My house is around 40 yrs old. After moving here 10 years ago, I always had trouble with this one toilet flushing so I thought it was the septic tank. The plumber could never find the septic tank. I bought a new toilet about 6 yrs ago and it started flushing correctly again. It has started doing the same thing, with the water standing at the top then eventually going down. I was put on the sewer lines about 3 yrs ago. It began doing this again fter company came and the toilets and shower were used a lot. I thought it would clear itself up again but it didn't. I put RootX in and that didn't help. Just a few days ago the hot water heater went out and I called the plumber and got them to fix that and check the toilet. They said calcium build-up had burned out the element in the electric hot water heater. They ran the snake (they said) for a long, long way and it was clear. They seem to think that I need a new commode, that the calcium build-up has caused it not to flush. Help! They charged me $350.00 for this job. I do not want to invest in a new toilet if it is still not going to solve my problem. I've already tried Clorox, and the hot water plus dishwasher detergent.

Thanks!

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Hmmm... plumber should have checked the following as well:

SHould have checked the siphon jet hole inside toilet bowl... not the hole the waste flows down but the hole that should be in front of the waste hole pushing waste/water down the waste hole... here, I would glove up (why so many plumbers do not check this.. 'cause yucky work) and actually poke my finger up and into the siphon jet hole. If I meet resistance then I go and get some tools (small flat screwdriver to start) and poke into hole and see if anything comes loose... flush the toilet periodically as you do this to flush stuff out.. see if improves from there.

(I am assuming that the plumber checked the inner tank and made sure all was good there... for example, you should have a tube going from your toilet fill valve to the overflow pipe in center of toilet tank... it should feed a good stream of water into overflow tube when you flush the toilet... does it?)

Should have checked the holes under the rim of the toilet... here, I would use a coat hanger and (with gloves on) poke into each hole under rim to see if can clear of calcium/mineral deposits.

Anyway, check these things... and call plumber and see if he checked these things... then check yourself! Let us know what you find. AND stop using hot water in toilet!! ;)

If my answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER. Thank you.

I checked all suggestions and maybe I did not explain myself clearly. The bowl fills up but it will not drain. Also, The shower when in use is making the water bubble in the commode since they snaked it. Could it be something that may be in the line that the snake bypassed?

Thanks!
Jonette Ross

It could actually be a clogged vent. You need to call that company back... let them know that the shower causes the toilet to bubble and that toilet will not flush properly. Tell them a plumber friend from another state suggested that it may be a clogged vent... see what they say. If you decide to try to find clogged vent let me know... but since guys came out and snaked drain AND charged for it... let them come back and try to clear the vent (may need to go on roof to see if vent is clogged)... other than that.. the drain line is clogged and they missed it!! Let me know how it goes

I Will Call Them. Thank You So Much. I Sent You Another Email Since You Answered This Because I Didn't Think This Email Went Through.just Disregard. I Will Let You Know What They Say!! Thank You, Thank You.

Jonette Ross

Hi, You are soooo fast... Mass Plumber. Thank You. I did call the plumber and he said I didn't tell him that the commode was bubbling when the shower was draining. I told him I had not noticed it until he came out and snaked. He said he didn't see how anything could clog the vent because it was up so high in the air... unless a squirrel had gotten in there. Shezzzzz But he did say it just may not be working properly. He said he would call his boss (master plumber) and tell him about the bubbling. Thanks again. I will let you know what happens. I told him I did not want to buy a commode if not necessary.

Jonette Ross

Good for you! Sounds like a responsible answer. Except.. there is clearly an issue! As you know... so do not budge from that... Give this guy a try (sounds like he wants to help)... let us know what happens.

Oh My. This commode problem is so complicated. I talked with a plumber where I work and he also said it sounded like a vent problem. My son went on the roof, used a hose to run water through the vent and it was not clogged. Here is what is happening now to the commode. If I wait a few hours between flushings, it will flush properly. It will not flush if I flush consectively, or if I flush soon after I have taken a shower. I had a friend to look at the vent on top of the house and he said the vent was placed over the shower instead of the commode when it was put in. O.K. It is obvious to me that there is a blockage somewhere, but why did the snake not take care of it? The original plumber I hired (that sent another plumber) called tonight and left a message that the guy he sent and he too, think the vent is stopped up. LOL... He does not know yet that I have already checked that out. Any comments, Master Plumber? Thanks!!

YUP... comment is... LIFT THAT TOILET AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE AND UNDER.. IN THE DRAIN. Get back to us after that... something in that toilet or associated plumbing ;)

I'll see if I can get some man to do that project. I have not paid the $350.00 yet but I plan to soon. A friend said I should not pay if they didn't fix my problem.
Not coming South to Alabama anytime soon are you? :)