A toilet that flushes twice can be pretty inconvenient. It’s not just an annoyance, it wastes water each time you flush. This not only increases your water bill every month, but the unnecessary water use contributes to serious environmental damage over time.
The double flush is thankfully a quick and easy fix, and we’ve got a great guide to help you through it.
Key Points
- Double flushing is caused by too much water entering the toilet bowl.
- The first parts to check are the flapper and fill valve.
- Adjusting or replacing these parts is quick and easy!
Identifying the Cause
The likeliest suspects for your double flush are:
- A problem with the flapper
- A problem with the water level in your tank.
Check the water level; it should be an inch or two below the overflow tube, or you may be able to see a water line on the wall of the tank where the fill level should be.
If the water level looks good at first glance, the problem might be with the flapper.
Reason #1 – Failing Flappers
Located inside the tank, the flapper controls the release of water from tank to bowl. It could either need adjusting or replacing, so let’s assess the situation. We have plenty of guidance and advice, you and your toilet are in good hands!
Inspect the Flapper
Start by checking your flapper for cracks or warping and lift it to check the rubber seal underneath. If you see damage or the flapper isn’t sitting correctly on the rubber seal, then it’s time for a replacement; hop down to the next section.
If the flapper itself looks ok, check the chain that connects the flapper to the flush handle. A chain that is too short can prevent the flapper from closing correctly, which would allow water to continue flowing into a second flush. On the other hand, if there is too much slack the chain may not lift the flapper enough to flush correctly.
If your flapper chain has a small float attached to it, check that it’s not located too low on the chain. This could prevent the flapper from closing correctly and lead to a double flush.
Replace the Flapper
If your flapper needs to be replaced, first turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush it to drain the tank. Then remove the flapper: unclip the chain and pull the flapper out from under the two pegs or slide it up over the overflow tube. Not all flappers are universal. To ensure the correct fit, take your old flapper with you to the store when buying your new one. Korky is our recommendation if you’re looking for a reliable brand, but there are plenty out there. You can follow our easy guide for flapper replacement.
Finally, make sure that everything is reconnected. Pull the lever to perform a flush test and check if everything is working properly once more. If your toilet keeps acting up after adjusting or replacing the flapper, your other possibility is an overfilled tank.
Pro Tip: When buying a flapper, remember that your best bet is a heavy and sturdy one that’s a universal fit!
Reason #2 – Too Much Water in the Tank
If your tank is filling up too high after flushing, extra water will continue to flow and trigger a second flush. First, check the water level. The ideal level is an inch or two below the overflow tube. You can also look for a fill line or water mark inside the tank to indicate the correct level.
The fill valve and connected float control the water level in the tank. When the water level drops during a flush, it opens to allow fresh water to flow into the tank, then closes again once the rising water lifts the float high enough. It’s an easy adjustment if an incorrect setting is the problem.
Adjust the Float
If your toilet has a cylinder style float, it may have either a dial that can be turned to raise and lower the float’s position, or a clip that allows you to adjust the position of the float. Lowering the float will lower the fill level of the tank.
We have a great guide on how to adjust or replace your float, make sure to check it out!
Replace the Fill Valve
If you can’t adjust the float level or if you discover broken parts, you may need to replace the entire fill valve and float system. Check out another of our helpful articles for a detailed step-by-step on how to replace your valve. You can’t go wrong with a good-quality Fluidmaster or Korky valve, available at most hardware stores..
Once you’ve made your adjustments or replaced the necessary parts, turn the water back on and try a test flush. If you’re down to a single flush, congratulations! Glad we could help.
Toilet Flush Overview
Most homes today have gravity-fed toilets, which are made of two basic porcelain parts: the tank and the bowl. When we think about flushing, it may seem like everything is happening in the bowl, but most of the process actually depends on the tank.
The bowl collects waste until you’re ready to flush. When you turn the handle, it kicks off a siphon effect that draws the water and waste in the bowl down the drain. The ‘kick’ in this case happens when the water from the tank releases into the bowl and creates a pressure difference that moves everything along.
The parts that control this process include the flapper, which opens and closes to release water from the tank to the bowl, and a special fill valve in the water tank that regulates how much water the tank holds.
Problems with the flapper, fill valve, or float can cause an issue like a double flush.
Final Thoughts
Fixing a double flusher is easy and essential, saving your wallet and the environment. Follow our instructions and you can avoid a call to the plumber and solve the problem on your own. Happy flushing!