Yes, You Can Flush A Toilet Without A Handle In A Pinch. Here's How

For such an essential home fixture, there are many things that can go wrong with the "John." The toilet can get clogged, the seat can crack, it can leak, the water might run continuously, and so on. Another possible mishap involves the handle. It can break and completely fall off, begging the question, can you flush a toilet without a handle? The short and simple answer is yes, you can. Problem solving a toilet that won't flush correctly due to a broken handle is quite simple. All you need to do is lift the chain or the rubber piece inside the toilet tank. This causes the toilet to operate in the same way it would do if you were to push the handle down to flush.

Toilet handles tend to fail and sometimes break off as a result of corrosion of the handle arm, which is often made of metal. This is the thin, long, stick-like component that connects to the handle and sits inside the tank, where it constantly comes in contact with water. In many cases, the handle can malfunction while still attached to the arm. Whether the handle is attached or not, knowing exactly how it operates to flush a toilet can help you understand how to manually flush when the handle malfunctions.

So how exactly does a handle flush a toilet? A standard toilet handle arm attaches to a lift chain, which attaches to a rubber piece called a flapper –- all of which are inside the toilet tank. The flapper is located at the bottom of the tank and covers the flush valve beneath it. Lifting this flapper causes the water to pour down from the tank and into the bowl. Normally, pressing the handle down pulls up on the arm, the arm pulls up on the chain, the chain lifts the flapper, and the toilet flushes. Should the handle malfunction, you can still flush the toilet by manipulating these inner parts. First, remove the tank lid, and then look inside the tank and locate the lift chain. If it's still attached to the handle arm and flapper, pull it up. If the chain has detached from the arm, the flapper, or both, you'll have to lift the flapper by reaching into the tank and pulling it up. That's it! Just be sure to hold the chain or flapper up until you hear it flush completely.

In general, a broken handle isn't one of the signs you need to call a plumber for your bathroom. Whether you need a whole new toilet handle, a new arm, or just a chain, these items are usually inexpensive and can be easily fixed yourself. However, before purchasing new parts and following the ultimate guide to replacing a faulty toilet handle, you can easily flush the toilet manually by lifting the flapper, either by hand or by pulling on the lift chain. Remember to wash your hands when you're done!