Toilet/plumbing questions

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pahntr760

Active member
Our toilet isn't working right. It doesn't ever have the suction/vacuum effect. We have to use a plunger to induce the suction. No problem draining, just the trap way doesn't want to empty without help.

We replaced all of the tank guts, it works fine, but we are still not working right.

Could the trapway be the issue? Do I just need to get a new toilet, altogether?

Again, with a simple half hearted stroke of the plunger, it will flush anything correctly. I don't think the drain itself is plugged. We just never get the 'whoosh'.
 
The best way to see if it is a problem with pores or an obstruction.

Dump a mop bucket of water in the bowl semi fast, if it sucks out. Try again with toilet paper. if it flushes again, You probably have a problem with mineral build up in the pores.

Make sure they water level in the tanks is as it should be.HIGH>

clean all the pores under the rim of the toilet with a wire hanger, make sure they are all open.

If it is the old style it may have One LARGE hole at the bottom. make sure it is open.

this done put about half a bottle of THE WORKS toilet bowl cleaner through the overflow tube in the tank, let set overnight and flush.

IF you still have an issue try opening your sewer clean out. If it flushes properly now you may have a venting issue.
 
I cleaned all the pores out. And especially the big one on the from of the bowl that starts the cyclone. It worked great for about 4-5 flushes. Took TP and all. Now, it's back to the same. I wonder if this pot is just too clogged up and needs replaced? Too much hard water and minerals buildup to get them all out...?

About 2 gallons of water will flush it easy. I think the internals are too clogged to push the water fast enough....???
 
They don't build them like they used to, and most folks don't like to spend money on a toilet.

When my ex brother-in-law and his wife were remodeling and shopping for plumbing fixtures, she questioned the guy at Menard's about the price of the toilets, they ranged from $100 up to $250 on floor display models. She said he looked at her and smiled, and said... "It depends on whether you want it all to go down in 1 flush or 5 flushes. The cheaper you get, the more times you're gonna have to flush it."

Lot of truth to that bit of wisdom too.


Glen's info up there would be dead on the money, and well worth a try. If it doesn't work, invest in a new toilet.

The one big hole at bottom would suggest it is a "Siphon Jet" design, if it lacks the big hole at the bottom, it is a "Siphon" design. Siphon Jet designs are still available, they are generally however, on the upper end of the aforementioned price spectrum.
 
The main drain has the large hole with a smaller one in the front of that hole.

I held the float down, and let the tank fill way up. The current one doesn't fill the tank up to the 1/4" below the fill tube. It flushed like a champ. I replaced the sewer clean out cap. Still works.

So I am off to ACE to get a different filler. Going to get some good muric acid to get the scale flushed out. That outta do it!
 
use The Works Toilet bowl cleaner instead. Put it through the over flow tube tonight before you go to bed. NEVER USE ACID! It can cause damage to other plumbing.
 
Over the years being a plumber I've come across many different things that have hindered a toilets ability to flush. The cleaning of those holes is a important part, running a closet auger down it isn't a bad idea too. Since I switched to TOTO toilets in my house and my customers, I've experience less problems. Good luck
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760The main drain has the large hole with a smaller one in the front of that hole.

I held the float down, and let the tank fill way up. The current one doesn't fill the tank up to the 1/4" below the fill tube. It flushed like a champ. I replaced the sewer clean out cap. Still works.

So I am off to ACE to get a different filler. Going to get some good muric acid to get the scale flushed out. That outta do it!



Uhmmmm, yeah... one of those water saving devices that renders the toilet inoperable, wherein you have to flush it 3 - 4 times to get it to flush, wherein you use 3 times as much water as you would have with the old non-water saving fill valve.
 
Oh it's flushing now. I've got the tank filling to about 2 gallons. It flushes right nice. I think I've all but bypassed the water saving stuff.
 
Get a 22 caliber nylon bore brush and clean the holes under the rim. Carefully, it is porcelain not a steel barrel, and don't stick it so far up in the hole you could lose it, there is no way to get it back out.
 
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