I am having a problem with my toilet not flushing all the way. This started about a month ago. When the toilet is flushed, it starts to go down and then stops. It acts like there is not enough water going in. I've checked the tank and it fills up. Even if I hold the handle so that the flapper doesn't close, it does the same thing. I have a second bathroom that has no problems so it's not the main line. I have plunged it many times and snaked it with a 25' snake and found nothing. If I dump a bucket of water into the bowl, it goes down fine. Someone told me that it could be a calcium build up due to the hard water in Florida so I let it soak with CLR a couple of times. I don't see any build up and can't find any. I'm ready to replace the toilet. Any suggestions?

 

The calcium buildup your friend mentioned is in the small holes just under the rim. They serve to rinse the bowl but they also provide some of the flush water. They may or may not be your problem.

Yuo may have a partial obstruction in the trap that is an integral part of the bowl. A snake will go right past and a plunger will just push water past the blockage. Try a closet auger. It is specifically designed to clear toilet traps.
You can buy an inexpensive one at any big box. Nice to have in the home anyway.

The problem could also be a blocked vent, but if you have no other indications (gurgling drains etc.) that's probably not your problem.

 

Look under the inside rim of the bowl (us a small mirror) and see if the little holes under the rim are clogged. This is where the calcium build up may be. Poke around there and see if it takes care of your problem.

 

Thanks for the reply. I did use a standard toilet auger, but found nothing. As far as the holes under the rim, they seem to be OK. I was wondering if it was the bigger hole that adds the power blast of water, but I put my finger in there as far as I could feel and didn't feel any blockage. I read about putting dish soap in the toilet and then pouring a pot of boiling water from about chest high into the toilet. Everyone in that forum claimed that it was the miracle cure. I did it twice to no avail.

 

Hi, Pour about a half gallon of muratic acid down the overflow in the toilet tank.Let it set for abot 45 minutes then flush. This method puts the acid inside the toilet where you can't see. Be careful using this acid. I work fast and get out of the bathroom,
Good Luck Woodbutcher

 

Muratic acid is tough stuff, avoid the fumes (burns inside the nose) and don't get it on your hands. Turn on the vent fan and close the door

 

I've got some for the pool. I'll give it a try. Thanks

 

Be very care with that stuff. Open every window in the bathroom and put a fan in the window so you know its being sucked out(not all bathroom fans vent to the outside!!!).
I've had a toilet before that I couldn't fix. I ended up taking it off the floor and laying it on its back. I found a lot of junk inside the toilet. Somebody flushed the bathrooms trash and women products down the toilet and they got caught just right to cause problems.