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Why Is My Toilet Handle Hard to Flush?

faucet

Does your toilet handle seem a little bit more difficult to flush? If it’s getting harder and harder to push down, or it won’t flush at all, don’t worry — there are things that you can do to correct the sticky handle without needing major plumbing repair (though we’re always here to help!). Follow these DIY steps to diagnose the problem and correct it.

How to Fix a Sticky Toilet Handle:

  1. Lift the Back of the Toilet Tank. You’ll want to lift the lid off of the back of your toilet to take a look at what is going on inside of your toilet. There are a few reasons why your handle is stick — but all of them are inside of your tank!
  2. Check the Chain. First, check to see if the chain that is attached to the ball in your tank is snagging against something. If the chain is stuck, your toilet handle will feel more difficult to push.
  3. Make Sure the Chain is the Right Length. When you flush your toilet, the flapper or seal should rise (about 90 degrees). If the chain is too long, the flapper will only lift a tiny bit or not at all.
  4. Check the Flapper. Make sure that the flapper inside of your tank isn’t worn out. When flappers are old, they can get stuck. Check to see if it’s hard to pull. If so, just replace your toilet flapper.
  5. Look at the Handle Itself. If everything in the tank seems to be working properly, check the handle itself. Is it cracked? There may be something wrong with the handle — check the nuts inside of the tank that hold the handle in place.

If you run into any problems with your home plumbing, or you have any questions about your plumbing, do not hesitate to reach out to our professionals here at Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Your local Knoxville plumbing technicians are experts in their field and they’re here to help YOU with all of your plumbing needs.

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Locally Owned & Operated

We are proud to continue our decades-long tradition of serving our neighbors throughout the area.

Female Led

Our exceptional leadership focuses on customer service and reliable results for all your plumbing and HVAC needs.

Trusted Plumbing & HVAC Expertise

As active members of Nexstar Network, our team receives cutting-edge training in the latest industry practices.

Same-Day Service Guaranteed

Don’t wait until tomorrow. With our same-day service, we’ll be there when you need us.

Finest Products & Materials Available in the Industry

We deliver unmatched craftsmanship and products for solutions you can depend on for years to come.

Commitment to Community

As a proud member of the Knoxville community, we are invested in the comfort and well-being of our residential and commercial neighbors.