[dave connor]

The toilet is apaproximately 5 yrs old and is a gallon and a half flush.

I have replaced the float filler assembly.

Here's the sometimes problem.

Irrespective of the type of toilet paper, sometimes the toilet will properly flush with one go at it, and sometimes it takes anywhere from 2 to 4 tries to flush the wastes. The odd time I have had to use a plunger.

The toilet itself is free from any obstructions, as I have run a snake through it.

The line from the toilet to the sewer line takes a 12 inch drop from the floor and then goes into a 90 degree elbow and on to the sewer line.

The degree of drop in the sewer line is more than sufficient in the line itself.

We live in an area that the TDS (totally dissolved solids in the water are very high, 2230 to be exact). The lime and calcium and other minerals are low.

At times the toilet will come close to overflowing, but has not yet.

Any suggestions ?

Tks. Dave Connor

[speedball1]

Hey Dave,
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

[dclynch]

If Tom's suggestion does not do it, you might have a partial blockage in the toilet caused by a rigid, movable item like a piece of plastic that is too large to fit through the bottom opening of the toilet or too long to make the turn in the bowl's drainage. Depending on its position, the flush might work sometimes and not others. You could pass by this with a snake. Since the toilet bowl fills sometimes, such a blockage comes to mind.