Have you ever wondered what happens to your toilet during a Wisconsin power outage? Can you still flush it, or are you in for an unpleasant surprise?
While the answer depends on your plumbing system, our team at Watters Plumbing will help clear things up. Whether it’s routine maintenance or an emergency situation, we have you covered, even when the lights go out throughout the Fox Valley.
Can You Flush a Toilet Without Power?
The answer depends on the type of toilet you have, but in most cases, you can flush your toilet without power. Here’s how it works:
Gravity-Flush Toilets
For the majority of standard gravity-flush toilets, the good news is that they rely on gravity and water pressure, not electricity. This means you can continue to use and flush them as long as there’s water in the tank.
The amazing thing about gravity-flush toilets is that they do not rely on electricity to refill the tank. When the lever is pressed to flush away waste, a valve will open in the tank for water to fall into the bowl, ready to flush again.
Pressure-Assisted Toilets
Pressure-assisted toilets, which use a combination of water and air pressure to flush, might be a different story. These systems could be affected by a power outage, especially if they rely on electric pumps to maintain pressure.
You should avoid flushing pressure-assisted toilets without power.
Electric Toilets and Bidets
If you have a high-tech toilet or bidet that requires electricity for flushing, bidet functions, or other features, a power outage will likely render it inoperable until the power is restored.
Homes with Well Water Systems
If your home relies on a well water system, a power outage can interrupt the water supply since the electric pump won’t work. This can affect your ability to flush the toilet. In these cases, it’s helpful to keep a bucket of water handy. You can manually pour water into the toilet bowl to create the flushing action.
Multi-Story Buildings
In multi-story buildings, if the water supply depends on electric pumps to maintain pressure at higher levels, a power outage could impact flushing ability. However, this is more of an issue in high-rise buildings than in typical residential homes found throughout Wisconsin.
What to Do if You Experience Toilet Issues During a Power Outage
If you find yourself unable to flush the toilet during a power outage, don’t panic. Keep a bucket of water nearby and pour it into the bowl to flush manually. This simple trick can save the day until the power is restored.
If you know your power will be restored to your home sooner rather than later, and if you feel comfortable, you can also wait to flush your toilet until your house has power. Please make sure that you do not have too much waste in your toilet while you wait, leading to potential plumbing issues such as a backed up toilet or plumbing.
If the power is out and your plumbing system relies on a sewage ejector system, you could run into issues. Without power, the sewage ejector pump won’t function, causing the basin to fill up and eventually stop ejecting sewage.
For homes with a well, this may not pose a problem since the water supply will also be interrupted, preventing toilets from refilling. However, if you’re on municipal water, you’ll need to be cautious. Avoid using any plumbing that drains into the sewage ejector system, typically affecting plumbing fixtures in the basement or lowest level of your home.
If you’re unsure about how your system works or need advice on managing it during a power outage, don’t hesitate to ask one of our Watters Plumbing experts. We’re happy to inspect your system or provide guidance the next time we visit your home.
Do You Have a Plumbing Emergency?
If you’re dealing with not being able to flush your toilet, or have run into an emergency plumbing issue—we can help!
At Watters Plumbing, we have more than 60 years of experience providing 24-hour emergency plumbing services and regular maintenance to the Fox Cities, Green Bay, and Oshkosh areas.
Call us at (920) 204-7517 if you are experiencing an emergency plumbing issue.
