It is incredibly frustrating when your toilet doesn’t have enough flow power to flush everything down on the first try. Low-flow toilets are supposed to save water, but the double flush defeats the purpose.
Wondering if you can increase the flow of your toilet?
There are a few steps you can try that may save you money in the long run.
Can You Convert a Low-Flow Toilet into a High-Flow One?
While it is not necessarily possible to convert a low-flow toilet into a high-flow one, there are some steps you can take to increase the water flow.
Follow the steps below in order to try and fix your problem.
How to Increase a Low-Flow into a High-Flow
There are a few steps you can take to increase the flow of your toilet if the flow just isn’t strong enough anymore.
Step 1: Check for Clogs
It is important to make sure that a clog isn’t causing the low flow you are experiencing. To check for clogs, pour a gallon of water into the toilet and flush. What happens will determine your next steps.
If your toilet doesn’t flush the water properly, there is probably a clog in the drain somewhere. You can use a plunger or a snake to loosen the clog. Try this process again to make sure the clog is cleared.
If your toilet flushes properly, then the low flow is not coming from a clog. Move on to the next step to keep investigating the problem.
Step 2: Remove Tank Cover
The first thing you should do after you remove the tank cover is to check the water level.
Is the water level with the designated line?
If not, raise the tank float to the proper height.
Move on to the next step.
Step 3: Check Flush Holes
The flush holes can get clogged with buildup from mold or lime. This can cause a decrease in flush power.
Try to unclog the holes with a bobby pin, coat hanger, or a small drill bit.
After you have finished that, try a flush test to check the pressure.
Step 4: Clean the Toilet with Bleach
The next step is to clean your toilet with bleach. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Pour a gallon of bleach into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Flush the toilet as this will allow the bleach to work its way through the toilet system, clearing out any possible blockages.
After a few minutes, turn the water supply back on. Flush the toilet a few more times to see if the pressure is any better. If you are still experiencing issues, move on to the next step.
Step 5: Vinegar Soak
Open the tank lid.
There should be a rubber fill hose on top of the overflow, remove it carefully.
Keeping the tube inside the tank, place a funnel in the end. Pour about a quart of vinegar through the tube. Let this sit for at least two hours.
Flush the toilet a few times to check the flow.
Step 6: Consider a New Toilet
If you have tried all of the previous steps and your flush still hasn’t improved, you may need to consider purchasing a new toilet. This is the least ideal option, and it is a last resort if you can’t increase the flow on your own.
Consider buying a toilet with a larger tank than you currently have. This will allow more water in the tank, ultimately increasing the flush power as more water is running through.
If you are not sure which one to buy, make sure to check our guide to the best toilets on the market.
Mistakes to Avoid, Tips & Tricks
If you think your toilet may be leaking, add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait about 20 minutes. If you see the color in the bowl, your tank is leaking. This could mean the flush valve has eroded and needs to be replaced.
You might also want to examine the flapper, tank ball, and seal of the tank to be sure there aren’t any issues with these pieces.
Finally, make sure the chain attached to the flapper isn’t too tight, this will cause tension and not allow water to properly stream into the bowl.
Summary
A low-flow toilet can be a burden when you are not used to it, especially if it is a new problem. Make sure you try each step listed above to try to find and fix the problem. While it may not be completely possible to convert a low-flow to a high-flow toilet, you can take steps to increase the flow that you do have.
Make sure your toilet isn’t clogged, the flush holes are clear, and the water level is set high enough. Try a few cleaning techniques to clear your toilet out completely. This should improve the flush strength.
If none of these steps work, it may be time to replace your toilet completely. This is the least ideal situation, but if your flow is too low to bear and you can’t fix it, it may be the best decision to make.
A toilet is bound to wear down and start providing less flush power at some point, but there are steps you can take to make your high flow last longer when you do achieve the right pressure. Make sure you keep your toilet clean, check for clogs regularly, and monitor your water pressure consistently.