Is your toilet acting up? Familiarizing yourself with some basic plumbing knowledge can help minimize hassle and expenses, whether you tackle minor issues on your own or communicate effectively with a professional.

When faced with a toilet that won’t flush, understanding the underlying problems can save your household from unnecessary frustration. Here are two frequent toilet troubles, along with guidance on how to describe them to a plumber or fix them yourself.

Plumbing Issue – The Toilet Doesn’t Flush When You Press the Handle

If pressing down the handle doesn’t trigger the flushing mechanism, there may be a fault in one or more internal components. A professional plumber will take off the tank lid and inspect the stopper to ensure it seals properly. If the stopper is outdated or not sealing effectively, it will need replacement.

The stopper connects to a chain linked to the lever, which is attached to the flushing handle. This chain should enable the stopper to lift and let the tank water drain. After flushing, it should close securely to stop any leakage, while keeping the tank refilled to the correct level for the next use.

In older toilet models, the chain connecting the ball lever to the flapper can rust or come unhooked. While reattaching it is straightforward, replacing it along with the stopper can be tricky due to the scarcity of specific parts for older flushing systems.

Modern toilets, however, have a different setup. Instead of a floating ball, they utilize a ‘bowl valve.’ When the toilet is flushed, the external handle lifts the flapper, discharging water from the tank. Once filled, the bowl valve rises to maintain the water level. A skilled plumber will also inspect the flapper seal, which may need replacement if it’s