Hello-:confused:
Our toilet bowl does not empty every time it is flushed and I am wondering how big of an issue this is.
Sometimes it will completely swirl around and empty, but most times it will swirl, some of it will 'flush' but does not completely empty. Is this something we can fix or would this have to do with something underground? We have a sewer drain at the end of our driveway with standing water in it. Didn't know if the 2 could be connected?
Lately too, there is a horrid smell coming from the toilet when flushed (I read the answers to the other posts regarding this and will try bleach for the smell)
Thanks if you can help!

You should not have standing water in a sewer drain line. Are you on a sewer or a septic system? You likely have a blockage if there is standing water and yes this can all be connected. The toilet will not function properly if it can not get a good siphon effect started. That blockage will stop the siphon from forming. The bad smell when flushing will not go away with bleach. Your wax ring under the toilet is not sealing and it needs to be replaced. Its just a coincidence that your sewer is backing up.

When you say "standing water" is it in the gutter drain in your street or standing water in your house sewer line at the cleanout? In the meantime 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