? for the plumbers

[moparguy]

Our commode is about 20 years old (big tank) and over the past few months it's developed the bad habit of not voiding all the contents when flushed. I tried cleaning out the jets along the rim, no help.



Now for the crazy thing, if you lay a plunger in it, letting it partially block the outlet, it will make a nice whirlpool and completely empty, every time.



So, whats up and how do I fix it.



Thanks, RJR

 

[Bertram65]

Not a plumber so my terms may be off, but I would get a rebuild kit for it with a new float for the trap door in the tank, I think that is what it is called. When this "float" stops floating well the trap door that dumps the water into the bowl does not open fully and you get a weak flush. They have the rebuild kits at HD for less than $10.

 

[bmoeller]

How is the drain vent?

 

[phloop]

I replied over on that other site, but check out the wax sealing ring that goes in between the toilet and the floor flange. If your toilet is that old, that wax has probably lost it's seal. It won't leak any water but will suck air as it flushes, or tries to any way. After that many trips, that old toilet is more than likely a little loose.

 

[moparguy]

Thanks for the replys, I'm gonna run the water hose down the vent today and see if water backs up. Don't think it will since no trees are near that part of the house.



The valve and flapper are in good shape, but you know I hadn't thought about the wax seal. You may have hit on it phloop. I had about decided to replace the unit, but the seal could be the culprit eventhought there is no obvious signs of anything being amiss (well other than the flushing,lol).





RJR

 

[Kvic]

moparguy, as a journeyman plumber, check the siphon hole. That is the small hole at the bottom of the bowl as you look down o it. Use a mirror and a flashlight to see if water deposits have partiall blocked it. If it is, use a stubby screwdriver to scrape it out. This hole shoots a jet of water to star the bowl emptying. Hope this helps.



Kvic