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I’ve got a little old 1906 Seattle house with a very long sewer to the street (set waaay back). No problems for years and years … suddenly … over the last few months I’m reaming out the sewer line with THE BEAST — 100 ft. motorized snake — every few weeks. I dont think it is the sewer line per se … we’ve noticed that the toilet itself — a standard old 3.5’er — seems to need to be flushed a couple of times to successfully get rid of all the ‘matter’… never used to! (I’m thinking this may be some sort of ‘clue’ to the problem …) the ‘works’ of the toilet are fine … or seemingly so .. but the ‘sucking action’ down the pipe just aint there.
AAAARRRGGGHHH!!! … anyone got any ideas what might be going on? I’m going broke renting ‘The Beast’!
Thank you!
a. smith
Replies
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An old-timer suggested checking the "jet" orifice at the bottom of the toilet bowl, the small hole that faces the exit route. The jet of water that occurs on flushing helps get the siphon action going in the toilet trap, and it's this action that actual lifts and removes the solid stuff. He suggested scraping the mineral deposits out of this hole with a penknife.
Also check that the water supply isn't clogged with rust (which was our problem), that the internal gizmos are properly aligned, that the toilet DWV is clear (use that powdered enzyme drain opener in the plastic jar... can't remember the name), that the vent is open, etc. If the problem is just this one toilet it doesn't sound necessary to ream the main line.
*Aaron,The idea of using a pen knife to scrape out the calcium (hard water) deposits in the throat of your bowl would be my first guess as to what your problem is. A pumice stone, which can be had at the local grocery, would be a better choice since the pen knife will leave scratches on the porcelain. I've had the same problem with my thinking stool and getting up into the throat of the beast (your bowl) isn't easy from the front. In my case, had to take the bloody thing out and do it from the back side.Thinking Clearly Now, Steve
*A couple questions:1. Do the other drains work well? Like kitchen drain, laundry drains, sinks, and other toilets? If so, the problem is with the toilet not the main drain.2. If the other drains are alright, then then I'd pull your toilet off the mount (be carefull with the flange), take it outside, and run some muriatic acid through it (diluted to at least 50%). If you've never worked with the stuff before, call a restoration plumber, or buy a new toilett.3. If it is the main drain, it sounds like a root problem, and a hole in the main line. Might be time for a test of the main line, pouring 5 gals in and checking to see that 5 gals comes out, instead of draining in your yard. Roots are a pain, and sometimes it is just better to replace the whole line with nice cast iron.
*scooter --There is only one small bathroom in the house. The sink and tub lines are nearly horizontal due to settling over 90+ years ... and therefore they clog easily and drain slowly .. into the main vertical pipe that the toilet drains into .. didn't think slowness in these lines could affect main toilet 'drop' since they are separate from it to the point of the downward plunge where the three lines come together. could their slowness affect it? Even though they meet at the point of where the initial vertical drop occurs? Thanks!Aaron.
*Sounds like a root problem between the house and the street to me . I had the same problem two years ago , augered it out and it was fine for about a year , then the same problem again . I dug it up and found my sewer line had collapsed about halfway at a joint and was full of grass roots , I dont know how it worked at all . That " sucking action " your missing is probably because the sewer line is nearly full of [ well you know what its full of ] and there is no place for the waste to go as quickly as it needs to in order to siphon the bowl . When you flush the toilet does the water swirl very slowly and maybe even rise ? I actually pulled very fine roots out with the drain auger . Chuck
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I've got a little old 1906 Seattle house with a very long sewer to the street (set waaay back). No problems for years and years ... suddenly ... over the last few months I'm reaming out the sewer line with THE BEAST -- 100 ft. motorized snake -- every few weeks. I dont think it is the sewer line per se ... we've noticed that the toilet itself -- a standard old 3.5'er -- seems to need to be flushed a couple of times to successfully get rid of all the 'matter'... never used to! (I'm thinking this may be some sort of 'clue' to the problem ...) the 'works' of the toilet are fine ... or seemingly so .. but the 'sucking action' down the pipe just aint there.
AAAARRRGGGHHH!!! ... anyone got any ideas what might be going on? I'm going broke renting 'The Beast'!
Thank you!
a. smith