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andrew50 · Apr 19, 2013, 02:02 PM

I remodeled my home 6 months ago. New toilet. Just this week, the toilet doesn't flush. When flush, water swirls and fills the bowl and apparently drains very slowly. I plunged but not helping. However, the water would seem to recess a couple hours later and would work for one or two flush before it stops working. I noticed this in two different occasions.

I removed the toilet this morning, the drain is filled with water. I used a 25 foot snake and couldn't find anything. I also snaked the 2 washout drain and didn't see any clogs. Any thoughts? Do I need a longer snake? Root? Plumber?
Thanks in advance.

mygirlsdad77 · Apr 19, 2013, 03:13 PM

Hello andrew. It sounds like you need a longer snake, and most likely a larger one at that. But first, are you one city sewer or a septic tank? If septic you will want to make sure the septic tank is not "full" of solids. If tank is good, and not "overfull" then you may need enough cable to reach the tank from the toilet. If on city sewer, you may need enough cable to reach the city main from the toilet. The good new is you have the toilet up, so it should be easily snaked from there. If you don't feel comfy using a large power auger, now would be the time to call in a plumber or augering service. It will save you money since the toilet is up, and tell them you will reset the toilet and clean up any mess they make to save yourself more money if you choose. Heck, they may even find a more convenient cleanout to go in (hopefully outside) and make quick work of it. Or you could always rent a large augering machine with enough cable to reach septic or city sewer (need to do some measuring here, okay?) and get the job done all by yourself. Good luck and please let us know how things work out.
Lee.

andrew50 · Apr 19, 2013, 03:53 PM

Thanks for your reply. I am on city sewer.

speedball1 · Apr 20, 2013, 10:02 AM

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. Good luck, Tom

mygirlsdad77 · Apr 20, 2013, 01:05 PM

I agree completely Tom. That is good toilet maintenance. However, I think he has a plugged drain because he said he has the toilet "up" and there is standing water in the toilet drain. Plugged drain, yes?

andrew50 · Apr 22, 2013, 06:21 PM

You are so right. I needed a longer snake.
I didn't want to run to Home Depot to rent a big snake and potentially make the situation worse so I called in a plumber. He used a 100' but really only went about 5 to 10' passed where I was and we heard water gushing. He said it was still under the house and maybe someone dropped something in it during renovation. It is all good now.

Again, thanks to all for your generosity.

mygirlsdad77 · Apr 23, 2013, 03:22 PM

Glad to hear you got things all fixed up. Thanks for the update.
Lee.