If the tab is worn or broken, the toilet handle won’t stay up. Toilet hard to flush? When did organ music become associated with baseball? Just wondering if anyone experienced this and what you did to fix. Side mount toilet handles are less common than front-mount handles, but you should still be able to go to any hardware or home improvement store and match it up easily. Category: Plumbing. I t seems as though the suction inside is almost too good. Under normal circumstances, the handle should be in a perpendicular position awaiting you to flush it downwards. The push-button valve has two buttons, one for small flushes for liquid waste and another for solid waste. Rick. Now, pushing the handle should cause the flapper to whisk water through the tank, into the toilet, and down the drain like it should. Luckily, loose toilet handles are a very minor toilet problem and they’re quite easy to fix. The toilet handle is the only component that’s on the exterior of the toilet tank. You should see plastic or brass fitting attached to the bottom opening on the tank. Share this conversation. Sometimes it looks like a flapper with a chain coming out of the top. 01 of 03. Saving the best for last, you should also check the chain as it’s the most prevalent cause of the issue. Use this guide Adding images to an existing question for that.. My toilet handle to flush has gotten hard to push down. Do not force the handle down once you feel the tension. JB April 2006 Make sure the chain is the right length. If the toilet's drainage pipes are clogged, water and solids back up into the toilet and make it hard to flush. Allow for some slack so the flapper can seat and seal properly over the flush valve. One of the most common issues with a push-button flush relates to constant dripping or running. When did sir Edmund barton get the title sir and how? Before you pick up the phone and call a plumber, take a look inside the tank. All Rights Reserved. Supervisor. When you release the handle, the flapper should settle down into the flush valve, with just a small amount of slack in the chain. Hi Dee, There’s a small tab inside the handle mechanism that acts as a stop to hold the handle in the upright position. It will have a resistance that means you can’t even flush. When the handle points up and presents resistance pushing downwards, it’s called having a stuck handle. The flapper is a tiny piece of plastic that sits over the entry pipe like a valve. Look for the chain binding or snagging against something. Such toilet problems occur occasionally and it’s good to fix the issue by yourself so you know what to expect in the future. The button flush is fairly new but has quickly become the standard in some countries. Therefore, any defaults on the handle obviously means there’s an issue inside the toilet tank/ cistern that needs to be rectified. Get your screwdriver and remove the two screws that hold the tank attached to the wall. Most toilets use pretty simple mechanisms. Skip to main content. Remove the old flush seal being careful not to disrupt the vertical overflow tube that extends up into the tank from the base of the flush valve. This is located at the base of the toilet or on the left side of the toilet tank. holding flush handle to tank may need tightened or replaced. At one time in history, it was new technology that a toilet even flushed. As Adrian says, lift the lid. The chain can also be warped after extended exposure to water. Replace old and worn-out toilet components to avoid overworking other parts. 30,744 satisfied customers. I have to push down very very hard on the handle to make it flush. I have changed it and changed the flush handle but still must hold the handle down until … read more. It's frustrating when you push on a toilet handle and it doesn't work. Loosening the nut means rotating it clockwise. While it may be possible to simply repair the existing handle (no, not with duct tape! The button has two push rods underneath that activate the flush valve. First, check if the chain that is attached to the ball in your tank is opposed to something. Before purchasing a new toilet handle, check to see where the handle is located on your toilet tank. Unhook it gently and throw it away. Options. Less than a year ago the buttons became very stiff and hard to depress. Check the slack again once you initiate the handle. Most of us give little thought to the inner workings of our toilet cisterns - until they malfunction. I have to hold the handle down to flush my toilet completely. Don’t exert too much force when flushing as this may bend or break the chain connecting the lever and flapper. Plumber: Rick, Master Plumber replied 11 years ago. I called Kohler and replaced the trip lever for $17.00. Holding the handle down does help to get the flush going, but only in conjunction with a really hard push on the lever. Use Shoemaker's link to see what it is. Post some images of yours with your question so we can see what it looks like. Unfortunately, if the seal is broken, so is the valve and vice versa. Who is the longest reigning WWE Champion of all time? There could be a lot of reasons. Remove the chain connected to the flapper and the lever. Don't want to start replacing handles or other plastic pieces if there is a simple fix to get them to operate easier. The plastic bearing were the handle goes threw the tank is either worn out or improperly installed . Hi, My 10 year old daughter says that the toilet Handle is quite hard for her to push down to flush. This is quite easy to do, only if you get the right replacement. I had a good look at the siphon yesterday and it looks perfectly normal. You need to repace that seal. The plastic bearing were the handle goes threw the tank is either worn out or improperly installed . If it doesn't, run a plumber's … It is approx 5 yrs old. The "stuck" toilet handle appears to occur for no obvious reason, although the cause is remarkably simple. Show More. 0 0. Why don't libraries smell like bookstores? Here’s how you can replace the chain. Copyright © 2021 Multiply Media, LLC. Rep: 1. Here’s a guide on how to do it. Back Answers Index; 416252. Look at how your handle sticks out of the tank. Submitted: 11 years ago. Add in the new seal and allow water to get into the tank, observe how it acts to affirm you bought the right seal for the job. Does anyone know what could be causing this and how to fix it? What to do when the toilet doesn't flush. To fix this problem, you have to go one bat one to each of these toilet parts and rectify every one of these issues. Examine your flush handle. Locate the two wing nuts underneath the cistern and undo them, so you can lift it away from the toilet … If the chain is blocked, your toilet handle will feel harder to push. Your best solution is to replace the flapper. Store. Less than a year ago the buttons became very stiff and hard to depress. Take your replacement chain and measure against a tape, ensure it’s about half an inch. When you launch your toilet, the beater or … There’s where we begin. How to Fix a Stuck Toilet Handle. Open the cover to the tank and locate the flush valve. If not, turn off the main shutoff valve. Now, the market has a ton of different options when it comes to how you want to flush your toilet. What is wrong with a toilet handle that is hard to push down to flush. Rick, Master Plumber. Went to Home Depot today (Lowes sells them too) and purchased 2 Kohler gaskets, Part number GP1059291, Yellow in color, and replaced them. The tube is flared at the bottom where there is a seal. I have a dual flush toilet. Toilets have come a long way. The tank lever sticks in the up or down position, it does not return to a horizontal position after you flush. 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