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Dougzilla · May 24, 2010, 03:13 PM

Got a problem that has been addressed in this forum but no good solutions for me. Had a toilet that was working fine, then started to drain too slow, was necessary to hold the handle down to even get it to mildly flush correctly. Was going to replace the toilet anyway so I bought a new one, installed it and the problem was still there. Then I removed the new one, snaked the drain the whole 25ft of the auger, poured half a bottle of Drano and installed another new and better toilet. Guess what, same deal. Slow to flush. Help.

Things to know:
This is a converted garage turned into a mother-in-law set-up. Bathroom has one sink and one tub/shower and both drain fine. House runs on septic and has a well. All other toilets and showers and sinks work as advertised.

Doug.

creahands · May 25, 2010, 04:48 AM

Is the toilet tank water set to the right height? Should be 1/2 inch below over flow tube.

Is there a small tube running from filler tube to over flow tube?

The description u gave sounds like u have a blockage down stream from toilet.

Does toilet bowl water raise or make any noises when using shower?

Answer these questions and we can help.

Chuck

Dougzilla · May 26, 2010, 01:30 PM

Newest toilet was pre-set to 1/2" below overflow, I reset to just under rim of tube.
Brand new $200.00 Jacuzzi toilet, can't recall (not at home at the moment) if such a tube runs from filler to overflow, I think so.
Toilet does not raise nor noisey when shower is in use. Although, upon flushing it will burp/bubbles after all water has evacuated and it begins to fill.
Gentlemen, this is the third toilet with the same symptoms, I can't see it being the hardware. I have discussed this with some co-workers (not plumbers though) they've given me some interesting idea's:
1) Rent a "commercial" type auger/snake (was suggested as a 100' long powered type) and run that through, also from the other side back towards the toilet.
2) Possible air-locked? Back pressure?
3) Vent tube blockage?

ballengerb1 · May 26, 2010, 01:35 PM

Does this convert garage have a vent stack out through the roof?

Dougzilla · May 28, 2010, 09:05 PM

No, just found this out. Will dig out the drain pipe and tee in a vent stack . Hope this takes care of it, sounds like it should. I feel like I have a backpressure problem since I have a lot of burping. Will let you know. Thanks for the help so far.

speedball1 · May 29, 2010, 05:57 AM

upon flushing it will burp/bubbles after all water has evacuated and it begins to fill.

The bubbles indicate a partial blockage. Let me explain what's happening. You flush the john, The discharge picks up speed and bangs into the partial clog in the line and starts to rebound back pushing a bubble of air ahead of it. This is what you see in the toilet. Then, because it's not completely blocked the discharge drains away before anything overflows, This is called "back pressure" .Snake again with a rented sewer snake.
You also have a venting problem.
Take your vent off the lavatory, (see image) and run it out the roof.
Good luck, Tom

Dougzilla · May 29, 2010, 02:37 PM

Thanks for the good info. I was wrong, the bathroom does have a vent stack but looks micky-moused. I got up on the roof and snaked the vent, then poured Drano into it. Thought for sure I'm past this, but the !@#$% thing still is slow and burping away!

Regarding the last response: are you suggesting that I run a vent directly off the toilet drain? Secondly, this is the second time its been suggested that I rent a snake. I guess maybe I got to follow that advice!

speedball1 · May 30, 2010, 12:24 PM

I got up on the roof and snaked the vent, then poured Drano into it.

What size snake did you use? When yo hit the base of the stack how much more snake did you put out? 20 feet should have got the blockage also,

the !@#$% thing still is slow and burping away!

This tells me that you haven't caught the blockage yet. Either pull the toilet and snake from there or go back and snake the roof vent.
Don't waste your money on harsh chemicals such as Draino.

are you suggesting that I run a vent directly off the toilet drain?

No! You had said that there was no vent and I wanted you to run a vent off the lavatory.

this is the second time its been suggested that I rent a snake

If you're using a small snake or a garden hose on a 3 or 4" stack or drain then you're wasting your time. Too small to ckear a larger pipe. Rent a sewer snake and do the job tight. Good luck, Tom