Have a ongoing problem with my toilet and I am at my wit's end. I am trying not to call a plumber, because the last time someone snaked the drain, he was here for ten minutes and charged me $240. So... the toilet has been clogging and slow draining for a couple of months now. I have tried all drain cleaner's and the some acid stuff too. No help. Every time someone goes to the bathroom, I have to plunge it. I have like three different plungers too. Some that plunge down, and suck back up, and one that just shoot air into the hole. My husband pulled the toilet up and ran water into the hole, and it drains fine, so it leads me to believe it is a pipe in the toilet or something. I have from time to gotten dishwashing liquid and plunge and it will go down easier, and will actully work for about three or flushes afterward really good, but then it's back to either not draining at all and I have to plunge 50 times to get it down, with force. Or it will sluggishly swirl down, and I have to plunge and flush three or four times to get it all to go down. I have three kids, and at this point, I tell them NOT to flush the toilet and I have to go in there and work after every last one is done using the bathroom. Any suggestions here? Or am I doomed to call a plumber?

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. You also might want to purchase a closet auger, (see image) fron your local hardware store and run it down just to be sure everything's clear. Good luck. Tom

I purchased the auger as the water line was fine. I really didn't want to stick my hands in the toilet, because I didn't think it would be buildup already, since the toilet is less than a year old. So... I did get the auger. I had to use it three times, but the third time was a charm. It's back to normal. Ha... what is sad is a $7 tool did the trick, and I have had hell with it for a couple of months straight, and have spent about $60 on products that did nothing. Thanks again!

I am telling you: $7.00 auger and $5.00 plunger are two most valuable tools every plumber has !