Most of us have instant access to water and it’s easy to forget when it gets turned off.
If your water is off for plumbing repairs or another reason you may wonder what will happen if you accidentally flush the toilet.
Understanding how a toilet works and what happens if it gets flushed when the water is off can better prepare you for future instances.
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What Happens If a Toilet is Flushed When the Water is Off?
Accidentally flushing the toilet when the water is off will not hurt the toilet or cause any damage to the plumbing system, especially if it happens once.
This is because when you flush, all it does is empty the water held in the flush tank into the toilet bowl, so that the toilet waste gets removed.
Generally, if the water gets shut off, the toilet will still have enough water left in the holding tank (also known as the cistern) for one more flush before it is empty.
Once the holding tank is emptied, a toilet cannot get flushed again. That is, pressing the flush will be a futile exercise because there won’t be any water left in the tank for a flush. Any remaining waste will stay in the toilet bowl until more water gets added.
Can You Still Use a Toilet If the Water is Off?
If your water is off, it’s possible to use the toilet as long as you have access to water from an alternate source.
You can get water from a nearby pond or neighbor. It does not have to be potable but must be free of debris to prevent clogging or hurting the components in the tank.
How to Manually Flush a Toilet When the Water is Off
The majority of toilets flush by using the force of gravity. There are two simple ways to flush a toilet when the water is off.
Both methods require a bucket or jug of water on hand.
Flushing With the Holding Tank Method
When you flush a toilet, the water swirls in a circular motion around the inside of the bowl to force the waste down the drain.
To flush a toilet using this method, pour water into the holding tank until it has reached the fill line marked on the inside of the tank. Some toilets may require different amounts of water.
Once the tank is full, you can flush the toilet but you will have to refill the tank before using the toilet again. If you have a limited amount of water the next method is best.
Flushing With the Toilet Bowl Method
Flushing a toilet with this method requires less water. This works best with a bucket or large pot that allows the water to pour out swiftly.
Hold the container of water about one or two feet above the bowl to provide enough pressure to push the waste down the pipe.
Generally, one gallon of water is enough for this method. Slowly pouring water into the bowl will not provide enough pressure to push the waste down the drain.
Be Prepared for Water Shut-Off Emergencies
Life can be unpredictable which is why you should prepare for unexpected emergencies like a natural disaster or the water getting shut off for repairs.
To avoid having a toilet full of waste, always keep enough water on hand for a few days in case you need to use one of the flushing methods discussed above.
The Water is on But the Toilet Won’t Flush
If your water is turned on and your toilet is not flushing correctly, one of the following issues could be to blame.
A Clogged Drain Pipe
Clearing a clogged drain pipe can be done with a good-quality plunger or a drain snake for extra tough jobs.
A Cracked Overflow Tube
If the overflow tube located in the center of the tank gets cracked, it will constantly drain into the bowl. This causes a lack of pressure when the toilet is flushed.
It also constantly wastes a small amount of water. So, my advice would be to call a plumber and get this fixed as soon as possible.
Dirty Inlet Holes
The inlet holes are on the underside of the toilet bowl ledge where the seat rests. These holes get caked with mineral buildup and debris and need cleaning.
Water pressure to the toilet bowl will increase once the inlet holes are clean.
Faulty Flapper or Float
Sometimes, the flapper that lets water into the bowl when flushed doesn’t have a good seal and the tank will run constantly, reducing water pressure.
An improperly adjusted float can cause a toilet to run constantly or not fill up enough. Either way, you will experience issues when flushing. Adjusting the float’s chain usually fixes this issue.
If adjusting the chain on the float did not fix the issue, it’s best to buy a new toilet assembly kit. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
Don’t let a lack of water get you down. Flush your fears by getting prepared for when the water gets shut off. If all else fails don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber for help.
