My upstairs toilet will not flush properly. It acts as if it is clogged but I plunged it for quite some time as well as added a drainno type fluid and no luck. I even strapped on the old rubber gloves and stuck my hand in there - felt nothing...

When I flush it the water comes into the bowl and rise's to the top and just sits there. After a some time it slowly drains so the water level is below normal. Thinking it might just be some TP stuck there I let it sit over night thinking it would soften and breakup, no luck.

Any suggestions?

 

It may be too late for plunging. The problem is that most people do not know how to properly plunge. (excuse me if you are not one of them) The plunger should be positioned at the bottom of the bowl and SLOWLY depressed. Then pull up in a quick motion to PULL the plug or clog out of the bowl, not push it in further. This may have to be repeated a few times.
In your case, are there children that may have dropped something in the toilet that the paper is now wrapping around causing the clog? (I always blame the kids because adults would never do this). I have found toothbrushes, combs and hair picks in the traps of toilets. Most toilets have a maximum of a 2" exit hole in the bottom of the bowl. That would allow lots of things to plug it. You may now have the task of pulling the toilet up to look from underneath. Good luck.

 

Ok, this I have actually done before. Of course I have plunged a toilet before too and have appernetly been doing it wrong - so, any suggestions, pointers, etc?

 

Procedure was covered in my last post. Now what you may want to do if you have tried plunging again, is to rent a Closet auger. These are made especially for toilet clog removal. They have a heavy auger on them and are simple to use. They also have a protective sleeve on them to stop the auger from scratching the surface of the bowl. Probably less that $10 for a full day rental and you shouldn't need it even a half day. (actually less than 10 minutes) If that doesn't clear the clog then you will have to remove the toilet. Most plumbers will not auger through the bowl with a regular snake as the risk of scratching the bowl is very high. Good luck.

 

you got kids?...they read or do puzzles in the bathroom?

mine did...had a toilet act same as you....finally i pulled the toilet off...a lead pencil was sideways ove the soil pipe...paper would wrap on it and slooowly drain away....new wax seal and all was good....and in time eldest son admitted he dropped pencil and was not sticking his hand in there to retrieve it so he just flushed


good luck on your problem

 

No I don't have kids but I'll blame it one someone else's!! :-) I do how ever have a Fiancé and I wouldn't be shocked if I end up pulling out a contact lenses case or article of make up...

Anyway, so I went back at it with a 3-foot snake/auger last night with no luck. I can get the snake all the way down it so I assume it is going through the toilet and into the drain pipe in the floor - what is the chance when I pull the toilet I will find something in the toilet still?

I guess my point is if the snake went all the down and back out a half dozen times what are the odds there is something in the toilet and not the drain pipe in the floor?

I ask because I have the soon to be in-laws coming tomorrow afternoon and if I'm going to have to call the plumber then I better do it now.

 

Did you use a Closet Auger or a small drain snake? The 1/4 to 3/8" snakes can go right by a clog. Closet Augers are about 1" in diameter. If you call a Plumber, that will probably be the first tool he brings out. (unless he needs more time on the job) With company coming, if you do not feel confident doing the job, call the plumber. Good luck.

 

I used a small snake - about 1/4 thick. I'm fine with taking the toilet out, was just concerned if I do and then find the clog is further down the line I will need to call a plumber anyway.

With the upcoming wedding bills I will pull the toilet and hope that’s the problem...

Now, unfortunately the toilet was used before we realized we had a clog - I did my best at cleaning before I went at it with the auger and plunger but there is still some "remnants"/very brown water - any suggestions on making as small a mess a possible when taking the toilet out? Besides the standard turn the water off and flush the toilet of course...

Thanks again for your help!

 

Removing the toilet will force you to have to lay it down to clean the remnants of the old wax seal off the bottom of the bowl. Plus looking up into the bottom. Unless you use a shop vac, you will need a bunch of rags to soak up the water remaining in the trap. The tank can be drained when you disconnect the supply tube from the valve. Get one or two containers to catch the water as it comes out the supply tube. Have a sheet of plastic ready to lay the toilet on when you remove it. Drop cloths work good for this and are inexpensive since you will probably want to throw it away when done.

 

Just wanted to let you know how I made I out:

After a few more try's with the snake I decided the toilet had to come off. So once I got that off, out side, and cleaned up a little bit I started at it from the bottom with the snake. After about 15 minutes of trying that I realized I had another identical toilet in our storage unit - I remodeled the bathroom downstairs and hadn't gotten around to tossing out the old toilet yet (procrastination pays off! WaHoo!). So I simply installed the other toilet - works great!

Thanks again for all the help - this site has been a wealth of knowledge for the beginner do-it-yourselfer.

 

Glad you got the problem solved and DIYed it. We are always here for your questions and problems. Thanks for posting the results.