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    alexlacele's Avatar
    alexlacele Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Mar 5, 2007, 11:40 AM
    Toilet not flushing properly
    Hello,

    My toilet is an older type, American Standard toilet. It has approx. 5 - 6 inches of water in the bottom. When I flush, it's not very powerful. The water level rises and spins rather slowly, then slows down even more, drops down, and barely flushes. Often times, it does not flush everything in the bowl. Toilet paper, and other things will often stay in the bowl. I was hoping I could fix this somehow. I already tried playing with the water level, however I don't really know if I should increase or decrease it, or do something completely different. Any input would be great. Thank you. Alex
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #2

    Mar 5, 2007, 11:49 AM
    Your water level should be about 1 in. below the overflow tube. Lift the tank lid when you flush to see if the entire tank drains or if the flapper drops early. Some flapper act like they are water logged, they aren't, and close too soon. Also check the 1 in. hole in the sump area of the toilet to make sure there is nothing to slow or block the start of the siphon effect.
    alexlacele's Avatar
    alexlacele Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Mar 5, 2007, 12:23 PM
    I adjusted the water level. It was a little high, It helped, but it's not totally 100% yet. The flapper goes with the water level, so as soon as the water level gets to the bottom of the flapper, it closes. There is still approx. 2 - 3 inches of water in the tank when the flapper closes. If I hold the flapper open by hand until the water gets to the bottom, it also seems to help the flush... How do I fix that?
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #4

    Mar 5, 2007, 12:30 PM
    2 inches of water remaining isn't abnormal. Have you plunged and/or snakes the toilet drain yet? The toilet snake is a special tool for toilets only, otherwise its difficult to get the snake through the s bends in the toilet.
    alexlacele's Avatar
    alexlacele Posts: 11, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Mar 5, 2007, 01:42 PM
    I have not used a toilet snake yet. I'm guessing you think there may be something stuck in the pipes?

    Also, I should add. I played with the flow rate adjustment, increasing the flow rate of the tank. This also seems to have helped a little bit.
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    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
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    #6

    Mar 5, 2007, 02:45 PM
    When a toilet flushs slow and not complete something is interrupting the siphon from reaching full force. Snaking helpd to eliminate one of the culprits. Increasing the flow rate to the tank should have little or no help to your situation.
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