[Imoan]

Hi. Can you help please? My toilet, when flushed, fills up to the rim but doesn't overflow. The water slowly drains away, but I'm a bit worried about it eventually overflowing. I've tried the coat hanger method - but it hasn't worked. Any ideas?

[puffmugs]

Sounds like toilet may be blocked with paper. In any case try a closet auger. If you don't have one try HD, they range from $15 to $35. Check the HD website. If that doesn't do the trick you are probably looking at pulling the toilet up to see what's blocking it or snaking out the toilet waste paipe.

[speedball1]

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 and thank you for rating my reply.. Tom

[bennyhill38]

Yes buy some liquid fire from the hareware store! Read all directions and please wear gloves and goggles! Pour a generous amount in the toilet let sit for 30 minutes. If it does work call a plumber!
Robert

[speedball1]

STOP!! This product contains sulfitic acid which can kill you. As a repair plumber I have never recommended using harsh chemicals. In your drainage system. Besides they only seem to work in TV commercials and when you try to remove the water you could burn your hands or damage your eyes. Some years back I lost a good friend by using a sulfitic acid based product in a unventilated bath room. My own lungs are scared from using acid to boil lime out of toilets. Follow my advice and stay away from products containing acid. Good luck, Tom

[ballengerb1]

I fully agree with Tom on this. Quote from the products msds report, "Violent reaction with water. Evolution of explosive
Hydrogen Gas on contact with most metals, will react
with organic material with evolution of heat and
dense white fumes." This is most certainly not the way to open a partially clogged toilet. Get the closet auger from any box store or hardware stoe. Have you tried just plunging it, frequently works.

[puffmugs]

I know of a incident where a homeowner poured a whole bottle Liquid Plumber in their toilet and it blew the sides out of the china toilet. Lucky there were no injuries.