[Joe_S814]

Six months ago, I had a toilet in a seldom used half-bath that needed the flush valve replaced. Because of the holidays, I turned off the supply line and never got around to replacing the flush valve. Last week, the toilet in the master bath started having slow flush issues. One time the flush will work normally on the first flush, but then if you try a second flush as soon as the tank fills, the bowl will fill to the point of overflowing, but very slowly drain over a period of thirty minutes. After a weekend of plunging, snaking, and cleaning the rim holes of the master toilet without success, I get the idea to check on the forgotten toilet in the half-bath. It turns out the bowl of the half-bath toilet has been dry for some time.

My question is: Could the fact the half-bath toilet had no water in the bowl impact the suction and flushing of the toilet in the master? Both toilets are on the second floor of a two story home, and there are no drainage issues with the sink or shower in the master bath.

Thanks in advance.

[ma0641]

Would not have any effect but there was no sewer gas smell? The bowl needs water to form the trap seal.

[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. Good luck, Tom

[Mike45plus]

Tom is correct, older toilets rely on the syphon jet to start the flush, and mineral deposits will compromise this action. I use a product called Rydlyme ( rydlyme.com) to dissolve the minerals found in the syphon & rim jets; it is a safe, extremely effective, biodegradable descaler. Once I fill the toilet bowl with a 50/50 mix of water & rydlyme, I use a turkey baster to fill the overflow tube, and squirt rydlyme into the rim jets.