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Over time, the flapper can wear out or become out of position, so it no longer forms a tight seal. When you push down the toilet handle, the flapper raises to briefly allow water to pass from the tank to the bowl, creating the flush. Worn-out flapper – The flapper is the round, rubber part that creates a water-tight seal in the toilet tank.
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Using a trusty plunger will often dislodge and push the blockage through the trap, returning the toilet’s flushing power to normal. Because of its shape, the trap is also where toilet paper and other contents can get stuck, creating a partial or total clog. The majority of toilet clogs occur in the trap, which is the curved channel in the toilet base that holds a small amount of water to prevent sewer gases from coming up from the drain.
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