High Pressure Toilets Won't Flush--Possible Blockage in Pipes
#1
11-04-06, 09:20 AM
High Pressure Toilets Won't Flush--Possible Blockage in Pipes
We have two high pressure toilets (sloan flushmate) upstairs. Both of them are having problems flushing anything down properly.
We've checked the psi and it's fine, same thing with the cartridge. When we listen to the pipe in the wall that it goes down through the downstairs wall, we only hear a trickle, instead of the rush of water we used to hear.
Do we most likely have a blockage in the pipes, and if so, what can we use to clear it up? We've tried snaking it with the toilet removed from the floor, and it's still the same.
Can we use muriatic acid with high pressure toilets if we have the toilet removed and just put it down the actual pipe in the floor, or is there something else we should use? They are PVC pipes.
We've already tried some mainline cleaner that was o.k. to use with high pressure toilets, for four days in a row, and it didn't work.
Thanks for the help
We've checked the psi and it's fine, same thing with the cartridge. When we listen to the pipe in the wall that it goes down through the downstairs wall, we only hear a trickle, instead of the rush of water we used to hear.
Do we most likely have a blockage in the pipes, and if so, what can we use to clear it up? We've tried snaking it with the toilet removed from the floor, and it's still the same.
Can we use muriatic acid with high pressure toilets if we have the toilet removed and just put it down the actual pipe in the floor, or is there something else we should use? They are PVC pipes.
We've already tried some mainline cleaner that was o.k. to use with high pressure toilets, for four days in a row, and it didn't work.
Thanks for the help
#2
11-04-06, 03:03 PM
First, I would recommend that you NEVER any chemicals in any drain....period. They are dangerous ( especially in the power flush toilet which may cause splashing) , they are completely diluted and therefor completely ineffective by the time the get to where the problem is, and if you now have to call in a plumber, he will charge you possibly as much as $250 to replace his cable, as they are ruined by exposure to chemicals.
The cable that you snaked with is likely way to small to be effective on a 3 or 4" line. You need to get a good plumber in with a good mainline machine.
The cable that you snaked with is likely way to small to be effective on a 3 or 4" line. You need to get a good plumber in with a good mainline machine.
#3
11-14-06, 04:51 PM
Well, we found the problem.
We went on their website and read the FAQ's, and thought we had a problem with the pressure valve and another part. We ordered them, and installed them--to the tune of $45. Still didn't solve the problem. Thankfully, I suggested we only buy the parts for one toilet to see if it solves the problem first.
They sent us a new cartridge (free because of a recall), and that didn't solve the problem either.
We called their tech line, went through some things, nothing, so they said we had a blockage not in the main sewer pipe, but the bowl itself.
We removed the toilet again (didn't look under the bowl the first time), and what did we find but two ink pens--the long kind.
Since we had problems with both toilets, we removed the other toilet as well, and found, you guessed it, two ink pens.
I guess one of our children decided it would be fun to see if they would flush. Neither one will fess up to it, but we think we know which one--a toddler you ask? No, a 13, soon to be 14 year old. The other is 11.
So, our problem is solved. I think I will lay a guilt trip on them for days until one of them confesses.
We went on their website and read the FAQ's, and thought we had a problem with the pressure valve and another part. We ordered them, and installed them--to the tune of $45. Still didn't solve the problem. Thankfully, I suggested we only buy the parts for one toilet to see if it solves the problem first.
They sent us a new cartridge (free because of a recall), and that didn't solve the problem either.
We called their tech line, went through some things, nothing, so they said we had a blockage not in the main sewer pipe, but the bowl itself.
We removed the toilet again (didn't look under the bowl the first time), and what did we find but two ink pens--the long kind.
Since we had problems with both toilets, we removed the other toilet as well, and found, you guessed it, two ink pens.
I guess one of our children decided it would be fun to see if they would flush. Neither one will fess up to it, but we think we know which one--a toddler you ask? No, a 13, soon to be 14 year old. The other is 11.
So, our problem is solved. I think I will lay a guilt trip on them for days until one of them confesses.
