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View Full Version : What would cause a toilet trap to dry out over a period of 5 days?


barrymclaren
Sep 21, 2010, 09:49 AM
What would cause a toilet trap to dry out in 5 days? One of three toilets is doing this in my house.

smoothy
Sep 21, 2010, 10:00 AM
Sounds like a problem with the waste stack vent being at least partially obstructed. It sucks the water out of the path of least resistance trying to get the air for the other flushes. It's the one that sees the least use I assume.

speedball1
Sep 21, 2010, 10:07 AM
What would cause a toilet trap to dry out in 5 days? One of three toilets is doing this in my house.

Several things could cause this situation,
1) Could be a blocked vent that suctions the water out, Any gurgles or noise when you flush or drain? **OR**
2) Something has been dropped in the bowl causing the water to seep out over time, n This could have been a small glass bottle that went down the pipes when the toilet was flushed.
I can't say for sure but my bet's on door #2.
Good luck, Tom
Sorry Smoothy, I posted on top of you.

barrymclaren
Sep 21, 2010, 10:39 AM
Gents:

Thanks for the rapid response. The obstructed vent was my first thought also. However, that would not suck all of the water out of the trap (only that which would cause the siphon action to breathe.
I have 3 toilets in the house. Only one is doing this and it happens within 5 days of last use.

Barry

smoothy
Sep 21, 2010, 10:46 AM
Gents:

Thanks for the rapid response. The obstructed vent was my first thought also. However, that would not suck all of the water out of the trap (only that which would cause the siphon action to breathe.
I have 3 toilets in the house. Only one is doing this and it happens within 5 days of last use.

Barry

Try this... flush that one so the water level is at normal height.


After the tank refills have someone flush the other toilets while you watch the water in the bowl on this one. You shouldn't see more than a ripple on the water.

Just trying to perform a process of elimination of what its not.