How To Fix A Toilet That Swirls but Won't Flush (Solved!) -

It’s assumed a toilet will flush as soon as you press down.

With a functional toilet, this will be the case. However, when a toil begins to break down, the result may be different.

A good example is when a toilet swirls but won’t flush.

If a toilet swirls but won’t flush, it is likely a clog in the toilet. This can cause the water to trickle down the drain and swirl inside the toilet rather than flushing all the way through. Until the clog is removed, it will continue to do this. Use a plunger and/or toilet cleaner to help remove the clog. If it’s deeper, you may require a drain snake to loosen the clog.

Take your time to go through these steps to figure out what’s required to fix a toilet swirls but won’t flush.

This article will explain how to repair a toilet that keeps swirling without flushing.

Table of Contents

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Steps On Fixing A Toilet That Swirls But Won’t Flush

1. Use a Plunger

If a toilet flushes slowly and incompletely then it’s time to take out the plunger.

In most cases, a toilet that won’t flush will see the water rise. This can be nerve-wracking and it’s best to first lift the toilet cover and push the flapper up. This will help regulate the water level inside the toilet.

Now, you are going to take a plunger to remove the clog in your toilet.

If it is closer to the surface, it will be easy to remove the clog using a plunger. Start with slow motions and make sure to get the “suction” right. This pulling force is going to help remove the clog quickly.

If this does not work, try quicker motions to get rid of the clog in your toilet.

When your toilet is flushing like a whirlpool, this should be your first solution. Try it for 5-10 minutes. If it does not work, move on to the next step.

2. Pour Drain Cleaner Into Toilet

You are now going to move to a more comprehensive solution – the drain cleaner.

Use a quality drain cleaner that will unclog your toilet. In most cases, you will have to pour the drain cleaner into the toilet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.

Read the instructions to see what is best with the drain cleaner you’re using.

If it needs more time, then make sure that is what you do.

Harsher clogs tend to free up with the use of a strong drain cleaner. If a toilet flushes slowly sometimes this is the best step to take.

3. Use a Drain Snake

You will want to use a drain snake as the last step before calling a specialist.

The idea of using a drain snake is to get deeper into the drain through the toilet bowl. The drain snake will unclog a toilet as long as you are getting it in.

Since a drain snake is longer, it will help get to parts of the drain that are impossible to reach using a drain cleaner or even a plunger.

Get the drain snake to go all the way through. This will ensure it unclogs the toilet properly.

Can a Toilet Go Bad And Not Flush?

A toilet can go bad and not flush. This is when the toilet has cracked and/or the drain is not properly connected to the toilet. It can also involve the flushing mechanism being broken causing the water to not flush as expected. It’s best to replace the component to remedy the issue or replace the toilet as a whole.

If you have a toilet in this condition then it is likely aging or has not been installed properly.

Make sure to check the pipes and ensure everything is in the right place. If it is then the next step is to replace components to see what the problem might be.

Final Thoughts

These are the steps to follow if a toilet swirls but won’t flush properly.

If a toilet swirls but won’t flush, it’s due to a clog in the toilet. This can be closer to the surface or deeper in the drain. Start with a plunger and see if that removes the clog. If not, use a drain cleaner or drain snake to go deeper into the drain.

For situations where the clog is much deeper in the drain, it’s best to call a plumber. They will have the tools necessary to unclog the drain regardless of where it is.

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