Sluggish Toilet
I have developed a problem with a sluggish toilet. This is the toilet in the master bedroom and the drain line ties in really quickly (in terms of linear feet) with the only other toilet in my house. The other toilet is working fine. Problem is that there just does not seem to be as much flushing action with this toilet. In unpleasant terms, the solid stuff does not always completely go away. In the past, a push with the plungger has taken care of this problem but now, that is just not curing the problem. If it is working halfway does this mean that there could be some sort of blockage just near the base of this toilet that does not affect the other? How can I get rid of it. Seems like it just needs a good push. Is there a DIY solution? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Ande
Ande, I am going to have to ask if you have children that are or have been in your home recently. We have a potty-fanatic 2 year old son and have had to pull the toilet up twice in the past year to retrieve a golf ball (a month ago) and various build up of flushed toys (last December) as well as plunge and snake for other interesting artifacts (31 cents one time). When this happens, it starts as a sluggish flush where the "solids" don't go down very easily because they are getting stuck on the toy. Because I have small hands, I will reach in as far as I can (into clean water...no matter how much plunging I have to do...also I take my rings off and do not wear a rubber glove because I cannot get my hand in as far) to feel for toys. A lot of times I can get the items out this way, other times they are too far down to reach and/or are genuinely stuck. Next comes out the snakes, we have the old fashioned thin one as well as a new one that kind of spirals down. We also try draining all of the water out of the toilet by shutting off the valve to the tank and flushing a few times (have the plunger handy). Sometimes that works. If all else fails, we remove the toilet and find the offending toy, which is usually wedged at the bottom of the drain of the potty. Removing and replacing is easy, just messy so have towels handy. Also make sure you buy a new wax ring each time for a good re-seal (get it a little melty) and check to see if you need new bolts as well while you are at it....the seal is only a couple bucks. So if you have kids around, that may be your answer. Kati In Iowa
they make a new type of toilet seal today out of pvc. the beauty of it is that it is reuseable, and you no longer have that messy wax to deal with anymore. they cost anwhere from eight to ten bucks, but like i said, they are reuseable. before you buy one all U need to know is the diameter of your outlet waste pipe on the floor,,it is either 3 or 4 inches. the instructions come with it. it makes life a little simpler when you have kids who like to see which things float and which don't.
Thanks for the info...DH will be thrilled to know that after we have replaced the wax one 2 times that there is a reusable one out there! But I am wondering if the PVC one seals as well as the wax. Kati RE: they make a new type of toilet seal today out of pvc. the beauty of it is that it is reuseable, and you no longer have that messy wax to deal with anymore. they cost anwhere from eight to ten bucks, but
OK, I am off to the nearest big box store to pick up a snake. And, yes, I have a toddler nephew who comes to visit so there is no telling what might be in the line somewhere. Does the snake reach further than using your hand to reach? Sure hope not to have to remove the toilet. Knowing me I'd crack the thing and have to spend more money to replace the thing. Thanks for the advice. Ande
Could be a partial plug, and or sometimes this means low water level.