So I'm guessing Im having problems with my plumming... I just installed a new toilet and it just won't flush. Every time I attempt to flush, a large air bubble comes up the bowl and prevents the water from exiting. The water then slowly returns to the normal level in the bowl.

This could be that the wax seal is not properly positioned and it blocking the water from exiting the toilet correctly.

It sounds like the water is backing up in the bowl when you try to flush, correct? If this is true, then you will have to take the toilet off and check the wax gasket. Now, make sure you put the wax gasket on the toilet portion just around the hole at the bottom - not the floor. This will help ensure you have it in the right place when attempting to position the toilet.

Once you have the toilet in place, make sure you push down evenly (I even sit on it and try to twist it just a little to ensure a good bond).

Then, give it another shot once you hook the tank/water supply back up. Post back if this doesn't work.

In my capacity as shop trouble shooter I began to run into a slew of complaints on our new construction that were just like yours. I knew they all couldn't be " bad toilets" so I went looking for the cause. I found that when installing the new bowl that the wax ring had been forced out into the discharge pipe and blocking the free flow of water. When the water hit it a backpressure was set up preventing the siphon that makes a good flush and the solids just swirled around while the water went slowly down. I had to set up meeting with our plumbers and show them the problem and how to fix it. When you set the bowl, put the wax seal down on the flat side to the closet flange. Then take your hands and bevel the wax seal outward so that when you set a bowl on it the wax is forced out instead of in blocking the flush. The customer complaints stopped and I had less work to do. Try molding the wax seal so it doesn't choke down on the flush. Good luck, Tom

Tom, you are so cool!

Thanks Cyber! But I'm not really cool. just another old burnt out plumber. Cheers, Tom