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rosebud08 · May 19, 2008, 10:05 AM

My upstairs toilet is not flushing the toilet paper or any matter that is floating other than sinking in my toilet. Why all of a sudden is this happening and what can I do about it?

2B4Ever · May 19, 2008, 10:19 AM

I would call a plumber!

Did you try plunging it?
Or add water into the toilet to help make it flush?

Maybe you have something jammed in there... Do you have little ones? Maybe they dropped something in there and tried to flush it away?

Just call a plumber?

ballengerb1 · May 19, 2008, 10:19 AM

Several issues can cause this so lets start by diagnoising what may be wrong. Check the tank to see if it fills properly, it should fill to 1/2" of the top of the white overflow tube, if not adjust. If the tank fills properly let's check that it gets a chance to totally drain when you flush, should be about 1" of water left in the tank when the flapper drops back to close the drain. Try plunging with a toilet plunger and you may need to check the small holes that wash water down the inside of the bowl under the rim. Last but not least my all time favorite, stick your finger into the snall 1" hole down in the sump area of the toilet and make sure there is no build up of crud. Come back and tell us where you are at after this. 2b4ever, I think the poster wants help and advice how to DIY, not just calling a plumber, that's what we are here for.

speedball1 · May 19, 2008, 10:30 AM

I have one that most repair plumbers miss.. Look down at the bottom of the bowl. If there is a small hole, then that is a jet that starts the syphon action. If it's clogged the water will just swirl around and slowly go down leaving solids behind. Take your finger,(UGH! ) and run it around the inside of the opening. Over the years minerals build up and cut down on the syphon (flush) action. If it is rough or you feel build up, take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Next take a coathanger and clear out the holes around the rim. They start the swirling action. And last, check the water level in the tank. It should be 1/2" below the top of the over flow tube. And speaking of the overflow tube, Make sure the small 1/8" tube from the ballcock to the white overflow tube is connected so it discharges in it and that it's flowing when the ballcock fills. This is what raises the water level in the bowl. For a good solid flush they all have to work together. Hope this helps . Tom

2B4Ever · May 19, 2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Several issues can cause this so lets start by diagnoising what may be wrong. Check the tank to see if it fills properly, it should fill to 1/2" of the top of the white overflow tube, if not adjust. If the tank fills properly lets check that it gets a chnace to totally drain when you flush, should be about 1" of water left in the tank when the flapper drops back to close the drain. Try plunging with a toilet plunger and you may need to check the small holes that wash water down the inside of the bowl under the rim. Last but not least my all time favorite, stick your finger into the snall 1" hole down in the sump area of the toilet and make sure there is no build up of crud. Come back and tell us where you are at after this. 2b4ever, I think the poster wants help and advice how to DIY, not just calling a plumber, thats what we are here for.

Hmm? OK I thought I was being helpful when I said about plunging it or adding water to flush.
If all else fails call a plumber:confused:

ballengerb1 · May 19, 2008, 10:43 AM

No, you were being helpful and I don't want to dicourage you from posting. Punging and adding water can be part of the diagnois but Tom, Speedball1, is a plumber and I'm a repair expert. We can help folks avoid paying for simple repairs.

speedball1 · May 19, 2008, 10:52 AM

2B4Ever,
Twice you advised the OP to:

I would call a plumber! Just call a plumber?

We don't do that here. Why? Because it makes us look like we don't have a answer and that they should call a "real plumber".
We ARE real plumbers here with real answers. If they had wanted to call a plumber they wouldn't be here asking how to repair a plumbing problem. I hope I've explained our position to your satisfaction. Regards, Tom

2B4Ever · May 20, 2008, 09:13 PM

Yes you are right. This is just new to me. My apologizes.