How to Increase Toilet Flush Pressure?

mooodeng on 18/05/2025 - 18:35
Last edited 19/05/2025 - 12:13

Ok serious question and wanting to get input on this. The toilet at home doesn't have much flushing pressure and it sometimes has to take 2-3 full flushes to clear out everything. It's connected to a rainwater tank and pump assisted.

The toilet at work however, has high flushing pressure and easily clear out the bowel in one flush.

What can I do to increase the flushing pressure at home so I can conserve water? I do have a bidet and really don't use much tp (mainly for drying).

Edit:

Thanks for the suggestions. I have adjusted the screw to allow more water into the toilet tank. Working much better now.

Home & Garden Toilet

Comments

  • elgrande on 18/05/2025 - 18:40
    +36

    Sounds like a sh!tty situation. Hope it clears up quickly for you.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 20/05/2025 - 17:25

      Real OzBargainers do the wafflestomp to save time and water.

  • tabz on 18/05/2025 - 18:42
    +6

    Might not be the same issue as you, but when I moved into my current place, one of the toilets didn't flush as strong as the other one. I opened up the cistern of the strong one and noticed the outlet valve was different to the weak one.

    Swapped out the outlet valve to one with a similar design as the strong one and that seemed to fix it.

  • TEER3X on 18/05/2025 - 18:42
    +11

    I normally eat cheap spicy food to clear out the bowel….. but I think it would require multiple flushes.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 20/05/2025 - 17:31

      I normally take psyllium husk to keep me regular…

      Or do I regularly take psyllium husk to keep me normal???

      Either one.

      • Ulysses31 on 20/05/2025 - 19:06

        Where do you take it?

  • MS Paint on 18/05/2025 - 18:50
    +11

    Only poop at work for the following reasons:

    1. More flushing pressure
    2. Get paid to poop.
    • simplystu on 18/05/2025 - 18:54
      +10

      3.) free TP … Got to conserve your stash - just in case.

      • Poor Ass on 19/05/2025 - 13:21

        or refer to the guy that cooks at the local park and take shits at the shopping centre

      • kaleidoscope on 20/05/2025 - 13:51

        Once you go Japanese toilet seat, the is no turning back.

    • theHMASfriendship on 19/05/2025 - 08:43
      +2

      I also only poop at MS Paint’s work

      • Click_It on 19/05/2025 - 13:24
        +1

        I thought I was the only one pooping at MS Paint's work. Haven't bought tp since covid

      • ak47wong on 20/05/2025 - 14:11

        That would be at Microsoft right?

  • onetwothreefour on 18/05/2025 - 18:53
    +15

    Bigger cistern? I'm not a plumber but flushing is only the water that is stored in the cistern, gravity does most of the work.

    • simplystu on 18/05/2025 - 19:03
      +5

      Not only cistern … but also size of plumbing pipes +++ even actual toilet bowl design too (won't go into it too much - but toilet in newly built house … Really doesn't work with #2's).

      Perhaps a uni student could do their science thesis on this ??? … As also includes complex mathematics as to the design/flow/etc.

      • MS Paint on 18/05/2025 - 19:24
        +4

        jv will soon post chatgpt's response to this thesis topic.

        • onetwothreefour on 19/05/2025 - 06:52
          +1

          ChatJVT results below

          That's a great question! It's definitely frustrating to waste water with multiple flushes. Since you're on a rainwater tank and have a bidet, conserving water makes perfect sense. Here's a breakdown of what you can do to potentially increase the flushing pressure at home:

          1. Check for Simple Fixes First:

          • Toilet Tank Water Level: Open the toilet tank lid and look for a fill line marked on the inside or on the overflow pipe. Ensure the water fills up to this line. If it's consistently low, you may need to adjust the float mechanism.
            • For a ballcock float (a ball on an arm), try gently bending the arm upwards.
            • For a cylinder float (a plastic cylinder that slides on a vertical rod), there's usually an adjustment clip or screw you can use to raise the water level.
          • Flapper Valve: This is the rubber or silicone flap at the bottom of the tank that lifts when you flush. Make sure it's sealing properly when closed. If it's old, cracked, or warped, it might not be holding enough water in the tank for a powerful flush. Consider replacing it. Also, check the chain connecting the handle to the flapper. If it's too loose or too tight, it can affect how the flapper opens and closes. There should be a little slack, but not so much that it prevents the flapper from lifting fully.
          • Rim Jets: These are the small holes under the rim of the toilet bowl that direct water downwards during a flush. Over time, mineral deposits can clog these holes, reducing flushing power. You can try cleaning them with a stiff wire (like a bent coat hanger) or an old toothbrush and some vinegar or a specialized toilet bowl cleaner designed to remove mineral buildup.
          • Obstructions: Even a partial clog in the toilet trap or further down the drainpipe can restrict water flow and weaken the flush. Try using a plunger to see if that helps.

          2. Inspect Your Rainwater Tank and Pump System:

          • Pump Pressure: Your pump should be providing adequate pressure to the house. If other taps in your home also have low pressure, the issue might be with the pump itself. Check the pump's pressure gauge (if it has one). It should be operating within the manufacturer's recommended range.
          • Pump Intake Filter: Most pumps have a filter at the intake to prevent debris from entering. A clogged filter can significantly reduce the pump's efficiency and the water pressure it delivers. Locate the filter and clean it according to the pump's manual.
          • Pipework: Inspect the pipes leading from the tank to your toilet for any kinks, blockages, or leaks. Even a small leak can reduce pressure.
          • Pump Size and Type: It's possible that the pump you have isn't ideally sized for your household needs, especially if it's a long distance or uphill to the toilet. A plumber specializing in rainwater tank systems can assess if your pump is adequate.
          • Air in the System: Sometimes air can get trapped in the plumbing lines, which can affect pressure. Some systems have a way to bleed air; consult your pump or system manual.

          3. Consider Toilet-Specific Solutions:

          • High-Efficiency Toilet: If the above steps don't significantly improve the situation, your current toilet might just be an older, less efficient model that requires more water and multiple flushes. Modern high-efficiency toilets are designed to flush effectively with much less water and often have better trapway designs for clearing waste. Look for WaterMark certified models in Australia.
          • Pressure-Assisted Toilet: These toilets use compressed air to create a powerful flush, even with a limited amount of water. They are often more effective in situations with lower water pressure but can be a bit noisier than gravity-fed toilets.

          4. When to Call a Professional:

          • If you're not comfortable working with plumbing or electrical components.
          • If you suspect a major blockage in the drain pipes.
          • If you think there might be an issue with your rainwater tank pump.
          • If you've tried the simple fixes and the flushing pressure hasn't improved.

          Regarding Water Conservation with Your Bidet:

          You're already on the right track! Bidets significantly reduce the need for toilet paper, which, as you know, saves trees and the large amounts of water used in its production. By increasing your toilet's flushing efficiency, you'll be further contributing to water conservation from your rainwater tank.

          Start with the easiest checks and adjustments. Hopefully, one of those will make a noticeable difference. Good luck getting that powerful, single-flush action at home!

      • JIMB0 on 18/05/2025 - 20:22
        +1

        Introducing my Crappy Capstone Project: a groundbreaking study into toilet design. We deep dive into ‘turd-bulence,’ flush force optimisation, and the eternal mystery, ‘Why won't floaters flush?’

      • banana365 on 19/05/2025 - 16:53

        Plumbing pipes? You do realise that none of the water that's used for the flush comes directly from the pipes, it all comes directly from the cistern? You might fill the cistern faster with larger, non-standard pipes but that will have zero effect on the flush.

  • randomusername2017 on 18/05/2025 - 18:54
    +5

    clear out the bowel in one flush.

    Bidet at work?

    • pegaxs on 18/05/2025 - 23:35

      44 gallon drums of prune juice laced with Metamucil.

  • sumyungguy on 18/05/2025 - 18:57
    +6

    Flush flow rate can't be altered; get a new pan.

    • skillet on 21/05/2025 - 09:27

      Some toilet bowl are design to flush slow so it spew less into the air. The downside is you have to clean them manually more often.

  • lunchbox99 on 18/05/2025 - 19:00
    +3

    Your phaser is set to stun, not kill huh?

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 18/05/2025 - 19:03
    +11

    Invest in a poop knife.

  • pjetson on 18/05/2025 - 19:07
    +3

    gravity does most of the work

    Raise the cistern up higher?

    • JIMB0 on 18/05/2025 - 20:09
      +1

      Don't know why this got negged. It's the most obviously solution after checking that the cistern is filling up completely.

      • pegaxs on 18/05/2025 - 23:37
        +3

        Don't know why this got negged.

        Idiots… mostly idiots.

        It’s physics 101.

        • Mount the cistern up higher.
        • Mount larger capacity cistern
        • Check the valve isn’t obstructed/reduced
        • Check that water level is high enough inside the cistern
        • Put a larger diameter drop pipe on to increase flow.
        • SlickMick on 19/05/2025 - 10:38
          +6

          It's a good list, but I think the increase gravity option probably belongs on the bottom rather than the top, hence @pjetson's neg.
          (Wasn't me btw, I used all my negs on the morons saying you can do a u-turn from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout.)

          • JIMB0 on 19/05/2025 - 19:07

            @SlickMick: It depends on if its design issue or a maintenance issue. If it never worked properly then it should be high on the list, along with cistern capacity and pipe size. Someone might have mismatch the cistern and bowl from the start.

  • mitt on 18/05/2025 - 19:08
    +3

    Either the valve in your cistern is partially blocked/damaged or you will need a larger cistern/ mount the cistern higher up.

    If you take the top off the cistern & pull the release manually to its full travel does the flow increase?

  • Euphemistic on 18/05/2025 - 19:20
    +4

    That you donny?

    has high flushing pressure and easily clear out the bowel in one flush.

    Sounds like you're doing it wrong. The flush is to remove thw waste from the toilet, not your butt.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 18/05/2025 - 19:26
    +8

    Sounds like a mismatched pan & cistern.

    • jizmo on 18/05/2025 - 20:06

      Exactly my first thought.

    • Russ on 19/05/2025 - 21:58
      +1

      Could also be a poor pan design. The s-bend pipe on the toilet at my place has a rectangular cross-section, allowing most of the flush water to bypass what I'm trying to flush away. Really bad design.

  • Stewardo on 18/05/2025 - 20:04

    Pump has nothing to do with flush pressure, you just need a bigger cistern/toilet.
    Most project homes have small/cheap toilets.
    Stay away from Bunnings Aldi etc
    https://www.americanstandard.com.au/bathrooms/toilets/?order…

    • banana365 on 19/05/2025 - 16:56

      Are American Standard just a brand that also makes toilets to non-US standards? The reason I ask is that toilets in the US are renowned for being terrible for flushing and using a lot more water than toilets in the rest of the word.

  • SharedSugar on 18/05/2025 - 20:34
    +3

    Can you increase the fill height with the inlet valve? It might mean less total flushes and therefore less water.

    • Cheapo Moose on 19/05/2025 - 18:04

      This is what I did, increased the flush volume to the maximum that the cistern would allow. Made a big difference. No more double flushes for King Kong's finger.

  • Protractor on 18/05/2025 - 20:39
    -2

    The toilet at work however

    You're comparing apples & oranges shite shifters
    Different design dunny bowls and mains pressure
    Also, stop eating fibre.

    • banana365 on 19/05/2025 - 16:57
      +1

      Mains pressure is irrelevant. It legally has to come from the cistern. Flushing direct from mains would introduce a high risk of contamination of the water supply.

  • cashless on 18/05/2025 - 21:37
    +1

    No good trying to flush the answer out of OzBargain, you’ll be SOL, despite a huge reservoir of untapped potential.
    Have you tried looking at U-tube, or did that result in a block? There may be other outlets open to you, if you have a large enough deposit.
    Best to brush up on your exit options and be prepared for manual evacuation if you can’t get the flow right.
    If you feel drained as a result of all this crap, just sit and contemplate how much better you’ll feel if you get through this passage of your life.

  • dcep on 19/05/2025 - 01:36
    +2

    Just fill up a water bucket and pour it down upon flushing.

  • ForkSnorter on 19/05/2025 - 08:13
    +1

    Ask plumber. Get new toilet.

  • lilbudgie on 19/05/2025 - 08:49
    +2

    We replaced the system in my house and all that was available was the newer fandangled eco sort that use less water. Useless heap of crap it is just like the useless water saving shower head that you have to run under to get wet but I digress. Back to the toilet system I tried everything. One option was to use the really cheap two ply toilet paper but even that didn't work and was just twice as bad having to use it. The "fix" I eventually found is that when you flush you have to keep the button depressed for a good 7 or 8 seconds to pretty much empty the tank. This actually works quite well. All this eco friendly stuff is fine if it actually works but I think you have to use it twice as much which defeats the purpose

  • Rahonui on 19/05/2025 - 08:55
    +1

    Check the large valve that joins the cistern and pan. Very common for plumbers to get overzealous during install and putting way too much silicon in, partially blocking it. Easiest fix is to replace the big foam/rubber washer. If you fiddle around with it, loosen the bolts and separate the pan and cistern. Clean out all the old gunk with a knife or scraper, then put a new washer in and it will fix it

  • 2esc on 19/05/2025 - 09:57

    Bowl design makes a huge difference too. I replaced the bowl once but same cistern and doesn't flush anywhere near as well. Next i will definitely look at the design more.

  • outlander on 19/05/2025 - 10:36
    +1

    Go poop in the fields with the other buffalo

  • BigBirdy on 19/05/2025 - 10:46

    The secret to a clean bowl at home is clear your bowel at work

  • GordonD on 19/05/2025 - 11:09

    You've heard that you shouldn't leave your toothbrush uncovered in a bathroom where there's a toilet. Because when the toilet flushes, toilet water and whatever is in it ends up in the air and on everything. Even if the lid is down. Well, increase the pressure of the flush, and that effect is worse.

    • Ozymandias on 19/05/2025 - 15:13

      You're mostly right, but 'even if the lid is down'? How does that make any sense?

      • GordonD on 19/05/2025 - 18:35

        The seat doesn't seal against the rim of the bowl. There has to be a gap so that the air in the bowl can escape easily when the water is flushed into the bowl. The air in the bowl and whatever is in it gets pushed out at speed into the room through that gap. The fact the gap the air gets pushed out through is small when the seat is down means the air gets pushed out faster and whatever shits in that air gets distributed further.

        • Ozymandias on 19/05/2025 - 20:07
          +1

          Huh, you've actually sent me down a rabbit hole and happy to say I've been proven partially wrong - this 2024 study agrees with you that the toilet lid down doesn't prevent a lot of the particulate matter exiting the bowl, but it doesn't say anything about the speed of the plume increasing. It also only measured the contamination of surfaces directly in front of and beside the toilet, which - while you're right is still high even if the lid is down - wouldn't apply to a larger bathroom with more space between the toilet and sensitive surfaces. The diagram they have in the discussion section illustrates the vertical plumes that occur with the lid open rather than just contaminating the immediate space around the bowl.
          Basically, this was interesting to find out so thanks for the impetus, but I'm still going to close the lid when I flush.

        • sumyungguy on 19/05/2025 - 20:09

          All of my loos are fitted with OdourVac

    • tenpercent on 19/05/2025 - 15:22
      +2

      You know if someone farts near you and you smell it there's actual fecal particles entering your nose.

      • Protractor on 19/05/2025 - 16:18

        Could that explain why there's so many SFB clickbait posts on Ozb

      • ak47wong on 20/05/2025 - 14:12

        No thanks.

  • brad1-8tsi on 19/05/2025 - 13:49

    toilets are gravity flush. Apart from having the cistern higher up the wall or having more water in it you should ensure downstream of the poo is also clear of obstructions

  • mshanann on 19/05/2025 - 16:24
    +4

    You can’t adjust pressure, but you can adjust how much water is stored in the cistern and thus flush volume.

    https://bigblueplumbing.au/blog/adjusting-water-level-toilet…

    • JIMB0 on 19/05/2025 - 19:09

      Increasing the height of the water will increase the head pressure. This will result in greater dynamic pressure.

  • Muppet Detector on 19/05/2025 - 19:37

    How many people dreamed of being a toilet designer when they grew up?

    • Protractor on 19/05/2025 - 22:54

      One? Shane Jacobs?

  • fredk1000 on 19/05/2025 - 20:27

    Check the pipe between the cistern to the bowl or back of the bowl where the pipe goes into for obstructions.
    A full cistern emptying should be enough to give it a powerful flush, it should empty in a few seconds, if it is taking longer than say 10 seconds to empty there maybe something obstructing. Unless you are doing big poops with a bowl with a small diameter s bend and it is blocking easy.
    Maybe you need a poop knife or wooden spoon.
    Read here about it. :)
    https://www.reddit.com/r/MuseumOfReddit/comments/ke8skw/the_…

  • bryans on 19/05/2025 - 22:42

    If you push hard enough your log will shoot out like a torpedo and flush itself out.

  • endotherm on 20/05/2025 - 09:51
    +1

    Sounds like you need a Ferguson..

  • schwinn on 20/05/2025 - 12:28

    Modern cisterns have had their water volume usage reduced, as well as piping, in the name of saving water.

    I recently built and moved into my new house and had this exact problem. The newer toilets are all smaller, and even the “hole” where your poop gathers is smaller. Had a few blockages on my new toilets and had to reeducate the family to flush more frequently and in batches.

    Even when trying to find a replacement cistern for my old toilet, no one makes it that big anymore.

    • Roman Sandstorm on 20/05/2025 - 17:31

      I'm sure the Orange Man will get on to this. Like he has with showers. And dishwashers.

  • capslock janitor on 20/05/2025 - 20:12

    no pics?

    take off the flush buttons and lengthen the screws so it depresses more

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