[dgral]

Hello, I have had a slow flushing toilet for years... all it does is swirl... it usually flushes everything but you never actually get a flush... When I replaced the toilet about 5 years ago I thought that would solve the problem, but the problem still exists.
I am on a septic system and have tried everything snaking, plunging, chemicals like muratic acid at the suggestion of a plumber to no avail... My latest attempt was to snake the vent pipe closest to the toilet because that toilet is the only one having the problem the other one on the other side of our 1700 sq foot home works fine... Did I snake the wrong vent? Do you have any suggestions? Could it be the pipe leading from the toilet to the septic tank not being angled enough? Any help would be great... thanks,Dan

[massplumber2008]

Hi Dan

If you hold the lever down longer than usual while flushing the toilet does the flush behave better? Try that and then post back... could just be that you need to increase the "hang time" of the flapper (introduces more water down toilet) or increase the water level in the toilet tank.

Mark

[dgral]

Holding the handle down makes no difference... thanks for replying so quick

[massplumber2008]

If you fill a 5 gallon bucket with water and throw the water into the toilet bowl does the toilet flush good then?

Also, how high is the water level in the tank compared to the overflow tube in the center of the toilet tank?

Let me know...

[dgral]

Holding the handle down makes no difference... thanks for replying so quick

More water in the tank is no help either

[massplumber2008]

Did you fill the tank to the top of the overflow ?

[dgral]

More water in the tank is no help either

The 5 gallons made it flush normal... what could that mean?

[massplumber2008]

Added water could mean you need to get more water in tank... maybe a higher overflow tube and then more water? What height is water in tank?

[dgral]

The 5 gallons made it flush normal... what could that mean?

The water in the tank is 3 inches below the pipe

[massplumber2008]

Raise the water to within 1/2" of the top of the overflow tube and then try flushing again... water level is wayyyy too low!

[dgral]

The water in the tank is 3 inches below the pipe

I set it to the very top of the tube still no flush

[massplumber2008]

Try holding toilet handle for longer with increased level... could just need a flapper with a foam float now.

[dgral]

I will try to extend the tube higher somehow

[massplumber2008]

That and maybe purchase a universal flapper with a float on it (or add a float yourself)... adjust float so it is up real close to the flapper.

[dgral]

What could be the problem if more water in the tank is not the fix?

[massplumber2008]

Could be vent issue.. maybe? You could disconnect the toilet bolts and tip the toilet forward a bit and then flush toilet... see if that improves the flush. Here, no need to worry about overflowing the pipe if the drain is clear and this could show you if venting is the issue. If toilet flushes great tipped a bit so air can mix in with water being flushed down the drain either the toilet is unvented, the toilet vent is clogged, or, if the sink vent vents the toilet, it could be that the sink vent is clogged. Try tipping the toilet is the next thing I would try.

[dgral]

Thanks for your time you were a great help in trying to solve this problem... Dan

[massplumber2008]

Pop back anytime, Dan. We are glad to help!

[Mike45plus]

Dgral,
Your toilet may have a problem with the rim, or siphon jets. These small openings in the toilet bowl can become clogged / blocked, especially if your water supply has a high level of mineral ( hard water ).The siphon jet is usually located at six o'clock, slightly above the bottom of the bowl. There is a channel that connects this opening to the toilet tank, and, even a slight blockage there can reduce the effectiveness of the siphon action and flush.
The rim jets are located under the bowls rim, and, they too can become blocked by mineral deposits. These jets deliver water to the bowl, in a swirling, clockwise motion ( in this hemisphere ), that helps clean the bowls surfaces, and, the waters momentum continues into the trap way, contributing to the siphon action and flush.
I use a product called " Rydlyme " to dissolve hard water mineral deposits. Typically, I'll pour a pint of this biodegradeable solvent into the toilet bowl, and then use a turkey baster to squirt some of the fluid into the toilet tank overflow tube...