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Personal Hygiene
How to Flush a British Toilet Download Article Co-authored by Dave Jones
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 References
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Flushing a Toilet with a Lever
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Flushing a Chain-Pull Toilet
|
Flushing a Dual Flush Toilet
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Q&A
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Tips
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This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 202,441 times.
British toilets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many of the older ones, especially those found in turn-of-the-century homes and Bed and Breakfasts, require a little know-how in order to flush them. In contrast, the newer dual flush models can be a bit tricky.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Flushing a Toilet with a Lever
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1 Sit on the toilet and make your deposit. Though many countries have “squat style” toilets, British toilets are almost always designed for sitting. In this aspect, they are usually similar to other Western style toilets. [1]XResearch source
2 Push down on the lever with your hand. Be sure that you push the lever as far down as it will go, but don’t hold it there for more than a second. Release it quickly after you feel it stop. Advertisement
3 Try again, if this didn’t work. If a single flush didn’t work, wait until the toilet refills itself, and try again. This time, try holding the lever at the bottom for a couple of seconds. Some older toilets require a bit longer for the tank to drain or fill.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Flushing a Chain-Pull Toilet
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1 Do your business. Sit on the toilet, drop your waste, and then dispose of your paper.
2 Look for the chain on the wall. Older British toilets often do not come with a lever. Instead, they have a chain, which is typically attached to the wall. [2]XResearch source
3 Pull the chain gently down. Don't pull too hard or you may snap the chain or lever at the top. If the water does not flow, or flows very slowly, you may need to try a quicker movement. Don’t pull hard; just increase your speed a bit. [3]XResearch source
4 Release the chain as soon as you hear or see water. The toilet will continue flushing. There is no need to hold the chain down, and doing so may cause the toilet to malfunction. [4]XResearch source
Should the toilet keep on running for more than a few minutes, flush again, and this time release the tension on the chain gently. (On a properly functioning toilet, you should be able to just let go, but older toilets may be in disrepair.)[5]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Flushing a Dual Flush Toilet
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1 Sit down and accomplish your task. Sit and relieve your bowels. Dispose of your toilet paper. Dual flush toilets are usually of a more modern variety.
2 Locate the buttons on the top of the toilet. Look for signs that show you which button is which. Some dual flush toilets have decals that tell you how much water each button offers. Others will have larger buttons for the larger flush and smaller buttons for the smaller flush. [6]XResearch source
In some cases, dual flush toilets will have up-and-down levers instead of buttons. If this is the case, look for signs that tell you whether to pull the lever up or push it down (based on whether you have deposited liquids or solids). [7]XResearch source
3 Push the appropriate button. You’ll need the smaller flush for liquids and the larger flush for solids. Be sure to push the button firmly, as far as it will go, but don’t hold it down for more than a second. [8]XResearch source
Dual flush toilets usually offer a .8 gallon flush and a 1.6 gallon flush. [9]XResearch source
4 Ensure the toilet bowl is empty before leaving. If the toilet bowl is not fully clean, simply flush the toilet again.
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Community Q&A
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Question Do I need to shut the lid while flushing? Community Answer It does not matter if you shut it or not. You can if you please, but you do not have to shut the lid before flushing it. Closing the lid, however, does prevent germs spreading, so is recommended. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 13
Question How do I fix a dual-flush toilet from continuously flushing? Community Answer If possible, lift the top of the cistern up. Sometimes this stops continuous flushing. However, you will not be able to do this in some public toilets where the toilet mechanics are hidden behind a panel. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
Question I'm British, what is the point of this tutorial? Flushing the toilet is easy! Community Answer This tutorial is most likely for immigrants or tourists who are coming to Britain and perhaps have never even encountered a flush toilet. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 30
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Tips
Before using an unfamiliar toilet, it’s a good idea to locate a plunger, just in case. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
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Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 202,441 times. 23 votes - 47% Co-authors: 33Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 202,441 Categories: Personal Hygiene
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup 23 votes - 47% Click a star to vote 47% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 33Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 202,441
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Download Article Co-authored by Dave Jones 
How to Properly Use a Plunger to Get Rid of Drain Clogs 
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Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 202,441 times. 23 votes - 47% Co-authors: 33 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 202,441 Categories: Personal Hygiene 
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1 Sit on the toilet and make your deposit. Though many countries have “squat style” toilets, British toilets are almost always designed for sitting. In this aspect, they are usually similar to other Western style toilets. [1] 
2 Push down on the lever with your hand. Be sure that you push the lever as far down as it will go, but don’t hold it there for more than a second. Release it quickly after you feel it stop. Advertisement 
3 Try again, if this didn’t work. If a single flush didn’t work, wait until the toilet refills itself, and try again. This time, try holding the lever at the bottom for a couple of seconds. Some older toilets require a bit longer for the tank to drain or fill. Advertisement 
1 Do your business. Sit on the toilet, drop your waste, and then dispose of your paper. 
2 Look for the chain on the wall. Older British toilets often do not come with a lever. Instead, they have a chain, which is typically attached to the wall. [2] 
3 Pull the chain gently down. Don't pull too hard or you may snap the chain or lever at the top. If the water does not flow, or flows very slowly, you may need to try a quicker movement. Don’t pull hard; just increase your speed a bit. [3] 
4 Release the chain as soon as you hear or see water. The toilet will continue flushing. There is no need to hold the chain down, and doing so may cause the toilet to malfunction. [4] 
1 Sit down and accomplish your task. Sit and relieve your bowels. Dispose of your toilet paper. Dual flush toilets are usually of a more modern variety. 
2 Locate the buttons on the top of the toilet. Look for signs that show you which button is which. Some dual flush toilets have decals that tell you how much water each button offers. Others will have larger buttons for the larger flush and smaller buttons for the smaller flush. [6] 
3 Push the appropriate button. You’ll need the smaller flush for liquids and the larger flush for solids. Be sure to push the button firmly, as far as it will go, but don’t hold it down for more than a second. [8] 
Community Answer It does not matter if you shut it or not. You can if you please, but you do not have to shut the lid before flushing it. Closing the lid, however, does prevent germs spreading, so is recommended. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 13 
Community Answer If possible, lift the top of the cistern up. Sometimes this stops continuous flushing. However, you will not be able to do this in some public toilets where the toilet mechanics are hidden behind a panel. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7