This should be simple and obvious but I can’t solve it. I had the same problem last month in a rental unit and just replaced the toilet – it was old and hideous and it just seemed simpler than figuring it out. Now my Mom has the same problem at her house and I’d like to put a little more thought into it before replacing it.
It’s a 20 year old high-end Kohler toilet – you flush and the water swirls around some but doesn’t really flush down – it doesn’t get a good whirlpool going. The innards are gunked up some but appear to be working – the flap opens, the water in the tank disappears, it refills properly etc.
I bought a closet auger and reemed it out pretty good – no obvious blockage found.
Any suggestions before I replace the toilet? I HATE plumbing …
Replies
take a wire coat hanger and cut off a piece.
use this piece to clean out the holes in the rim where the water comes out.
do the same to where the water comes out at the bottem of the bowel (in fron of where the water goes out)
also do the same for where the water goes out.
also try emptying the tank, then cover the hole in the rim, put some CLR or similar liguid down thru the tank so it can sit in the rim
empty the bowel and do the same with more CLR (don't remember if you can cut it)
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Bob - what's CLR?
bob is thinking that the toilet has a mineral buildup. Probably a good guess if other toilets (of different brands in different houses) in the area have had the same problem.
CLR is a calcium, lime, rust, etc remover. Eats away some some of the mineral buildup. I think one of those infomercial products is supposed to do the same thing, but haven't used it.
jt8
"Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. " --Theodore N. Vail
Thanks all for the info - sounds like a consensus to try cleaning the jets out ... so i'll get some CSR and a good wire brush (and consider muriatic as a last resort) ...
Will the CSR damage the innards - the rubber seals etc.?
Thanks!
I think toilets (and coffee pots) are two of the uses listed right on the jug, so I assume it won't hurt the gaskets. But you might want to read the small print to make sure.
I assume the CLR stands for :Calcium, Lime, Rust.jt8
"Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. " --Theodore N. Vail
I do not know why folks want you to go through the whole bowl or tank emptying ordeal (then again several were emptying bowels). Just pour the clr, limeaway, Kaboom, Bam, white vinegar, or whatever down the 1" or so diameter standpipe that supports the flapper and recieves the small line that fills the bowl. The duct taping around the rim will help it stay on target for a while.
If you have something in the trapway you might as well take it out and take it outside. Turn it upside down and try to run a small rope through it with a large knot tied in the middle. Make sure you have enough rope left at each end to back it out if it gets hung.
Son was in a rental and kept having problem. Took toilet out and found a plastic spoon in middle of floor flange.
Dont let acids run down the bowl and sit. This will etch the surface and eventually become unsightly no matter how hard you scrub the bowl.
" empty the bowel"?
Man, if MY crapper didn't flush, that's the LAST thing I want to do..LOL Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"I don't think it's funny no more" Nick Lowe.
that's why it's good to have empty 5 gal buckets
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
bobl has given one of the causes - slow release of water into the bowl.
The other cause is an obstruction that slow the flow of water out of the toilet.
Can be something like a small toy or toothbrush.
They can allow an auger to pass, but be enough of a block to slow the flow of water. You need to pull the toilet to find it.
Also a clogged vent might be the problem.
I had to fix a getto rental prop toilet for my boss once......... On the way home from work.
He told me it just needed snaked, I got there and it was doing what you guys are describing. After snaking the heck out of it to no avail, I un bolted it from the floor and with a needlenose reached up inside and pulled out a small toy--
On top of the toy was about a 2 month wad of NASTY toilet paper! I can smell it just thinking about it! YUUCCKK
When in doubt, get a bigger hammer!
I like Bobls answer.
Ive got rentals and the first tme it happened I spent half a day routing lines that werent clogged and finally ended up buying a new toilet . Then I asked here on Breaktime like you just did .
The answer I got was Muratic acid.
Start with a [empty tank] dry bowel and use duct tape over the inlet holes that flush the sides of the tank which are located underneath the rim. Use rubber gloves and protect the floor area with vesqueen or plastic drops. Wear goggles and set a fan on high in the door. Wear carbon resporator. Pour a gallon of acid in the tank and pin up the flush valve. Acid will seep through tape very slowly but fill that whole resivoir inside rim and sit for a while and not dry out. If you want to try diluting it go ahead but I do mine full strength and only use a quart . Then after a few minutes add 1/2 gallon of water to the tank. You can also add water to the bottom of the bowel to protect it if you want because it has nothing to do with the cleaning. Final step is to route all holes with a tiny wire brush found at real hardware stores and clean underneath rim with a brass brush. Takes about an hour to clean and then flush normally after filling the tank. That process has done about a dozen so far with success. Bobls answer seemed safer but not as thourough. Mebbe Im spending to much time on mine but followed the advice given.
Tim
Edited 10/31/2005 1:53 pm by Mooney
"Start with a [empty tank] dry bowel . . ."if he'd had a dry bowel to begin with, he wouldn't have this problem (sorry . . . that misspelling was just too good to pass up) ;)
The above advice is excellent and should probably do the trick.One other thing I've found is that the flapper on my toilet closes too soon and doesn't give a full & complete flush (which can be kind of disappointing if you know what I'm saying)This site below I think answers any questions anyone could ever havehttp://www.toiletology.com/index.shtml
try taking a bucket with a gal+ of water in it.
quickly pour it in the bowel
if it flushes i would definatly suspect mineral buildup, if doesn't flush...
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Bob - That's what I just did, based on the earlier comments and the 'toilet 101' website. Sure enough, it flushed, which means (if I understand correctly) that the vent and drain are fine. I reemed out the jet holes with a coat hanger, poured in the CLR, and adjusted the float to get more water per flush. It worked!
Once again, BT proves to be a tremendous resource. You guys rock!