Why My Toilet Swirls But Won’t Flush

Your toilet is designed to flush away waste, but sometimes it doesn’t. A clogged inlet hole can cause the water to swirl but not flush.

You can fix this by cleaning the inlet holes with a stiff wire or a coat hanger. Using hot water and soap is also a great way to soften the clogs.

Clogged Inlet Holes

The water in your toilet tank enters the bowl through tiny holes, or inlet holes, located under the rim of the bowl. These inlet holes should allow water to move quickly and easily when you flush so that the water comes out of the toilet fully and can rinse the bowl thoroughly.

But these holes can become clogged by mineral deposits such as calcium and lime buildup. Over time, this can slow down the water flow from the inlet holes causing your toilet to swirl but not flush.

One way to unclog your toilet inlet holes is to use hot vinegar. This will dissolve the mineral deposits in the holes and make them open again. Heat several cups of vinegar to at least 120 degrees before pouring it into the overflow tube, then let it sit for a while.

Low Float Ball

If you’re experiencing this issue, there may be an issue with your water level in the tank. The water must be just below the top of your toilet’s overflow tube in order to effectively flush your waste.

If the level is too low, you’ll have to use more water than needed to get rid of all your waste. This will result in a slow, sluggish flush.

A float ball is used to control the level of water in your toilet tank. This float is usually attached vertically by a rod to the end of the flush lever or horizontally to the cap of your fill valve (depending on how high or low it is placed).

After you flush, the float ball rises with the level of water in the tank and signals the refill valve to shut off. If the float is damaged or obstructed, it won’t be able to do its job and refill the tank with enough water to produce a proper flush. Adjusting the float or replacing it will fix this problem.

Broken Flapper

A broken flapper can be one of the most common causes of a toilet that doesn’t flush properly. It’s a small rubber or plastic cap at the bottom of your tank, right next to the overflow tube.

If it doesn’t open or seal tightly when you flush, it can cause water to leak down into the toilet bowl instead of going down the drain. This can be a costly issue since you’ll need to replace your toilet or have a plumber repair it.

You can easily fix this problem by removing the old flapper and replacing it with a new one. However, you will need to replace both parts at the same time to ensure they work together as a unit.

Clogged Lift Chain

If your toilet swirls but won’t flush, the lift chain may be clogged. This is a small chain that connects the flapper to your toilet’s handle.

When you push the handle, it lifts the flapper to release water into your toilet bowl for a powerful flush. If the lift chain becomes disconnected or broken, it’s a simple fix.

A clogged lift chain can be caused by a variety of problems, including clogs in the drainpipe and jet holes. These clogs prevent water from rushing down the pipes, preventing your toilet from flushing properly.

One way to solve this issue is to re-hook the lift chain to another hole that’s closer to your flush lever. Each lift chain comes with multiple anchor points, so you can easily re-attach it to a point that works better. You should leave at least 1/2 inch of slack in the chain to ensure it can lift the flapper.