Toilet not flushing properly

[mrbreezeet1]

Sometimes it will, sometimes it won't.
l don't know what else to do.
There is plenty of water filling the tank, it just don't have the power to flush all the way.
Even if I hold the flush handle down, it don't work proper. So it's not the flapper closing too soon.
I even stuck a wire up in the holes around the rim, but they seemed OK.
Never had problems before, and I have been here over 5 years.
Any other Ideas,
Thanks,

 

[pattenp]

The little holes around the rim are for flushing. They also provide water for rinsing and filling the bowl after a flush. Sounds like you may have a partial clog. The water flowing out of the bowl creates a vacuum to **** out the water and waste from the bowl.

Edit: actually at first I explained that wrong, but corrected. I do believe you may have a partial clog of the waste going out.



*

 

[tractordude]

Lime build up, pour santeen down the overflow tube, and in the tank to clean it.
Santeen is sold at local hardware stores like ace, I have never seen it at the big box places

 

[Neverfly]

As patten said, check the jet hole.

If not that- You probably have a blockage in the main sewer line. This will cause that on again, off again issue.
As the pipe sits, it will slowly drain past the clog and the water level retained in the pipe will drop down to where a single flush will simply fill the pipe and you won't see anything abnormal at the commode.
But if you flush when the pipe is pretty well filled, then you'll see the toilet trying to push water into occupied space and not succeeding. You walk away- it drains a bit- you flush- seems normal again.

Five years is more than enough time for roots to grow into a pipe.

 

[lilredex]

The holes around the rim set up the swirling motion for a complete flush, and need probing occasionally, as you have done.

More ideas here.

http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Slow-Toilet

 

[pattenp]

Yeah.. that's what I meant, the main out of the toilet. Not the jets.

As patten said, check the jet hole.

If not that- You probably have a blockage in the main sewer line. This will cause that on again, off again issue.
As the pipe sits, it will slowly drain past the clog and the water level retained in the pipe will drop down to where a single flush will simply fill the pipe and you won't see anything abnormal at the commode.
But if you flush when the pipe is pretty well filled, then you'll see the toilet trying to push water into occupied space and not succeeding. You walk away- it drains a bit- you flush- seems normal again.

Five years is more than enough time for roots to grow into a pipe.

 

[Neverfly]

Yeah.. that's what I meant, the main out of the toilet. Not the jets.

I'm sorry, I'm horrid. I saw you talking about the rim holes (That just sounds really bad) and I kinda stopped really reading the post at that point. I assumed (yeah...) that you were telling him to clean the bowls jet hole (Isn't that much better than Rim Hole?) which is what pushes a blast at the base of the bowl to really get things moving.

Apologies Patten, you're onnit doggonit. You did not explain wrong, I failed basic reading.

 

[Exceller8]

I no longer try and figure out the problem. I just replace the valve and flapper and call it a day. Did one a couple weeks ago and the whole thing cost $12.

 

[chrisa7164]

I had the problem a couple years ago. I kept snaking the pipes..wouldn't help very much. Turns out the pipe from the house to the tank was "Orangeburg" which was popular back in the day. It had delaminated in the center. Luckily it was only about an 8 foot run from the cast iron stub into the tank. Replaced it with pvc and haven't had a problem since.

 

[jkwilson]

A toilet will flush if you just dump a bucket of water in the bowl. If it won't flush doing that, the problem is either in the drain or vent line. My first step when trying to fix something is to narrow it down as much as I can.

If you have kids or grandkids, don't overlook a toy or something else stuck in the trap. Fished a toy phone out in my sister's bathroom after they had pulled the toilet and rented a drain auger to clear the line all the way to the street.

 

[Neverfly]

I had the problem a couple years ago. I kept snaking the pipes..wouldn't help very much. Turns out the pipe from the house to the tank was "Orangeburg" which was popular back in the day. It had delaminated in the center. Luckily it was only about an 8 foot run from the cast iron stub into the tank. Replaced it with pvc and haven't had a problem since.

Minor nitpick:
Orangeburg was not popular, it was used during WWII to conserve iron for the war effort.
Before I was a mechanic, I was a licensed plumber... and yes, I did time with Roto-Rooter (I will never do that, again.)

 

[mrbreezeet1]

it seemed to flush OK dumping a bucket o water down it.

 

[HoosierMark]

Ok if it flushes OK when you dump the bucket of water in the bowl that means the water is not entering the bowl fast enough to start the siphoning action. Your rim jets are probably blocked. I have property that gets lime deposits in the rim. I take a coat hanger or ice pick and push it up thru the holes to open them. Also if you have hole in the bottom at the front of the bowl it may be blocked also. They do make a solution that cleans the deposites away but I have not had great success with it. I usually try cleaning it a time or two and then replace the toilet. It is not cost effective to keep messing with it.

 

[pattenp]

You didn't read it wrong. My wording made since in my head when I typed it but not after I read it again after posting. I think my edits were done after you read it. So no apologies needed.

I'm sorry, I'm horrid. I saw you talking about the rim holes (That just sounds really bad) and I kinda stopped really reading the post at that point. I assumed (yeah...) that you were telling him to clean the bowls jet hole (Isn't that much better than Rim Hole?) which is what pushes a blast at the base of the bowl to really get things moving.

Apologies Patten, you're onnit doggonit. You did not explain wrong, I failed basic reading.

 

[pattenp]

Well... that's your fix. Just keep a full bucket of water by the toilet.

it seemed to flush OK dumping a bucket o water down it.

 

[wedge40]

Just my 2 cents. I had the same intermitten issue with my toilet. Then I started checking the tank and it seems sometimes the tank would be full and other times it had leaked down slowly. Slow enough that the fill switch would not kick on. I've been checking each time and as long the tank is full it flushes fine.

Wedge

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is it a newer toilet and do you use the tablets that you put in the tank ?

 

[Radio Ron w4ron]

While we're talking about problems flushing toilets...
2 of our 3 wil not always flush if there's solid matter (poop) in it,
but flushes fine if it's just liquid.
If I hole down the lever after pushing sometimes it'll go OK, sometimes...



.

 

[HMCFab9]

Not trying to hijack his post.... but I also have a question. My tank leaks into the bowl. I put a new flapper in it, checked that the chain holding it isn't too tight & cleaned around where the flapper sits.
Could there be a crack somewhere that I can't see? What else do I try? I've been shutting the water valve off every time to save water 'til I get it fixed. Any ideas?

 

[Shadowdog500]

This Dawn dish soap trick fixed my slow flushing toilette:

Chris

 

[HoosierMark]

As the owner of many many toilets in apartments, I have learned way to much about them. So here is some experience. The newer low water consumption toilets do not always clear the bowl of debris. Holding the handle keeps the flapper open and allows all of the water in the tank to enter the bowl and usually pushes everything thru. Some of my toilets have the old large tanks but have plastic round restrictors in the tank to limit the amount that exits when the flap opens. I have cut large openings in these and the tenants have no problems anymore due to using more water.
I have put colored bowl cleaners in to tanks and waited, if the bowl water starts changing color, it usually is the flapper that needs to be replaced. If you have replaced the flapper and found your tank is still slowly draining, check carefully around the plastic lip it rests on. I have found small scratches in them causing leaks (what caused the scratch I have no idea). If you have a scratch you need to take the tank off and put a new piece on. Just be carefull to not overtighten the nuts that hold the tank to the bowl, you can crack the tank. Better to need to tighten it more if it leaks then to crack it. Hope this info about toilets helps, I learned from a smart old plumber about them and it has saved me time and money for many years.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Well... that's your fix. Just keep a full bucket of water by the toilet.

 

[G_P]

it seemed to flush OK dumping a bucket o water down it.

Dump a full 5 gallon bucket down the toilet. As soon as it finishes "flushing" follow up with a second full 5 gallon bucket.

If there is a clog holding water back dumping 10 gallons down the line should find it.

Do you have a cleanout anywhere on the outside of the house? wouldnt hurt to open it if you do and check for standing water in the line.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Just my 2 cents. I had the same intermitten issue with my toilet. Then I started checking the tank and it seems sometimes the tank would be full and other times it had leaked down slowly. Slow enough that the fill switch would not kick on. I've been checking each time and as long the tank is full it flushes fine.

Wedge

I will check that,

Is it a newer toilet and do you use the tablets that you put in the tank ?

No, it is older, I have put tablets a few times, but not always.

This Dawn dish soap trick fixed my slow flushing toilette:

Chris

I will check it out.

I found a few of the holes in the rim were not open, one looks like it was never drilled open, or how ever they do it.
I tried to get some stuff at the hardware, to put in the overflow tube, but they did not know what I was talking about.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I will check that,

No, it is older, I have put tablets a few times, but not always.

I will check it out.

I found a few of the holes in the rim were not open, one looks like it was never drilled open, or how ever they do it.
I tried to get some stuff at the hardware, to put in the overflow tube, but they did not know what I was talking about.

They may be blocked of with calcification. May be beyond Dawn, I hear muriatic (swimming pool) acid will work on that. Perhaps CLR will work.

Put vinegar on it and see if it foams, if it does, it's calcified.


If it is one of those old 5 gallon toilette from the 70s that actually worked I would try to fix it. If it was one of those pieces of junk from the 80s that never flushed well I would probably use this as an excuse to get the one that flushes a bunch of golf balls, they aren't that expensive.

Chris

 

[mds5951]

Get some "glug" made by oatey/hercules. That stuff dissolves hair and all kind of nasty stuff and is really safe. If that doesn't work get some "sizzle" also made by the same. It is some nasty stuff however. You will have to go to a plumbing shop and most likely do some sweet talking because it is not for retail sale.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Get some "glug" made by oatey/hercules. That stuff dissolves hair and all kind of nasty stuff and is really safe. If that doesn't work get some "sizzle" also made by the same. It is some nasty stuff however. You will have to go to a plumbing shop and most likely do some sweet talking because it is not for retail sale.

Is the "glug" and "sizzle" both not for retail sale, or just the sizzle?
Do I just pour it in the overflow tube and let it sit, or do I have to block off the holes under the rim somehow.

 

[mds5951]

Just the sizzle is not available for retail. I'm guessing because it is pretty acidic. The glug is just powdered granules that you pour in. If if were me I would pour some in the tank and give a couple "mini" flushes/just barely crack the flapper open to allow some blow-by with the water supply turned off so you didn't dilute the solution, and so you allow the solution to get into the passageways and let them work on the "gunk"

I personally haven't had this problem with my toilet but it has worked really well for every other kind of clog or slow running pipe I've had wether it be from hair to grease

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, website said
Triple action formula of virgin 32% hydrochloric acid blended with effective corrosion inhibitors and strong foam suppressant - makes it safe for all plastic and metal plumbing and equipment, except aluminum and galvanized steel.

I did the dish detergent thing, and also put some vinegar in the overflow, and let it sit overnight.
So far it seems to be OK, but time will tell.

 

[Sureshot]

Yeah, website said
Triple action formula of virgin 32% hydrochloric acid blended with effective corrosion inhibitors and strong foam suppressant - makes it safe for all plastic and metal plumbing and equipment, except aluminum and galvanized steel.

I did the dish detergent thing, and also put some vinegar in the overflow, and let it sit overnight.
So far it seems to be OK, but time will tell.

No safety cop here but if you are using 32% hydrochloric be very careful with fumes and definitely eye protection and rubber gloves.

I have used a jug of bleach in the past and got results. Good Luck.

Edit: Read the directions and warnings on the jug. The fumes will be very hard on the lungs if you get a shot if I recall YMMV

Edit: I read the WIKI article and it has a good safe procedure. The kind I normally ignore but this stuff is nasty and should be handled very carefully.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, it seemed like it was working pretty good, but tonight it flushed one time just OK,
So I might try the bleach thing.
How do you do it with the jug of bleach?
Just pour it in the over flow and let it sit overnight?
Or do you have to plug the rim holes somehow?
Did you use a whole gallon of bleach?
Nothing wrong with reminding us to be careful.
It's when we are careless that we get hurt.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

What I did tonight, it seemed if I added some water to the tank, I got a better flush.
So the height of this fill valve is adjustable.
You pull this collar up, and pull the valve taller, and push the collar back down.
I made the fill valve taller, so the water level would come to about 1/4" below the overflow tube.
Maybe a little higher than normal, but seems to flush better.

 

[Neverfly]

What I did tonight, it seemed if I added some water to the tank, I got a better flush.
So the height of this fill valve is adjustable.
You pull this collar up, and pull the valve taller, and push the collar back down.
I made the fill valve taller, so the water level would come to about 1/4" below the overflow tube.
Maybe a little higher than normal, but seems to flush better.

Well... Sounds like that could be Not a Main Line clog.
You can also try cleaning out calcium deposits.

You're adding water weight/pressure on the flush. This helps create a Little Bit Stronger push.

To clean the jet holes, use a product called, "The Works." It's Cheap As Hell and available at any wally world...
I've actually bought it by the jug, filled a Drain pan with it then took the tank off the toilet bowl, set it upside down in the pan and let it soak for thirty minutes. Clean enough to lick after that.

I never tested that hypothesis...

I'm just sayin.'

 

[Norcal]

Minor nitpick:
Orangeburg was not popular, it was used during WWII to conserve iron for the war effort.
Before I was a mechanic, I was a licensed plumber... and yes, I did time with Roto-Rooter (I will never do that, again.)

It will depend on the area, my house & the other house on the property had Orangeburg from under the house (not kosher) to the septic tank,installed in 1957, until the pipe was replaced with ABS, clogged all the time. Production of Orangeburg pipe stopped in 1973.

What I did tonight, it seemed if I added some water to the tank, I got a better flush.
So the height of this fill valve is adjustable.
You pull this collar up, and pull the valve taller, and push the collar back down.
I made the fill valve taller, so the water level would come to about 1/4" below the overflow tube.
Maybe a little higher than normal, but seems to flush better.

The tank should have a mark inside stating "Fill Line", make sure it is adjusted to that line.

 

[Neverfly]

It will depend on the area, my house & the other house on the property had Orangeburg from under the house (not kosher) to the septic tank,installed in 1957, until the pipe was replaced with ABS, clogged all the time. Production of Orangeburg pipe stopped in 1973.

I did not know it ran as late as '73. That's a bit surprising. Thanks. The good thing about forums is learn something new every day... (Even if it is about old poop pipes. )

 

[The Gambler]

eat some bean burritos so your problem aint so solid

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I don't understand, most of the time it flushes great, but once the other day, and tonight, it did not flush properly.
I just don't know what else to do.
If it's just once in a while, I may just have to live with it.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Well... Sounds like that could be Not a Main Line clog.
You can also try cleaning out calcium deposits.

You're adding water weight/pressure on the flush. This helps create a Little Bit Stronger push.

To clean the jet holes, use a product called, "The Works." It's Cheap As Hell and available at any wally world...
I've actually bought it by the jug, filled a Drain pan with it then took the tank off the toilet bowl, set it upside down in the pan and let it soak for thirty minutes. Clean enough to lick after that.

I never tested that hypothesis...

I'm just sayin.'

How does that clean the jet holes?
Or can I pour it in the over flow tube and let it sit over night?
Do you have to plug up the jet holes to let the "Works" clean them?

 

[retDAC]

One time a friend of mine had a toilet that wouldn't flush unless a bucket of water was poured in. I cleaned the jet? holes on the underside of the rim with a coat hanger so they weren't blocked. This helped but not for long.

Eventually the toilet was replaced. The jet holes in the old one were supposed to spray water at an angle to induce swirling but apparently I broke the little tips? around their openings. So the water from the tank was not swirling. I believe that particular toilet had to be replaced anyway as my friend had a plumber check it.

 

[DIC]