Like the single flush toilets, dual flush toilet problems are simple and often you may face them. These problems are common and easy to repair or solve. Moreover, if you have previous single flush toilet problems troubleshooting experience, then that will be handy while solving the dual flush toilet problems.
Usually, a toilet has two parts the bowl and tank. Most importantly, the bowl is made of porcelain or metal where less or no problem arises. However, if the bowl has crack or water leaking problem, then its better to replace it without repairing.
Almost all the toilet related problems arise from tank. Therefore, you should know the tank and all its accessories completely before doing anything with it. Tanks contains two important valves along with the handle or button for single flushing toilet or 2 buttons for dual flushing toilet.
Most problems originate from the valves. However, sometimes the buttons or handle can cause problems too. Therefore, make sure you have enough knowledge about the whole toilet tank along with the valves and handle. After that, you can easily solve all these problems without any plumber help.
Toilet Tank and How It Works
What is the purpose of toilet tank? Holding water for the flush. Then fill the tank with water for next flush. So, how does it do that? There are 2 valves involve with this process. The one which opens to flush the water into the bowl is know as ballcock or fill valve. Other one for flush is named flush valve.
So, what is the complete mechanism for flushing toilet? The fill valve opens when the tank is empty. After that, it remains open until a certain amount or level of water fills the tank. Then it blocks the inbound water flow.
When, someone pull the handle to flush, the flush valve opens and flows the water into the bowl from all around at once to send the waste into the sewer system. However, for dual flush toilet, it works slightly differently.
Dual flushing toilets don’t have handle. Instead, they have 2 buttons. One for small flush and another for full flush. When small flush button pressed, the valve opens. But after a certain amount of water flows it becomes close.
However, when the full flush button pressed, all the water from the tank leaves from the tank into the bowl. Its a bit complicated procedure comparing single flush ones. However, it saves a lot of water. Therefore, though dual flushing toilets may be expensive but will save more water and energy cost in the future.
Common Dual Flush Toilet Problems
Dual flush toilet is a type of flushing toilet. Therefore, all problems for any single flush toilet are true for dual flush toilet also. Some exceptional problems may require expert plumber service. However, most are common. Moreover, you can easily troubleshoot these problems and fix without much effort.
We have listed a few common dual flush toilet problems here and how to fix them yourself. But, if you can’t fix it or having difficulty while fixing, its never hard to call for an expert.
Flapper Problem
Dysfunctional flapper is the main cause for dual flushing toilets continuous water running. Sometimes, you may find that the fill valve always open and filling the tank. Because, water are running always because the flapper isn’t working or sealing water well.
To solve this problem, you have to empty the toilet tank completely. Use, wash cloth or towel to get rid of all the water after flushing several times to completely drain the tank. Don’t forget to stop the water line to the toilet tank.
After that, check the flapper. If its rotten or broken, you have to replace it. You can easily buy that online or from any plumbing accessories store around you. However, the flapper can be intact but misaligned. Check that, if misalignment is the cause, just set it up perfectly. Problem solved.
Fill Valve of Ballcock Problem
Its a common problem. Sometimes, the fill valve doesn’t start filling the tank after the flush. Or doesn’t stop after the tank becomes full. Any case related to tank water non-flow or overflow connects with the ballcock or fill valve.
Stop the water connection to the tank and drain it completely. Check the fill valve, whether its working or not by opening the tank lid and starting the water. If you find the valve is intact but isn’t on the right place. Then fix the valve position and it will start working perfectly.
However, if you find the valve isn’t intact or something changed with its shave or design. Please change it. 95% valve problems are usually resolved after changing the valve.
Flushing Button or Handle Problem
After using for many days, the flushing handle or button can become loose. It may cause unusual flashing or not flushing at all.
Check the button or handle, whether all connections are OK or not. If anything loose, please set it perfectly. Sometimes, the spring or push button mechanism doesn’t work well or already broken.
You can just change the chain connect the flush valve and handle and set it optimal setting. For dual flush toilet, if any button doesn’t work properly, its better to change the button parts immediately.
Toilet Base Leaking
Its a common problem and one of the problem flushing toilets have that don’t involve the toilet tank. The toilet base can be leaking water. This water sure is dirty, so don’t touch it. Moreover, stop using the toilet until you solve the problem.
The main cause for toilet base leaking is wax ring in the toilet bowl. To remove and exchange the wax ring, you have to remove the toilet and set it again. You may think it is a plumber job. However, you can do it yourself too, saving a lot in the process.
Clogging Problem
Clogging is a pretty common problem with any type of toilet. Even toilets without flushing can have clogging problem. Get an advanced toilet plunger and most of times it will unclog the toilet with ease.
However, sometimes complicated clogging requires expert hand. Therefore, if plungers can’t unclog the toilet, its better to call a plumber for it.
Low Water
Dual flush toilets use two flush each with fixed amount water flush. Small flash is good for liquid waste and full flush is for hard waste. However, this toilet is made to conserve water. Therefore, full flush may not be similar water flow like single flush.
So, you have to prepare for smaller amount of water per flush. Waste can remain in the sewer line. More than one flush may require. Moreover, irregular use may cause massive waste stopping the sewer line.
Therefore, make sure your current plumbing sewer line works perfectly with dual flush toilet. In addition, if the toilet isn’t used frequently then single flush option will be better.
End Words
You may like dual flush or single flush, but if you like to save water then dual flush is always better. If you are too conservative for water usage, then you can convert to composting toilet.
This toilet doesn’t use any water and 100% eco-friendly. That is to say, please check the composting toilet pros and cons to switch to it.
Dual flushing toilets are fairly new to the market. But works better and save more water and energy. Its good to have and use. Moreover, you will start loving it from the first day of its use.