4 Steps To Fix a Toilet That Won’t Stop Flushing

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage in business building in West Valley City, UT.

A commercial toilet connected to a flushometer may not stop flushing. A sediment blockage in a manual or automatic flushometer can cause the system to constantly run water or result in a toilet overflow. A facilities manager should take these four steps to stop a toilet.

4 Steps to Stop a Toilet From Flushing

1. Shut Off the Water Supply to the Flushometer

Look for a flat screwdriver slot on the left or right side of a manual or automatic flushometer. Turn the slot to shut off the flow of water and prevent a toilet overflow.

2. Clean or Replace a Manual Flushometer Gasket

Use a wrench to loosen the top lid of a manual flushometer and finish unscrewing the lid by hand. Remove the flange cover and inspect the condition of the gasket. If it is covered in sediment, this could be causing the toilet to flush constantly. Remove and clean the gasket and weep hole before reassembling the flushometer.

3. Clean or Replace an Automatic Flushometer Diaphragm Kit

After turning off the water supply to an automatic flushometer, press and hold the button or manual flush control. Clicking noises two seconds apart indicate that the diaphragm kit requires cleaning or replacement. The solenoid may also need to be serviced.

4. Contact a Plumber If the Toilet Is Still Flushing

If cleaning or replacing the gasket in a manual flushometer or diaphragm kit in an automatic model does not solve the problem, the property owner or manager should contact a commercial plumber. Regular flushometer maintenance can limit water wastage and reduce the risk of a toilet flood.

Once a facilities manager learns how to stop a toilet, it may be easier to prevent flushing or toilet overflow problems. If a toilet malfunction or sewer backup occurs, the property owner or manager should contact a plumber and a water damage mitigation and restoration service located in West Valley City, UT.