Toilets contain a push button or lever on their side to control the flushing mechanism. These are located on the top side of the cisterns and are of metal or plastic material.
Push button toilet flush stuck down because of the faulty flush valve, bad screws, poor handling and use, and float valve problems. In addition, it happens due to broken cables that operate the flushing mechanism.
The design of the push button depends on the style and brand of the toilets. Many people complain that they get stuck, remain lower, and do not come back when you press them from flushing.
| Causes | Solutions |
| Faulty flush valve | Replace flush valves |
| Bad screws | Wiggle the button from the sides |
| Poor handling and use | Avoid hard pressing |
| Float valve problem | Replace float assembly |
| Broken cables | Replace chain |
Faulty flush valve
The flush valve is on the bowl’s lower side and contains rubber seals. These valves control the water movement in the bowl and keep the tank full when it is not in use.
Pressing the push button opens the seals and allows water movement. The rubber seals create an airtight connection and do not allow water to drip into the bowl.
The rubber flap pulls up when you press the flush button to flush toilets. Sometimes the flapper valves become faulty, and the buttons do not return to their original position.
The seals are made of rubber material more vulnerable to deterioration than other durable materials. Long-term water exposure causes the rubber material to lose its flexibility and original integrity.
These become loose and cannot make the water-tight seal at the end of the cisterns and control water flow. The faulty flapper valves also increase the water waste because it keeps dripping into the bowl and emptying the tank.
The fungus can also come on these seals and cause the deterioration of rubber material. Sometimes, dirty water comes from the plumbing system because of clogged and rusty pipes.
You can inspect the interior valve assembly by opening the cistern’s lid. Open the lid and locate the float valves in the bottom corner.
Turn off the water supply and remove water from the tank as much as possible to detect assembly damage. Remove the warped and cracked rubber seal from the bottom corner and install the new ones there.
I faced these issues in my toilet, but I preferred to call the plumber instead of pressing the push button several times because it could break the other components.
Bad screws
Screws are located on the end of the push button to keep them in their place. These screws become loose and cannot support them properly.
These do not return to their original position when you release them after flushing. The buttons also become loose because of these screws and get stuck.
These are daily and frequently used items in your home, and their screws become loose.
Most of these screws are metal types made of chromium or steel. The water in cisterns increases the risk of rust on metal screws.
However, the issue also comes from poor and incorrect installation of these screws. The incorrect installation makes them loose, and these can come off from their position.
The poor fixing causes their displacement, and these cannot keep the button at its original place. People call the plumbing expert quickly to resolve the issue, but I prefer to wiggle it on the sides so it can return.
Sometimes, these can come back when you wiggle them from the sides. Call plumbers and invest money in repairs if you cannot resolve the problem at home.
Poor handling and use
The toilet parts are fragile and need proper handling and care for their proper use. For example, push button toilet flush stick down after flushing and do not return because of incorrect use and mishandling.
Many people exert pressure on them and press them hard. Excessive pressure can disturb their assembly, and these can get stuck at a specific position.
Many times, children make them faulty while playing with these buttons. They push them frequently and exert force on them, which can cause their malfunction.
Poor handling and cleaning can cause dust to accumulate around their sides, which can cause a problem in their functioning. In addition, these cannot return because dust and other foreign particles hinder their smooth movement.
It is better to clean the upper side of the cisterns with water to remove dust from them. Avoid pressing them hardly and frequently because it can make them faulty and increase water wastage.
Float valve problem
The fill valve contains the float assembly for water refilling at certain levels, preventing them from overflowing and dripping on the floors.
It is connected to the fill valve, allowing its opening to fill the tank. The water from the supply valves of the plumbing system enters the cisterns once the fill valves open.
The float assembly slowly returns to its original position when the tanks are full. Sometimes the float assembly becomes faulty, or the water pressure in the supply valve is increased, which causes quick tank refilling.
The push button toilet flush gets stuck in the pressed position because of faulty float assembly and quick refilling. In addition, the buttons cannot return to their original position because of stuck valves.
The valves can also get stuck because of limescale buildup on their surface. These are submerged in water so minerals from hard water can reside on their surface and make them faulty.
Lower the water pressure from the main supply line to reduce the refilling time and adequately release the flushing mechanism. You can replace the faulty float valve assembly by opening the water tank lid.
Broken cables
The cables are connected with the push buttons to perform their flushing mechanism. These cables connect these small components to the flush valves.
The cables run inside the cistern, and their primary function is to pull the flush valve. These cables pull the flush valve when you press the buttons.
The flush valve then allows the water to move from the cisterns to the bowl and return to its original position. Many people complain that these remain stuck in the pressed position and do not come back to their original location.
The issue comes from broken cables that no longer control their upward and downward motion. In addition, these can also get stuck and do not allow them to release.
The cables are made of metal material which can corrode or break easily. Moreover, the issue also comes due to the incorrect length of the chains that pull the flush valve up.
The connected chains are more vulnerable to breaking when toilets are present in high-traffic areas and are in more use. In addition, frequent button pressing for flushing and daily use increases the chances of broken cables.
Open the tank lid to inspect the chain and identify its problems. You can also add the new cables if these are of shorter lengths and cannot correctly engage both components.
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