I wasn’t sure where plumbing questions should go. Sorry if this is the wrong area for it.
I have a Kohler toilet that clogs fairly frequently. I replaced the toilet a few years ago, however the problem persisted. Since the toilet sits over a crawl space, I am able to access the drain pipe below. The ABS drain drops straight down from the closet flange about three and a half feet before making a 90 degree turn and then heading nearly horizontal about 15 feet to the main drain. I was wondering if this pipe arrangement might make the waste liquid drain away from the waste solids resulting in the clogging. I have enough room to install a 90 degree closet bend and go horizontal for a bit before dropping to the drain, if anyone thinks this might solve the problem.
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Replies
First we have to determined if the clog is at the siphon trap of the toilet or down stream.
A quick two stroke of the plunger means its the toilet trap. Also the water level ends up lower several minutes after the tank fills up. Clogs at the toilet are cause by the dumper. We once placed a sign "Flush a every pause" for just one certain person.
Also a bad wax ring seal will cause air to leak that reduced the siphoning effect. A bad wax ring seal can be caused by a toilet ring being less than 12" from the back wall, the toilet leans against the wall and cannot mount flush.
If the clog is down stream it may be roots and will affect other fixtures.
The clog has always been at the toilet. And the seal was replaced not that long ago when the toilet was replaced.
It could just be the toilet. Do a search here on toilets - Toto is the favored brand, with some cheapskates like me liking the American Standard Champion.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
is your toilet vented ?
I assume so, but I'll check tonight to see how close it is to the toilet.
Sometimes just raising up the water level in the tank will give it the extra kick it needs. The Toto works better than the Kohler, just the larger flapper give it a better flush.
Eating more fiber solved my toilet clogging problems..
"Does this motel give discounts to the clergy?" - Gunner, Conneaut, OH '06
http://grantlogan.net/
"90 degree turn and then heading nearly horizontal about 15 feet to the main drain"
I'm no plumber but I believe waist lines should be angled to The main stack. The new toilets (sorry, last 20 years) only flush 1.3 gal. This might fill the ABS as far as the 90deg. bend and the waist stays there. The next use clogs in the toilet.I would look into shortening the first drop from the toilet and adding the proper angle on the run to the main.
This problem is very common. My Plumber can't believe with today's technology why they can't make a 1.3 gal. toilet work better. Might checkout one of the air assisted toilets. Sounds like a jet when flushed though. Hate to be around if one of those clogged:)
Get one with the Sloan Flushmate (air pressure assist) flushing mechanism. Say good bye to clogs, no matter what the dumper puts in it (assuming human!).
Thanks for all the good idea, guys. I plan to first raise the tank water level, then perhaps put a bend in the ABs drain pipe just below the toilet. If that doesn't work I'll look at getting a Toto or Sloan and move this toilet to another bathroom without the problem.
I don't know of any codes that allow a 3 1/2 ft. drop from a toilet, that is pobably your prob. Change the piping arrangement to where you can put a long sweep ell close to the drop off the toilet, run it with approx. 1/4 in. fall to the sanitary line, I think this will solve it. Lots of luck.
I've got a couple that are piped 8 feet from the first floor straight down into the basement floor with four inch cast iorn and never had a clog. House built in 1949. I don't think it is the drop that is the problem. I think the 15 foot horizontal run is not sloped correctly.
Edited 8/25/2006 4:24 pm ET by BigBill
I assume you mean to glue the long sweep ell directly to the closet bend so there is little or no drop straight down from flange. Is that right? If so, I'll give that a shot.
Thats correct. You don't have to get all of the drop out, but as much as you can without causing yourself a lot of connection problems. Luck.
I suspect it's the 90 degree turn. Cut the 90 out install two 45's and a section of straight pipe. Sanitary needs to flow
Thanks again guys.