It seems simple enough — the toilet won’t flush. But every homeowner faced with this situation knows plumbing repair is rarely as easy as it sounds. You do, however, have a few options when your toilet starts acting up. Here’s what to do to get your bathroom back to working order.

3 Plumbing Repair Tips for a Toilet That Won’t Flush

1. Diagnose the Issue

Your toilet is a relatively simple piece of plumbing. When it refuses to flush, it’s due to either the flush mechanism or drainage system. To determine the issue, push the handle. If nothing happens, it’s the flush mechanism. If the toilet attempts to flush but water doesn’t disappear down the drain, blame the drainage system.

2. Grab Your Tools

Once you’ve nailed down a diagnosis, move forward with fixing the problem. A broken flapper chain, an unsealed valve, or a loose flapper fitting are plumbing repairs you can handle on your own. If the toilet bowl isn’t draining, reach for the plunger. A few powerful pushes and pulls may be the solution you need.

3. Call in the Pros

If your plunger isn’t succeeding, the clog could be too big or too far down the pipe. And if looking at the moving parts in the tank only adds to your confusion, call a plumber. Don’t try to meddle with the inner workings of your toilet if you don’t know what you’re doing. You could make the problem worse, but letting a plumber take control is fast and stress-free.

If you want to use your bathroom again, choose a company you can trust to deliver quality service. Property owners in Minneapolis, MN, repeatedly contact Do It Right Plumbing Sewer & Drain Services for plumbing repair. They’re available seven days a week to perform residential plumbing work. Call (612) 388-8524 to schedule service, and visit their website for more information.