I have a 6 year old toilet that doesn’t flush well. Of coarse your asking, “who doesn’t?” But this is strange. The first flush doesn’t clear the bowl. The water level never goes below about 2.5 inches. If the toilet is flushed a second time immediately after the tank files, then the bowl clears and there is no standing water in the bowl for a short time (like it is supposed to).
I’ve checked the water level in the tank and it doesn’t go down between flushes. The waterlevel in the bowl doesn’t change between flushes. In other words it looks like the valves are working properly.
Could I have an airlock develop in the drain between flushes? Or am I overlooking something obvious?
This is a run of the mill American Standard 3.5 gallons/flush toilet.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Chris
Replies
Most likely there's something stuck in the gooseneck of the bowl -- hair brush, child's toy, or even a big, hard turd.
The other major possibility is that the jets around the bowl edge and at the bottom of the bowl are limed up (hard water deposits).
Minor possibilities:
1) The float is adjusted too low, or there's a problem with the flush valve that it closes too quickly, preventing enough water from being dumped into the bowl.
2) Using those "10,000 flushes" deals can cause enough change in the viscosity of the water to cause flushing problems (but probably not as severe as you're seeing).
Two easy things to check are the chain on the flapper. If it's too long the lid won't stay open long enough. Also make sure the stack pipe on the roof isn't covered with snow. I don't know where you live but snow cover can be a problem where I am. If you have one of those American standards from home depot, they are not regular American standards. They are specifically made for HD and they only like to take a small swallow. If you hold down on the handle they will take a second gulp and usually clear the bowl. Gotta love HD, I just feel sorry for the folks that shop there and the decent stores that have closed.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Like the others suggested, I'd check to see if the flush valve is closing too soon, or not being pulled fully open. Lengthen the pull and the flush duration by shortening the chain or bending the flush lever arm inside the tank.
One thing to try: First SLOWLY pour about a gallon of water into the bowl, to make sure it's at normal water level. Then pour a full 2-1/2 gallon bucket of water QUICKLY into the bowl. The water level should rise only briefly, then go down quickly and the bowl should empty with a satisfying "glug". This should all transpire in under 5 seconds.
If water level rises disturbingly, or the bowl takes more than 5 seconds to empty, you have a clog in the gooseneck.
Here's your problem: http://images.ucomics.com/comics/ch/1994/ch940227.gif
I'll do the bucket test and let you know the out come. My 5 and 7 year olds assure me that their middle names are not Calvin. Time will tell.
Thanks for the advice.
Chris
Dave-
I did the bucket test. With fast water put into the bowl, almost all the water was siphoned out quickly. I then flushed and I got a pop of an air bubble.
Sounds like I don't have a clogged drain. The flush valve doesn't seem to be the problem. I've kept the valve opened for longer than normal with no change in performance.
Is it time for a new toilet?
Thanks again for your help
Chris
How hard is your water? Use something like a piece of coathanger wire to probe the outlets under the rim of the bowl. If you dislodge chunks of calcium deposit, it's time to run some acid through there.
Dan
Thanks for all the great suggestions. It is acid time. I'll let you know.
Chris
Chris, I just read your post. I may be a little late, but I had a similar problem with a 15 year old Mansfield toilet. It's a 3 1/2 gallon flush also, and never was completely reliable. After I put in a new flapper it became worse, and after trying a number of things, including much mumbling of unrepeatables under my breath, I noticed something slightly off. It looked as if the water in the bowl wasn't quite as high as it used to be, not much, maybe just a quarter to half an inch lower. I watched the tank refilling, with the lid off, and noticed the hose that sends water down the overflow tube was bent slightly and some of its water was going into the tank instead of the tube. After rebending the tube so it sends all the water down the overflow the water level in the bowl was up, in fact a little higher than it had ever been. Now that little toilet is the most dependable flusher we have. I never realized the water level in the bowl could so drastically affect flushing action. I don't know if this could be your problem, but you might check it out.
No not too late. I had pretty much given up and decided to just live with it. You've given me new hope. I'll let you know the outcome.
Thanks
Chris