Toilet Draining Slowly? Follow These 5 Steps To Fix It

Found your toilet draining slowly? A slow-swirling loo is more than just an inconvenience. It’s a red flag telling you that your plumbing system needs attention.

There can be many reasons why your toilet bowl doesn’t fully empty after each flush. For example, mineral deposits, partial clogs, or a misaligned fill valve might be restricting water flow from the toilet tank to the drain line. Ignore these signs, and what might begin as a relatively easy DIY job could blow out into a costly call-out to a toilet plumber.

Before it becomes a severely clogged drain or cracked porcelain, follow these easy steps to get a powerful toilet flush back and keep your household running smoothly.

But first, let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why your toilet might slowly drain.

The most common is a partially clogged toilet. Just beyond the trap, you may just find a tangled mess of toilet paper or foreign debris. Clogs like this can restrict water flow and cause that slow flushing toilet effect. Mineral deposits around the jet holes and inlet hole also narrow openings, reducing the force of each flush.

Inside the toilet tank, a worn or misadjusted fill valve may not deliver enough water, while a kinked refill tube weakens the siphon. Along the drain line, a blocked vent pipe or sewer line vent robs the system of air, slowing flushes.

DIY Toolkit & Safety Checks

To fix a slow-draining toilet, it helps immensely to gather these tools beforehand:

• Flange plunger – seals tightly to push partial clogs through without splashes.
• Rubber gloves and safety glasses – protect skin and eyes from bacteria or chemical sprays.
• Bucket, old towels and disinfectant – control spills and leave the bathroom clean afterwards.
• Heat-proof jug plus hot water and baking soda – dissolves paper and mineral buildup.
• Toilet auger or plumber’s snake – clears deeper blockages beyond the reach of plunging.

Having these tools within arm’s reach helps you to safely fix slow-draining toilets with maximum confidence and minimum mess. Now you can get to work!

The first step to fix a toilet draining slowly is to lift the toilet tank lid carefully and set it aside on a towel. The water level should be about 25 mm below the overflow tube; if it’s lower than that, the flush valve won’t get enough force and the toilet will drain slowly.

Check the fill valve first. If it’s hissing or corroded, you may need to adjust or replace it. Make sure the refill tube is pointing into (NOT inside) the overflow tube so the bowl can prime properly. Straighten the water supply hose and make sure the shut-off tap is fully open to maintain pressure.

A quick adjustment here often sorts out a slow flush.

Step 2: Clean Mineral Deposits from Jet Holes and Inlet Hole

Mineral deposits can restrict water flow and turn a good flush into a slow draining toilet bowl. Thankfully, there’s a way to tackle that problem!

Shut the lid and pour a cup of vinegar into the bowl; let it sit for 10 minutes to loosen calcium deposits. Put on gloves and use a stiff nylon brush (an old toothbrush will also do the trick!) to scrub the jet holes under the rim.

For stubborn spots, straighten a paper clip and gently clear each inlet hole without scratching the porcelain. Finish with a hot water flush to wash away debris and get the powerful flush back.

For this step, you’ll specifically need a flange or toilet plunger. The more commonly known plunger you might use in the shower or kitchen sink won’t suffice in this situation.

Place the flange plunger so its rubber skirt seals over the outlet at the bottom of the bowl. Hold the handle upright and start with a gentle push to expel air. This will stop unpleasant, messy splashes on your porcelain toilet. Now pump the plunger in a steady rhythm: forceful downward push followed by controlled pull-back, keeping the seal intact.

Ten to 12 plunges will create enough pressure and suction to dislodge a partial clog that’s causing the toilet to drain slowly. Finish with a confident flush; if water drains quickly, you’ve won. Repeat once more if your toilet’s water supply still swirls slowly.

Step 4: Pour Hot Water & Baking Soda Solution

A chemical-free fix to unclog toilets is the old hot water and baking soda trick. Here’s how to go about it:

• Boil a kettle, then let the water stand for 2 minutes to protect the porcelain.
• Pour one cup of baking soda into the bowl, aiming it towards the outlet.
• Pour two litres of cooled hot water from waist height to drive the mixture deeper.
• Allow the solution to fizz for ten minutes; this will dissolve grease, paper and mineral deposits.
• Flush firmly to test water flow; repeat once if slow drainage lingers.

Most clogs surrender after one round, restoring healthy pressure and a strong swirl.

When plunging and hot water fail, it’s time to grab a toilet auger. Also known as a plumber’s snake, this handy tool often conquers a slow toilet.

Insert the rubber-sheathed tip into the lower bowl and crank the handle clockwise, guiding the cable gently through the trap and into the drain line. Now, you’ll feel resistance when a partial clog or mineral buildup blocks progress. Maintain a consistent pressure while turning the crank to break apart the blockage or hook, and retrieve it. Withdraw the cable slowly to avoid splashes, wipe it clean, then flush twice.

A restored jet of water confirms your efforts have freed the blockage and revived flow.

When DIY Isn’t Enough: Call a Professional Plumber

If the above 5 steps don’t stop your toilet draining slowly, chances are the issue is something more significant than what simple DIY fixes can resolve. In which case, you’ll need to call a licensed, qualified plumber to get your toilet flushing properly again. Even more so if the problem is affecting more than one toilet.

Common issues that point to more significant plumbing problems that need expert attention include:

• recurring blockages
• water backing up into the shower
• odours near the drain line
• a suspected cracked toilet bowl

At this stage, your best chance at stopping your toilet draining slowly is calling a plumber with camera-inspection gear and hydro-jetting equipment. A plumber can pinpoint a collapsed sewer line, tree-root intrusion or hidden mineral buildup, then repair or replace damaged pipework safely. They can also fix a leaking toilet cistern if need be.

Timely plumbing services prevent costly water damage and restore strong, splash-free flushing to your loo.

A toilet draining slowly doesn’t have to rule your day. Get a flange plunger, hot water, baking soda and a steady hand, and there’s a strong chance you’ll get your slow-draining toilet back to normal before you know it.

Scrubbing the jet holes and adjusting the toilet tank water level will help restore full water flow and a healthy plumbing system. If the drain line won’t clear or a crack appears, call a local plumber before minor issues become major problems. It’s worth remembering that for many plumbing problems, including toilet issues, it’s against the law to carry out DIY work beyond very basic tasks.

A little proactivity now will help you save money and prevent water damage. And you’ll enjoy a loo that delivers the quality flush you need, time and time again.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “Toilet Draining Slowly? Follow These 5 Steps To Fix It”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.