[unclebowl]

Hi there, I got 2 toilets in my apartment. My problems with the toilet is that after I flush the water in the bowl refills normal but very low. Also there is very poor drainage, although I'm not sure that's the correct term.:) What I mean is that not everything gets flushed away on the first flush and sometimes it takes a couple of flushes. And it often gets clogged. Actually its clogged right now.:o I have the same problem with the second toilet although that one refills fine and the water level in the bowl is normal. I've used several bottles of drano on both in the past and that with plunging it temporarily solves the problem but it doesn't get any better. I'm basically just waiting for the next clog. I've been thinking of renting a snake and seeing what that would do. Also there's a build of some really gross looking brown stuff in the tank part of both, its mostly on one side of the tank. Any ideas on what that is and how to get rid of it? Any sort of direction or opinions on my situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time:)

[hauser5]

I used to have that problem when I moved into a rental house where a kid had thrown a pencil in there and it was stuck just below the bowl part of the toilet. It may be worth draining the toilet out, and lifting it up to see if anything is stuck in there. Not sure how much it would cost, but maybe you know someone who could do it. (Replacing the wax seal below the toilet and the floor has to be done each time a toilet is lifted, to ensure proper seal.) I fixed mine myself!

[speedball1]

not everything gets flushed away on the first flush and sometimes it takes a couple of flushes. And it often gets clogged.

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

there's a build of some really gross looking brown stuff in the tank part of both, its mostly on one side of the tank. Any ideas on what that is and how to get rid of it?

This sounds like iron oxcide,(rust) in your water. Shut the water off at the stop and drain the tank. Now scrub the bottom with full strength bleach. Better now?

I've been thinking of renting a snake and seeing what that would do

Don't rent a snake unless you want to check and clear the vent that services the bathroom. If you wish to snake the toilet purchase a closet auger from yoiur local plumbing supply house or your local hardware store and follow directions on auguring your toilet bowl. Good luck, Tom

[unclebowl]

Thanks a lot to you both : D I'm going to get on that this weekend and I'll get back to let you know how it goes. Although I'm not really looking forward to the sticking my finger into the toilet part : p