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noplumberhere · Jun 1, 2009, 05:38 PM

We have a toilet that worked perfectly for years, then suddenly lost its suction power. When you flush, the water comes in through the rim as it's supposed to and some water and waste go down. But it never swirls all the way down taking all the solid waste with it. It takes several flushes to accomplish that wasting tons of water. There's no evidence of a clog; the bowl doesn't overfill. Some folks say I need a new toilet, but what can go wrong with a toilet all of a sudden?

letmetellu · Jun 1, 2009, 05:51 PM

Have you noticed any brown stain in the bottom of the bowl of the commode, if you don't see anything and you are brave enough to stick your fingers into the trap you probably can feel it, if so this is a "Rock" formation from all of the chemicals in the water and from all the salts in the urine that hardened in the bowl. This creates a friction as the water it twirling around and will not let the commode flush right. I would go to a chemical company and see if they have anything that will take this out of the commode for you, make sure that they explain to you what it is and how to use it. Once you get this out your commode should flush fine.

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2009, 06:15 PM

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 and thank you for rating my reply.. Tom

Alyeska · Jun 1, 2009, 06:24 PM

If the toilet was made before 1994, hard water deposits in the syphon jet hole or the angled bowl rim swirl holes may be the source of your frustration. You can try to clean them out with wood sticks and oversized toothpicks, but a muriatic acid wash will really do the job. Mix one part acid to 10 parts water. Using a funnel, carefully pour one half of this solution down the overflow tube in the toilet tank. You should immediately hear fizzing and such. BE CAREFUL of the fumes! Run the bath fan, open a window. DO NOT splash this solution on you, in your eyes, on your clothes, on the carpet, etc. It will not hurt the toilet at all. If you have a septic system, do not do this! The only way you can clean your toilet is to disassemble it and do this process outdoors.

speedball1 · Jun 1, 2009, 06:59 PM

While Alyeskas solution will work it's not a good idea to use it. I can not advise against using muratic acid, or any acid, in a enclosed area such as a rest room strongly enough. As a young boy I would take limed up toilet bowls out in the alley behind the shop and boil the lime out of them. Over half a century later my lungs still carry the scar tissue that the acid fumes caused. A few years ago I lost a good friend when he used a commercial drain cleaner containing sulfuric acid in a unvented bathroom. Acid IS NOT A GOOD IDEA to use to clear mineral buildup. Take it from one who's paid the price. Regards, Tom