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emmasue · Mar 1, 2009, 10:47 AM

We recently had a devastating ice storm here in Arkansas, since then my toilet won't flush all the way, I am on a septic system, I have tried "all" of the additives, used a snake to see if that would do it, noticed a VERY awful smell coming from my laundry room washer drain, added some stuff to that drain and toilet is still not flushing unless I flush three times and use plunger, someone told me it could be the standpipe but with a metal roof and snow and ice up there I have not been able to check, please let me know if I need to do anything else, the drain leading from the house to the septic is clear. Could air be creating this problem? Septic system is about two years old. Thanks, sue

Clough · Mar 1, 2009, 02:32 PM

Hi, emmasue!

Greetings and WELCOME to the site! I just moved your question that you had posted in Introductions to this forum topic area so that it will get the most exposure to those who are best able to answer it. Introductions is for people to introduce themselves and we try to not ask questions there.

It can be a little confusing when first learning how to use this site! Your question will get noticed much more in this forum topic area.

We would appreciate it if you would return to Introductions sometime to tell us a little about yourself though, if you would be willing to do that.

Thanks!

massplumber2008 · Mar 1, 2009, 05:37 PM

Hi Sue...

Start at the basics here...

First, flush the toilet handle and just hold it down until the toilet just about overflows or until the toilet flushes. If the toilet flushes while holding the handle down then try the following:

Remove the toilet TANK lid and set aside in safe place. Now, look at the water line... is it about 1/2" to 1" below the tube in the center of the tank? If not, the water level should be adjusted to that point.

How about the flexible tube that goes from the fill-valve on the left to that tube in the center of the toilet tank... is it attached between both valves?

Then, check to see if there is about 1/4" of play at the chain that lifts the flapper when you flush. If there is much more then that I would adjust the chain to give about 1/4" of play before it engages the flapper.

If the toilet did not flush when holding the handle down then check the above and get back to me... see what we can think of next... ;)

MARK

ballengerb1 · Mar 1, 2009, 06:14 PM

Sue, lets go back to that stand pipe you mentioned. That is actually the pipe going through your roof and its called a vent stack. If it is iced over your drains will not work properly and you will get sewer gas in the home. Is it safe to get up on your roof with a garden hose just yet? I'm just thinking your issue is the stack and maybe not the toilet or septic at all.

emmasue · Mar 5, 2009, 01:05 PM

Thanks, what I found was... I removed the toilet and looked in the crook or elbow and found a spoon stuck in there, must have been dropped in there by previous owners child . Anyway that was the whole problem, flush is now superior thank you:p:o

massplumber2008 · Mar 5, 2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks Emmasue... Glad you're all set!