I’m not a plumber! One of our house toilets, a non-low-flush Mansfield, for those big jobs, has an odd problem. If it sits for a long time (it’s in an unused wing), the water in the bowl leaks down, below even the top of the trap. Then, it flushes poorly – lots of gurgling and a big “glort” as the water level breaks below the trap.
However, the bowl refills normally, and the second flush, with the water level at normal height, is fine.
So – how does it “leak” out of the bowl? Seems like it couldn’t leak “up” over the trap hump inside. Don’t think it’s evaporation; it did it all winter. No obvious leaks on the tile floor; bowl is not caulked to the floor. Nothing obvious underneath in the crawl space.
??
Forrest
Replies
Some of the water loss is because of evaporation. I also wouldn't be surprised if wind blowing over the vent stacks sometimes causes the water level to drop by being pushed or sucked down the drain.
I think I've had it happen with my toilet and when the tree roots HAD slowly plugged the sewer line.
Then odd things happen when you empty the washing machine and a lot of water hits the sewer line all at once.
I would hear the toilet "glug glug" when doing laundry and I knew I needed to auger out the sewer line.
Good luck
^^^^^^
a Smith & Wesson beats four Aces
It is, indeed and in-large-part, evaporation.
I try and flush our un-used toilets monthly - and flush it twice. I also try and run some water into the sink and tub traps.
In Florida, once, in a house on a slab, the toilet water dropped far enough that a small mouse (rat?) found it's way into the bowl.
I have heard that you can float some mineral oil or other some sort of material on the trap to slow down the evap - however, on the toilet, the back side of the trapped water, it will probably still evap. Perhaps if you used a turkey baster or something similar, some oil could be forced "under and through".
I have a toilet in a guest room, and if I don't make sure to use it occasionally the water will definitely evaporate until none's left. I leave the seat up to prevent mildewing which makes the evaporation happen that much faster. It will happen faster in winter because humidity is lower in a heated house; even with the bathroom door and windows closed.
Edited 6/9/2007 10:29 am ET by Disputantum
Thanks, all - still listening. This toilet was the first one we got going on the new plumbing system on this old house, so it was fine for the first 14-15 years. This has come up in the last 6-8 months.
This branch comes in toward the center of the house, where it picks up another toilet that is used multiple times a day,
Ahh. Just had a thought. Before this branch goes into the 4" main drain to our septic field, it picks up the upstairs line from our master jetted tub, where the kids get a triple bath usually on a weekend night.
Maybe that big 40-50 gallon slug is pulling it out of the toilet in question?
Hmmm.
Forrest - thanks, all
Is it possible the vent is clogged and when water drains from other appliances it siphens the bowl???
.
.
.Nobody is as good as they seem, nobody is as bad as they seem either.
"Seems like it couldn't leak "up" over the trap hump inside. "
Actually it can.
You can get some "fabric" such a a string from a mop that hanges over the top of the trap. It will wick water up over the top of the trap and then sphyoning will take it from there.
Also it is possible that a small crack as developed in the casting.
But with the gurgling I would suspect a clogged venting problem.
Try filling up the tub and haveing the toilet flushed.
Then while on person watches the toilet have a 2nd person pull the tub plug and watch the bowl water level?
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Good plan - we'll do the tub drain trial tonight
Forrest - thanks!
Siphoning from a clogged vent?
<Siphoning from a clogged vent?>
Maybe so. The plumber that did that bathroom, 15 years ago (that jack-leg!), I think he just let it go into the attic, with shake over skip-sheathing, intending to take it through the roof later.
Have to look into the top of it - maybe a bird's nest?
Forrest
Well its been answered .
Evaporation should be the main culprit but it depends too if the system was plumbed correctly. There must be a vent with in 5 feet of the fixture . This gurgling doesnt sound good . That can be a clogged drain or more likely the vent is also clogged if its plumbed right . The gurgle means there is restriction on the release of water . That can be either clogged drain or fixture and of course it could mean lack of venting . Jacklegs dont think about vents at all sometimes . Ive seen some awful contraptions inspecting. This is off the wall but an S drain will pull water out of a trap. It doesnt have to be together it can be apart down the line as long as it will hold water . Some folks for some reason hook up and S trap under a sink or lavatory . I dont know why I saw it so much on homeowner plumbing and why they even did it but they do sometimes. That of course is not a trap and will sipon dry if its got water full pulling it . Theres not a lot of chance a vent can work correctly under those circumstances. Ive ran into it several times and the drain gulps .
Tim
Edited 6/9/2007 6:50 pm by Mooney
Check out your vent situation first, when you get that straighened out, if you still have an evaporation problem use some RV antifreeze, it will last a long time in an unused toilet.
its a vent problem.Most hated person on the net
Okay. Gonna' get in that attic tomorrow AM when it's cool.
Forrest