[mfrmlog]

Weak flush in toilet. Ran snake and plunger and toilet doesn't appear clogged. What's the possible culprit and/or solution?

[mygirlsdad77]

Check water level in tank. Should be about half to one inch below overflow tube.

Clean rim holes. Use a metal clothes hanger to clear all holes on under side of rim. Also clear jet port in bottom of bowl(hole about the size of a quarter)

Is water being supplied to overflow when toilet is flushed? Many options here, try these first and let me know if things work out, if not, come back and we will take the next step.

[bones252100]

A strong flush requires 2 things: Sufficient water weight to push the contents of the bowl through the toilet & a clear exit path. Remove the tank cover & check the water level. Unless the toilet is new, there will be a water stain indicating the normal water level set when it was installed. The maximum water weight is obtained by raising the water level to just below the stand-off pipe which appears to be a white plastic pipe in the center of the bowl. This pipe is actually a safety feature in case the fill valve sticks open & tries to overfill the tank. The excess water water is routed through the bowl increasing your water usage but preventing water spillage into your home.
You indicated a "snake" and plunger were used to clear any clogs. A Closet Auger ($25 at Home Depot, Lowe's,etc.) will go through all the curves of the toilet body down into the sewer line. While you make not have a blockage, there may be a lot of "crap" in there causing a restricted exit path. This is the typical cause of slow flushing toilets.
The other reason occurs only in very old toilets. Mineral deposits can build up inside the passages of the toilet. This restricts the exit path. While there are chemical remedies for this problem, the toilet bowl may require replacement.

[bones252100]

OOPS! Forgot the Jet Valve! Speedball1 had this answer last year.

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

[mygirlsdad77]

This would be the jet port that I mentioned in post #2. Although speedball definitely gave a better description. He knows his trade.

Hope to hear back from mfrmiog, just to know how things are going.

[mfrmlog]

Thanks for the advice "mygirlsdad77" and bones 252100. I did botha and still no luck. I'm going to try to take apart toilet and see anything. It's old (20+ yrs).. may be time to send her to the pasture.

Once again... thanks for taking the time to help

[mygirlsdad77]

You may have a clog in the line beyond toilet. I would pull toilet, and try to dump a five gallon bucket of water down the hole as fast as possible. If the water backs up at all, you may try to run an auger down the hole. If all water goes down as fast as you can poor it, I would take a good hard look at toilet. Regular toilets are quite inexpensive, so you may decide to take this route. However, please let us know what you find. Good luck, take care,]


Lee