Expert: speedball1 - 6/14/2004

Question
Toilet won't flush unless you do it 5-6 times. A lot of wasted water. we have tried different float levels, had the vent pipe cleaned. we tried a new toilet but it does the same thing, it's like it has no pressure to flush the waste down, the water swirls but does not empty from the bowl until you do it 5-6 times even the new toilet did this, where do I go from here? thanks, Don

Answer
Good morning Don,  Here's one 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.   Hope this helps and thank you for rating my reply.  Tom