Can You Flush The Toilet When The Power Is Out?

Why You May Think You Can’t Flush

Many modern toilets rely on electricity to power the water pump and control valves. This leads some to believe that they won’t be able to flush without power.

According to https://homecontrolsblog.com/do-smart-toilets-need-electricity/, “Most smart toilets require electricity to operate their features. Power outages could render some functions unusable.” This dependence on electricity is a common source of confusion when the power goes out.

How Gravity-Based Toilets Work

Gravity-based toilets rely on gravity, not electricity, to flush waste and refill the tank. Here’s how they work:

The tank is filled with water from the supply line. When you flush, the flush valve or flapper opens and the water in the tank rushes down into the bowl. This creates a siphoning action that pulls the waste out of the bowl and into the sewer line. No electricity is required for this flushing action – gravity creates the pressure needed to empty the tank and flush the toilet.

After flushing, the tank refills with water from the supply line thanks to gravity. The tank fills to a preset level, then the fill valve shuts off the water. Once again, no electricity is required. The tank refills and the toilet is reset for the next flush, all through the power of gravity.

So in summary, gravity toilets rely on gravity alone to flush waste and refill the tank. No electric pump is needed. The siphoning action created by gravity provides the pressure for a strong flush. This makes gravity toilets reliable even during a power outage when the electric supply is disrupted.

When You Can Still Flush

If you have a gravity toilet that relies on the force of water flowing down from the tank to flush the bowl, you may still be able to flush during a power outage. This is because gravity toilets depend on water pressure from the city water supply rather than an electric pump. As long as the city water supply still has pressure, the tank can refill and flush normally.

For a gravity toilet to flush during an outage, the water supply must meet these conditions:

• Your home must be connected to a municipal water supply, not a private well.
• The city water system must still have pressure and be flowing.
• Your home’s main water line must have pressure.
• Your toilet’s tank must have water in it.

Provided these conditions are met, you can flush a gravity toilet as normal during a power outage. The tank will refill more slowly without electric assistance, but a full flush should be possible each time.

When You Can’t Flush

In high-rise buildings, water pumps are needed to bring water to higher floors. No electricity means no flushing.

Because high-rise buildings rely on electric pumps to push water up to apartments on higher floors, a power outage will result in loss of water pressure and make flushing impossible (https://www.fsresidential.com/washington-dc/news-events/articles/how-your-high-rise-can-respond-and-prepare-for-bla/). Without electricity, there is no power for the pumps to operate. This means even gravity-based toilets that don’t require a pump will be rendered useless, as there is no water supply to refill the tank.

In summary, if you live in a high-rise building, you will not be able to flush your toilet during a power outage. Make sure you are prepared with backup sanitation plans.

Conserving Water

During a power outage, it’s important to conserve water to avoid overloading septic tanks or wastewater treatment plants. Only flush when absolutely necessary. Here are some tips:

If the toilet doesn’t flush, remove waste using gloves and single-use bags. Avoid flushing unnecessarily. For liquid waste, pour a bucket of water into the bowl to manually flush instead of using the lever.

Take brief “military” style showers using minimal water. Avoid baths which require more water. Turn off faucets while brushing teeth or shaving.

Don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine. Wash essential dishes and clothes by hand using minimal water.

Drink bottled water or boil water for consumption. Avoid tap water to conserve water pumped from wells or water treatment plants.

Fill spare containers with water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene in case water needs to be shut off.

Check for plumbing leaks and turn off water to outdoor spigots. Dripping faucets waste large volumes of water.

If you have warning of an outage, fill bathtubs with water to use for flushing toilets. This avoids wasting clean water.

Follow guidance from local water authorities. Mandatory conservation measures may be enacted during outages.

Conserving water maintains sanitation and ensures adequate supply for priorities like drinking, cooking, and hygiene.

Manual Flush Options

For those with electronic toilets that rely on electricity to power the flushing mechanism, there are a few methods to manually fill the tank and flush when the power is out:

You can pour water directly into the toilet bowl to flush. Use a bucket or large container to gather water, then steadily pour it into the bowl until the water level rises high enough to push everything down the drain. Typically 1-3 gallons of water is needed for a partial flush, while 4-6 gallons will provide a full flush ¹.

Another option is to fill the toilet tank itself. Remove the tank lid and use a bucket to transfer water from the tub, sink, or other source into the tank. Once full, the toilet can be flushed normally by lifting or depressing the flush lever/button. The key is ensuring enough water volume gets into the tank to fully activate the flushing siphons. Aim for at least 1.5 gallons in the tank for a partial flush and 3 gallons for a full flush ².

For extreme situations without indoor water access, water can be gathered outdoors in clean containers and manually added to the toilet tank or bowl. Just be sure to avoid using unsanitary water sources.

While manual flushing takes more effort, it allows toilets to be used normally during power outages. Just remember to conserve water and only flush when necessary.

Maintaining Sanitation

When flushing isn’t possible due to a power outage, it’s important to maintain proper sanitation to prevent the spread of illnesses. Here are some tips for sanitation when toilet flushing is not an option:

Line your toilet bowl with a trash bag or bucket to collect waste. Double bagging with plastic grocery bags inside a small trash can creates a makeshift toilet. After each use, securely tie off the bags and set aside until trash collection resumes (Washington State Department of Health).

Portable camping toilets provide a sanitary waste collection option and often have chemical treatments to help control odor. Make sure to empty and clean portable toilets regularly.

Dig a latrine or cat hole at least 200 feet away from any water sources to deposit human waste if no other options are available. Cover waste with dirt after each use.

Wash hands thoroughly after using the makeshift toilet and before preparing food. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Take measures to control odors from waste collection areas. Sprinkle baking soda or cat litter into bags or buckets. Ventilate areas frequently by opening windows or turning on battery-powered fans.

Properly disposing of waste protects the health of your family and community when standard flush toilets are not operational.

When Power May Be Restored

One key thing to do to find out when power may be restored after an outage is to contact your local electric utility company. Most utilities have outage maps on their websites showing estimated restoration times for different areas. You can check these sites for updates on when service might resume in your neighborhood. However, these estimated times can change as crews assess damage and tackle repairs, so continued patience may be required.

Utility companies also often have phone hotlines to report outages and get information on restoration progress. Calling in for an update periodically can help provide a sense of when your home may regain power. Some utilities also offer outage alert texts or emails to notify customers as progress is made.

Listening closely to local radio and television outlets reporting on the outage may also yield helpful tips on power restoration timelines across the region. As service begins returning in some spots, it signals that crews are making headway. News reports frequently include information direct from utility spokespersons on when electricity is slated to come back on in different locations.

Ultimately, keeping in touch with your utility provider and monitoring local news for updates will help you get a sense of when flushing capabilities may return after an outage. But companies caution that changing conditions could alter estimates. So staying patient and preparing backup sanitation plans is wise.

Cite: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=43915

Seeking Plumbing Help

If you experience plumbing issues following an extended power outage, it may be time to contact a professional plumber for assistance. Signs that your plumbing system has been damaged and requires a plumber’s expertise include:

• Water leaks – If you notice water leaking from pipes, joints, valves or the water heater, this likely indicates a crack or break that needs repair.
• No water – Having no water come out of faucets could mean a pump issue or frozen/burst pipes.
• Low water pressure – Reduced flow from faucets after power is restored may be from particle buildup or air in the lines and require professional flushing.
• Sewage backups – Sewage backing up into sinks, tubs or toilets is a serious issue requiring immediate repair.
• Strange noises – Unusual gurgling, dripping or rumbling sounds from pipes can signify problems a plumber needs to address.
• Lingering smell – If there is a musty or rotten egg odor coming from drains, this could mean sewer gas is entering and needs to be contained.

The longer plumbing problems go unresolved after a power outage, the worse the damage is likely to get. Call a licensed plumber as soon as possible if you notice any of these issues to prevent costlier repairs down the road. They can properly diagnose issues, fix damage, and get your plumbing working safely again after an outage. Checking for hidden problems like pinhole leaks in pipes is also a good idea. See sources like https://happyhiller.com/blog/quickly-call-an-emergency-plumber-when-this-happens-2/ for more on when to call a plumber urgently.

Staying Safe During Outages

When the power goes out, there are some key safety precautions to take. According to the Red Cross, you should stay at least 35 feet away from any downed power lines and report them immediately by calling 911 [1]. Downed power lines can energize the ground around them and cause serious injury if you make contact.

Another major risk during an outage is carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that over 30 people die each year from improper generator use after a power outage [2]. Never run a generator inside your home or in other enclosed areas. Keep generators outdoors and away from open windows to prevent dangerous fumes from entering the home.

It’s also important to check refrigerated food for spoilage and throw out anything that has been above 40°F for 2 or more hours [3]. With the freezer closed, food should stay safe for about 48 hours. Avoid eating foods from the refrigerator to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

In general, take steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, keep away from downed power lines, refrain from driving (traffic lights may be out), and be extra cautious using alternative light and cooking sources until power can be restored.