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Janet Allinger

Broken Toilet Handle

The toilet handle has one job: to open the flapper and allow the tank water to release and flush out the contents of the bowl via pressure. If the handle breaks, no flush. A handle can fail outside of the tank, where it simply snaps off, or inside, where the arm connected to the flapper chain breaks. The chain can also slip off the arm, which will give the impression that the handle is broken. Check the chain first, and simply slide it back on the arm and flush. If the arm breaks, you'll need to pull the chain to open the flapper to flush. If the handle breaks on the inside, simply lift the arm to flush. Handle replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to find in the plumbing department at a home center.