Flush Your Toilet Even If the Water is Shut Off

If you’ve ever had to shut off the water supply to your whole house or even part of it, you know that normal plumbing functions will be limited. That includes your toilet’s ability to flush.

Losing the ability to flush the toilet while the water is shut off can be both annoying and embarrassing. Fortunately, there is a way you can get around the problem and get the toilet to flush anyway!

Keep reading to learn how to flush the toilet without a water supply.

In order to understand how to get your toilet to flush without a connection to your main water supply, we’ll first have to look at how a toilet functions.

How Toilets Flush

When you look at your toilet you’ll instantly recognize the two main components; the toilet bowl, and the toilet tank. After pushing down on the flush handle, water from the toilet tank flows down into the toilet bowl and is then sucked down your drains, hopefully never to be seen or heard of again.

After flushing, the toilet tank is then refilled from the main water supply. This entire process works through force of gravity and water flow so the only thing you really need to flush is a full toilet tank. However, if the water is shut off, the toilet tank is unable to refill and therefore, you won’t be able to flush the toilet again.

This can be a big problem for individuals who have recently eaten a big meal or don’t have the ability to hold it until the water can be turned back on.

Outsmarting Your Toilet Plumbing

Fortunately for you, we know a way to get your toilet working even when the toilet tank can’t be refilled from the main line.

Since the water that flows from your toilet tank and down the drain is never seen again, it doesn’t matter what kind of water you use to fill the tank. That means if you have any water bottles, a nearby stream, or a friend who is willing to lend you a few buckets of water, you can manually fill the toilet tank yourself.

Once the toilet tank is full, you’re free to flush away!

Of course, now that you know how your toilet works, you can be prepared ahead of time. If you have a plumbing project coming up and you know you’ll have to turn the water supply off, fill up a few buckets with water so you can manually refill your toilet tank. Being prepared will save you from a lot of headache and embarrassment if you run to the bathroom just to realize the toilet tank is empty and the water supply is shut off!

Who to Call When You Have Plumbing Problems

If you need help with a clogged toilet or broken toilet, or you’re experiencing any other plumbing problem, All Clear Plumbing is here for you! We get the job done right with no extra hassle for you. You can reach us by phone at (251) 210-8308 or contact us online!