How to Flush a Toilet When the Water is Off

The convenience of having running water can’t be ignored. When there’s no water, many people immediately start to panic. Aside from not being able to take a shower, they have no idea how they’re going to use their toilet. Fortunately, whether your water has been shut off for remodeling purposes or municipal repairs in your neighborhood, you can still flush your toilet and enjoy that marvelous aspect of indoor plumbing.

Follow these instructions to flush your toilet when the water is shut off.

Step 1: Gather Water

Be sure to stay updated on the local weather forecast. Before a major storm arrives, it’s a good idea to have an emergency supply of water on standby. However, the city can also temporarily shut off water to areas for various reasons.

When it comes to flushing your toilet, a large quantity of water is of the utmost importance. If you are notified or are fairly certain that you are going to be without running water in the near future, fill up your bathtub ahead of time so that you will be prepared. If you find yourself caught unexpectedly without water, you can use pool or jacuzzi water or collect rainwater or melted snow. If none of these are feasible options, you can always go to the supermarket and purchase a few jugs of H2O.

Step 2: Pour Water into the Toilet Bowl

As long as your toilet bowl is full of water, you should have enough for one more flush. After that, you’ll need the water you’ve collected from Step 1.

Fortunately, flushing your toilet is easier than you may think. Simply fill the toilet tank with water until it reaches the top of the overflow tube. You can then flush your toilet with the flush handle as you normally would.

There’s also another method to consider, which is referred to as a "gravity flush." You’ll need to quickly pour about 1.6 gallons of water in the toilet bowl. The pressure created from dumping the water will force a strong flush. Remember, this method doesn’t require you to use the toilet’s handle.

Some Words of Caution

Be careful when pouring water into the toilet. A big mess can occur if you aren't paying attention. You definitely don’t want any toilet water (or anything else) to splash onto your face. To stay prepared for an emergency, you may want to practice with a clean bowl ahead of time.

If you are experiencing an emergency plumbing issue in Richmond, VA, do not hesitate to let our team at Nuckols Plumbing, Heating & Cooling resolve the issue as quickly as possible. You can trust us to get the job done right the first time and restore your comfort and peace of mind.

Need a Richmond plumber? Contact Nuckols Plumbing, Heating & Cooling today at (804) 214-2077 for an appointment!