How to Make a Toilet Flush Better in Your Apartment

There are few things as annoying as an apartment toilet with a weak flush. Adjusting the water level in your toilet can help address the problem. By tweaking the float in the tank, you can control how much water fills up in the toilet bowl. 

Each toilet comes with instructions on adjusting the float, which will vary depending on the brand of your toilet. Be careful while adjusting the float, as damaging the valves or connecting rods can cause water to start leaking. If you are fortunate, adjusting the flapper will restore the flushing problem to normal. Otherwise, you may need to contact a plumber to diagnose a more complex issue.

Fortunately, you can address this problem by trying a few simple techniques that will improve the performance of your toilet. Let's look at the strategies you can use to make a toilet flush better in your apartment.

1. Try a vinegar flush

Over time, calcium and other minerals can develop in your toilet and interfere with the flushing power. Calcium deposits are caused by hard water flowing through your toilet system and will eventually cause scale to build up in your toilet tank and inside your pipes. 

A large build-up of scale can cause cloudy water and issues with your flushing power. Vinegar is highly acidic, making it an excellent choice for removing calcium and scale from your toilet system. Open the top of your toilet tank and pour about a litre of vinegar inside. 

If you have a fill-hose on your toilet, move it out the way to prevent the vinegar from getting inside. Now, you can allow the vinegar to sit in your tank for 2 hours or more to break down the scale. 

2. Use dish soap to lubricate blockages

Dish soap is a surprisingly effective way to deal with poor performance from your toilet. Dish soap will dislodge any clogs that are preventing your system from operating at full capacity. 

Start by pouring half a cup of dish soap into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. After letting the soap work its way into the pipes, pour some hot water into the bowl to push the soap down even further. You can turn off the water supply for your toilet before adding the soap to ensure you have enough room to flush with hot water. 

Combining hot water and soap helps break down any particles that may be causing blockages in your system. Using dish soap is one of the easiest methods for people learning how to make a toilet flush better.

3. Use bleach

Bleach is a potent and dangerous chemical that can quickly clear any blockages from your toilet. Before pouring the bleach into the toilet, turn off the water supply. After pouring the bleach in, let it sit for 30 to 45 minutes which will let the bleach work its way through the toilet system. 

Bleach releases toxic fumes, so avoid adding too much and leave the bathroom door open while the bleach is sitting. Turn the water back on and wait 5 or 10 minutes to allow the bowl to fill up with water. After you flush your toilet a few times, you should notice some extra power from the bleach eating away at blockages.

4. Check the handle and chain connection

If you notice a weak response when you press down on the flush handle, you may have an issue with the handle and chain connection. This connection is responsible for lifting the flapper, which releases the water from the toilet tank. 

If the chain is the wrong length or if the connection has become compromised, you may notice issues when flushing your toilet. Double-check that both ends of the chain are connected to the handle and the flapper. When you press down on the handle, the flapper should fully open and close tightly when the handle is released.

5. Check the flapper

If the connection between the handle and flapper seems fine, you may need to adjust the flapper seal. The flapper is responsible for controlling differences in pressure which helps your toilet flush efficiently. Try adjusting the flapper to ensure a complete seal is formed when the flapper is in the closed position. 

If your flapper is worn out, you may notice water leaking from the tank into the toilet bowl. Playing with the chain length will help you give the flapper more or less slack and find the best position to maintain a seal.

6. Check the siphon jets

Siphon jets are the holes around the rim of your toilet that increase water pressure when you flush your toilet. The siphon jets prevent the scent of sewer gasses from entering your bathroom. Creating a partial vacuum that helps suck all the waste out of your toilet when you flush. 

Over time, these jets can become clogged, which causes water pressure to decrease, resulting in a weaker flush. Toilet snakes or an old clothes hanger are great tools for clearing debris from the siphon jets. After removing any blockages, you should notice an increase in flushing power.