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Message |
    
bandw
Citizen
Username: Bandw
Post Number: 107
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 1:32 pm: | 
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We have a perpetually slow toilet that just doesn't have the same flushing "oomph" it used to have. We're concerned that there are blockages in the waste pipe. Does anyone know the best way to clear that up? I know that snaking is an option, but I hear it can seriously damage pipes (and, as the toilet is directly over our brand new kitchen, I'm particularly concerned about bursting waste pipes). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1830
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
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There are a lot of excellent plumbers on this board (Gateway comes to mind), but for something like this I wonder if Ronnie (973-313-9093) might not be a good first choice? |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12024
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 2:25 pm: |
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I will give my standard warning that in most of the old houses here the bend that comes up to the toilet flange is made of lead and that a homeowner using a snake is probably a very bad idea as the lead is both old and soft.
I agree that Ronnie is a good choice for clogged drains. |
Michael K. McKell
Citizen
Username: Mckellconst
Post Number: 12
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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I 2nd Bob on the soft lead bend. |
kevin
Supporter
Username: Kevin
Post Number: 764
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 3:53 pm: |
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I'm not so sure that your problem is a clog - especially if none of the other drains are having a problem. If it is one of the older toilets, there is a good chance that if the flush is just getting lazy, it is probably calcified, meaning the rim jets might be clogged up with mineral deposits.
Most plumbers won't touch the job to fix a calcified toilet which requires using concentrated HCL (hydrochloric acid) and they usually recommend replacing the bowl (with one of those low-flow toilets that are now required).
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daylaborer
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 783
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 6:01 pm: |
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One way to check for a clog vs calcification is to dump a bucket of water into the bowl. If it is still slow to drain, then you have a clog. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 865
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 7:15 pm: |
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I've noticed that nobody suggested liquid plummer or something similar...is there a reason I should be avoiding this approach? |
Dennis J O'Neill
Citizen
Username: Plungy
Post Number: 51
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 8:53 pm: |
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Sound like you have a calcium deposit clogging the jet ( that's the small hole down in the bowl not the big hole that takes everything down) What happens is the water can't get from the tank into the bowl fast enough to create a syphon so it just makes a kind of lazy swirl when you flush.
You may see a black or brown or grey deposit in that area and immediately inside the jet hole.
This stuff is usually pretty tough because it is similar to the calcium that seashells are made of.
You can usually dig it out with a stubby, or miniature screwdriver to clear the hole.
The flush should improve immediately.
As with most of life's problems I would resort to strong chemicals only as a last resort. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1834
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 9:37 pm: |
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Smarty,
This may be an 'urban legend' (albeit a boring one), but I've heard that in these old houses the only thing holding some of the waste pipes together is the gunk. Cleaning out the pipes with something like Liquid Plumber might just be the last thing you do... well, that's way too dramatic - it might be the last thing you do prior to calling a plumber.
I like the comments about the clogged jets; give it a shot, but if that doesn't do it then call Ronnie (or someone else). I would really really REALLY stay away from the liquid plumber stuff - 'pipe safe' or otherwise. |
sac
Supporter
Username: Sac
Post Number: 3598
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 10:13 pm: |
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I've always heard that you should NEVER put drain cleaner in any toilet. |
bandw
Citizen
Username: Bandw
Post Number: 108
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:15 pm: |
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Thanks for all of your comments. As a follow-up, however, if the toilet is clogged and neither snaking nor chemicals are the answer, then what's the solution? Is there a solution? Or, to put it another way am I s---- out of luck? |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 360
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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Re/read Dennis O'Neill's post. |
bandw
Citizen
Username: Bandw
Post Number: 109
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 2:05 pm: |
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Sorry, I don't think my last post was clear. What I meant was, what if the pipes are clogged with waste debris as opposed to the toilet's jets being clogged with calcium deposits? If the former, what are my options assuming that snaking and chemicals are not recommended? |
Dennis J O'Neill
Citizen
Username: Plungy
Post Number: 52
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:24 pm: |
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We seldom see a partial stoppage where a toilet is concerned. If there is anything at all in the toilet, even a Qtip lodged across the outlet, it will tend to catch toilet paper and cause the toilet to clog completely.
Also you almost never see a "gunk buildup" in a toilet or the 3" or 4" closet bend or stack below a toilet. "Gunk" happens in kitchen sink drains mainly where cooking grease residue builds up over time. Nine times out of ten if a toilet is just flushing slowly but not clogging completly, it is due to a calcium deposit in the jetway between the tank and the bowl.
Alas, if I could only find a girl I could talk to intellegently about plummin'!} |
daylaborer
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 786
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 5:33 pm: |
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"Alas, if I could only find a girl I could talk to intellegently about plummin'!}"
Now there's a thread you could run with!
"Ah hey baby, c'mon back to the shop and I'll show you my ........?" |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1836
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 6:38 pm: |
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So, just to answer the question directly - try the jets, then call someone.
Some really excellent points about "plumbing logic" here, I'm glad I read it all. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2924
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 6:24 am: |
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If you do have to replace the toilet, you might consider a "pressure assist" model. When we moved here, we replaced both bad lo-flo's with same. Excellent performance, and only somewhat more expensive. They were recommended to us by the plumber, but are also sold in Home Depots and elsewhere. |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 362
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 9:52 am: |
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So, what happened, bandw? Did Dennis O'Neill save you a headache and money? The man knows what he is talking about.
By the way, I have used the pressure assist models and find them to be noisy. Additionally, I wonder in what way they might break down while connected to the pressure line and worry about major damage being done. Guess I'm just a worrywort. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2930
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 10:10 am: |
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mrm, all I can tell you on this is that we had 2 put in our previous house (bathroom re-dos and couldn't face lo-flo/slo-flo having seen it/used it in other folks' bathrooms).
Moved here, and welcome to two tiny, tired, round seat miniature toilets. Immediately replaced with pressure assist models. This is their 4th year and (knock wood) haven't had a problem yet even with comparative careless, heavy use (female kid, lots of female friends). Yes, a big WHOOSH!! when you flush but no running, no noise thereafter. Love them, love them, love them. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12061
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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Better a noisy toilet than a blockage spewing excrement on the floor.  |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2931
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 10:27 am: |
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er, yeah...or the multiple flush action where you wait patiently for the tank to refill while watching the bowl contents slowly, slowly drain...will it all go this time? Oh, the suspense of it all! |
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