Toilet Troubles
#1
10-22-04, 07:04 AM
Toilet Troubles
Good Morning all,
I bought a house 3 weeks ago. Age approx 40 years old. Had a problem with the toilet in the master bedroom, so i replaced it. Been working great up until yesterday.
Now when the brand new toilet is flushed water will fill up the bowl, and then very slowly drain out of the bowl, but unfortunately it will not removed any remaining contents deposited in the bowl. The other toilet in the house works fine. Sinks work fine, showers work fine.
Also another thing i can here alot of gurgling coming from the toilet at random times, like air coming up the pipes from somewhere, hopefully someone can help im tired for using another bathroom.
Thanks All
I bought a house 3 weeks ago. Age approx 40 years old. Had a problem with the toilet in the master bedroom, so i replaced it. Been working great up until yesterday.
Now when the brand new toilet is flushed water will fill up the bowl, and then very slowly drain out of the bowl, but unfortunately it will not removed any remaining contents deposited in the bowl. The other toilet in the house works fine. Sinks work fine, showers work fine.
Also another thing i can here alot of gurgling coming from the toilet at random times, like air coming up the pipes from somewhere, hopefully someone can help im tired for using another bathroom.
Thanks All
#2
10-22-04, 08:31 AM
Member
From your description it sounds like you have a plugged vent line. When you flush the toilet, the water leaves but is starved for air to let the water flow down the drainline. (example is sticking a drinking straw in a glass of water and then putting your finger over the top of the straw and lifting it out of the water.When you remove your finger, the water will flow out.)You will have to make a trip onto the roof and look into the vent. May be clogged with birdsnest,spiderwebs with leaves on top etc. If so, clear all you can by hand and then flush pipe with a garden hose. Good luck and post back. PS Welcome to DIY.
#3
10-22-04, 09:13 AM
majakdragon- thanks for the info. i didnt even know toilets had air vent lines. Now comes my major problem (hope not though) I have no idea where the air vent lines are. I have absolutely no vents coming thru the roof, and i dont think there are any in the attic. Guess i will have to go climb around up there. How big should this vent be? Could it be under the house by chance? And you said "flush pipe with a garden hose" you mean directly into the airvent correct?
Well off to find flashlight...
Thanks for the quick response.
Well off to find flashlight...
Thanks for the quick response.
#4
10-22-04, 10:10 AM
Member
If you have NO vents coming out the roof, then you have a bunch of problems. The vents not only allow the air to facilitate drainage....they let the sewer gas out. Depending on where you live the vents may be as small as 2' pipe or as large as 4'. Vent lines MUST go out through the roof. Hope they didn't dead end them in your attic. If you venture into the attic, go to a place above your toilet and you will find the vent line. It is an extension of your main drain line. Yes, I did mean flush directly into the vent with a garden hose. Post back and let me know what you find.
#5
10-22-04, 02:13 PM
Well, spent the better part of 2 hours up in the attic in the hot louisiana sun. My opinion, i think i need a real plumber. First went above operational bathroom, found 3" (?) cast iron pipe coming up from below, stops just short of roof line, cant tell if its a vent but could possibly be.
Next went above none operational bathroom, was unable to find any vents, infact could not find any pipes/vents coming up from bathroom at all. NOt to sure what i need to do at this point...(but i think it will be expensive)
Next went above none operational bathroom, was unable to find any vents, infact could not find any pipes/vents coming up from bathroom at all. NOt to sure what i need to do at this point...(but i think it will be expensive)
#6
10-22-04, 04:18 PM
Member
If you find no vent line from the problem toilet, it MAY be tied in before the pipe you see in the attic. (horizontal run across the joists.) It is obvious that no one inspected your house. It is against every code I know of. Safety is a big issue here and sewer gas is nothing to play with. Vent lines MUST exit the dwelling. Back to your original problem. Have someone flush the problem toilet while you are in the attic and see if you hear air being sucked into the line.
