Fix a fussy toilet handle and get back to your bubble bath
A toilet on the fritz is no laughing matter. However, a quick run to the home improvement store for a few simple supplies is all you need, even if you’re new to DIY home maintenance. Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to fix a toilet handle and get the whoosh back in your flush.
There are several methods for fixing a toilet that won’t flush. However, toilet handles are relatively simple to troubleshoot, and the problem is likely one of the following four issues:
Loose nut
Stripped nut
Broken handle arm
Disconnected or broken chain
The steps below walk you through the process of checking each potential problem one after the other. If you prefer to have a pro look at the issue, you can call a toilet repair service to take a look and get it flushing again.
Thankfully, toilet handles aren’t complex, and only so many things can go wrong. While you may only need to tighten or readjust the handle, you might need to replace it in other situations. The good news is newbies can easily change a toilet handle if required.
For a toilet handle that wiggles or is so loose it can't flush, you can tighten the mounting nut that holds the handle in place from inside the tank. Remove the lid and locate the handle’s nut and washer inside the tank. Using the slip joint pliers, carefully tighten the nut—overtightening the nut can strip the threads or potentially crack the tank.
If the handle is stuck in the flush position, loosen the nut using the slip joint pliers. Reposition the handle so it’s parallel to the top edge of the tank. Then, retighten the nut, being careful not to overtighten.
Stripped threads may prevent the mounting nut from tightening or cause the handle to loosen soon after tightening the nut. If that’s the case, remove the handle mounting nut and slip the arm partially through the hole (you don’t need to completely remove the handle).
Wrap the handle bolt with the plumber’s tape or electrical tape and put the handle back in the hole. Replace the mounting nut and tighten it.
A toilet handle that’s disconnected from the flapper won’t flush. Reconnect the chain through the hole in the handle arm. Be sure to leave a little slack so the handle doesn’t feel stuck but not so loose that the flapper can’t fully open.
Remove a broken chain by disconnecting it from the toilet handle and the flapper. Connect the new chain through the hole in the arm and the top of the flapper.
You’ll need to replace a cracked or broken handle or handle arm. Before purchasing a new handle, take note of the handle's location on the tank, including the side of the tank the handle is on. Handles are made for different mounting positions—front, right, left, universal, and side—and won’t work if the location on the tank doesn’t match the handle’s mounting position.
You can also check the toilet tank flapper type to ensure there aren’t any special requirements to work with the handle.
Remove the mounting nut and disconnect the chain from the arm. Slide the handle bolt and arm out of the hole in the tank.
Slide the new handle arm and handle bolt through the tank’s handle opening. Slide the mounting nut over the arm and onto the bolt. Tighten the mounting nut, but don’t overtighten it.
Connect the chain to the hole at the end of the arm and replace the lid. If everything works properly, you should be able to flush again without issues.
Fixing a toilet handle is a DIY project that most beginners can handle. DIYing this simple toilet repair can also keep your toilet repair costs down. Remember that this project can take a couple of hours if you don’t have much DIY experience. It’s worth calling a local toilet repair pro if you’ve tried all of the above steps and the toilet handle still isn’t functioning correctly.
Call a pro if you don’t have the time to take on this fix or if you have a bigger issue, such as all the toilets in the house aren’t flushing. Your toilet repair pro can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action.
Your toilet handle might not come back up if the nut is loose or the bolt threads are stripped. Try to tighten the mounting nut and wrap plumber’s tape around the handle bolt to fix stripped threads. It’s possible the handle was improperly installed. If that’s the case, you can use the instructions above to correct the handle’s position.
Toilet handles can get stuck for a couple of reasons, but it’s commonly an issue with the chain. Remove the lid and check the chain’s connection, running from the flapper to the handle arm. Sometimes the chain gets snagged on or against another part of the tank.
The chain might not have the right tension. For example, a chain that’s too short can make the handle feel stuck. Check that there’s some slack in the chain. Old, worn-out flappers can get stuck, too. In this case, you’ll need to see which size toilet flapper you need.
If you have to hold the toilet handle (also called the toilet lever) down to flush, you probably have a chain problem. A chain that cannot fully lift the flapper will close too early and not clear the toilet bowl. Try adjusting the chain length so there’s about ½ inch of slack.
