cup that you push and pull on the toilet bowl to create suction. A toilet auger is a long, flexible tool that you insert into the toilet bowl to break up the clog.

If you are unable to unclog the toilet yourself, you can call a plumber.

What are the most common causes of a slow draining toilet?

The most common causes of a slow draining toilet are:

  • A clogged toilet
  • A clogged drain line
  • A faulty toilet flapper
  • A restricted toilet vent

How do I know if my toilet is clogged?

There are a few signs that your toilet is clogged. These include:

  • The toilet is not draining quickly
  • The toilet is making gurgling or bubbling noises
  • The toilet is overflowing

How do I unclog a toilet with a plunger?

To unclog a toilet with a plunger, follow these steps:

1. Fill the toilet bowl with about 1 inch of water.
2. Place the plunger over the drain opening.
3. Push and pull the plunger up and down vigorously for about 10-15 times.
4. Flush the toilet to see if the clog is cleared.

If the clog is not cleared, repeat steps 1-4 until the clog is removed.

How do I unclog a toilet with a toilet auger?

To unclog a toilet with a toilet auger, follow these steps:

1. Remove the toilet tank lid.
2. Locate the toilet drain pipe.
3. Insert the toilet auger into the drain pipe until it reaches the clog.
4. Turn the auger clockwise to rotate the auger blades.
5. Continue turning the auger until the clog is cleared.
6. Flush the toilet to see if the clog is removed.

If the clog is not cleared, repeat steps 4-6 until the clog is removed.

How do I fix a faulty toilet flapper?

To fix a faulty toilet flapper, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
2. Remove the toilet tank lid.
3. Locate the toilet flapper.
4. Remove the old flapper.
5. Install the new flapper.
6. Turn on the water supply to the toilet.

How do I fix a restricted toilet vent?

To fix a restricted toilet vent, follow these steps:

1. Locate the toilet vent.
2. Remove any obstructions that are blocking the vent.
3. Clean the vent with a brush or a wire hanger.
4. Reattach the vent to the toilet.

How can I prevent my toilet from clogging?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your toilet from clogging:

  • Flush only toilet paper and human waste down the toilet.
  • Do not flush feminine hygiene products, diapers, or other non-flushable items down the toilet.
  • Keep the toilet bowl clean by wiping it down with a toilet brush after each use.
  • Use a toilet plunger to clear small clogs before they become larger.
  • Hire a plumber to inspect and clean your sewer lines regularly.

In this blog post, we have discussed the causes of a slow draining toilet and how to fix them. We have also provided tips on how to prevent future problems.

If you are experiencing a slow draining toilet, the first step is to identify the cause of the problem. Once you have identified the cause, you can take the appropriate steps to fix it.

If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, you may need to call a plumber. A plumber can identify and fix the problem quickly and efficiently.

By following the tips in this blog post, you can keep your toilet draining smoothly and avoid costly repairs.

Key Takeaways:

  • A slow draining toilet can be caused by a variety of factors, including a clogged drain, a faulty flapper valve, or a blocked vent.
  • To fix a slow draining toilet, you will need to identify the cause of the problem and take the appropriate steps to fix it.
  • If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, you may need to call a plumber.
  • By following the tips in this blog post, you can keep your toilet draining smoothly and avoid costly repairs.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.