My toilet won't flush the paper down. It seems not to have enough pressure to flush paper through outlet drain. The waste flushes through, but paper doesn't. The commode in basement works fine, but the one upstairs in bathroom doesn't. Someone suggested toilet vent may be plugged. How do I check vent? If vent is plugged, how do I open it?

Thanks

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Originally Posted by akb45now

My toilet won't flush the paper down. It seems not to have enough pressure to flush paper through outlet drain. The waste flushes through, but paper doesn't. The commode in basement works fine, but the one upstairs in bathroom doesn't. Someone suggested toilet vent may be plugged. How do I check vent? If vent is plugged, how do I open it?

Thanks

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Just a quick trick...

When flushing... push the handle down and then let the flapper in the tank close and let the tank partially fill... by this time the bowl may be almost empty (it hasn't "glugged" yet)...

Then flush again... the half-tank of extra water will come from the rim and tend to wash anything that is "floating" down.

Your cistern may just not have enough water in it, take the top off and you can adjust the water level by turning a small screw with a flathead screwdriver (you should see it at the top of float valve)
You will need to get on top of your house to check the vent isn't blocked, it should have a grating over it to stop birds etc making nests, shine a torch down it to check its clear and if it has no grate make one out of some wire mesh... good luck!

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