Plumbing in the Home/toilet bowl syphoning

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Expert: Dana Bostick - 6/27/2009


Question
I need help I have two toilets in the house. They are located generally back to back in the 2 bathrooms. I just finished remodeling master bath after 4 years in progress. The master bath toilet hadn't been used. Now when I flush the toilet in master it syphons the water from the toilet bowl in the guest bath and vice-a-versa. Do I need to replace both toilet? or will something else work?

Answer
hello Joy,
This usually indicates a venting problem. Either there is no vent for the toilets or it is connected incorrectly so that when you flush a toilet the flooded line blocks the venting action.  Without a working vent, the flushing toilet is trying to vent through the other toilet and is pulling a vacuum on the line and sucking the water out of the other toilet.  Who did the plumbing? They need to come back and fix it. It's not a problem with the toilets themselves.
Best,
Dana

Plumbing in the Home

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Dana Bostick

Expertise

Pretty much any residential plumbing questions. For "item specific" details such as a specific model of fixture, I will need to research and there may not be any useful information available. Note: I live and work in Southern California. We do not, as a rule, use hot water or steam heating systems, oil fired boilers or private water wells so my knowledge in those areas is pretty limited. There are others here on AllExerts that can probably answer those questions better.

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Retired Licensed General Contractor with Plumbing, HVAC and Electrical sub-licenses. Active Certified InterNachi Home Inspector and Infrared Thermographer

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InterNachi

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SearchWarp, Article Alley, www.DIYHomeInspection.blogspot.com, ActiveRain.com "Rain Maker",

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30 years in the trades, Licensed General Contractor, Certified Infrared Thermographer

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InterNachi Certified Property Inspector, Listed FHA Fee Inspector, HUD Mobile Home Inspector

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Home buyers, sellers and owners, Investors, Commercial roofing companies (infrared roof scans for moisture intrusion)

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