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    frankt's Avatar
    frankt Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 1, 2007, 03:42 PM
    Toilet not draining properly (intermittent )
    Toilet in one bathroom drains intermittently. Have run a snake, but to no avail. Flush one time, all is well and seems to be working properly. Flush another time, water fills in bowl and eventually drains down to lower level in bowl.?

    Thanks for your help!
    doug238's Avatar
    doug238 Posts: 1,560, Reputation: 62
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #2

    May 2, 2007, 03:48 AM
    The toilet may be clogged. You also may have a clogged drain. Does it back up into a tub or shower?
    Pivoman's Avatar
    Pivoman Posts: 17, Reputation: 0
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Dec 21, 2008, 02:15 PM

    Buy yourself a closet auger. Not one of those cheap models, I suggest a Rigid Closet Auger. You will need something to last. Next push the cable down your toilet, crank the handle clockwise until the cable extends all the way down the toilet. Flush the toilet a few times, you will know if it's clear. If that doesn't fix your toilet problems. Go to Home Depot rent yourself a portable rodder with 3/8 inch cable. Pull your toilet and rod the waste line. Have a bucket of water handy, pour it down the line a couple of times. If it goes down everything is O.K... Goodl Luck
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Dec 21, 2008, 02:26 PM
    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
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