Power toilet
#1
Power toilet
After having plumber take a camera to the pipes, they say a power toilet is what I need to get the waste to the other side of the house where the septic tank is. They say they can fix me up with a good American Standard for $650 installed. !!!!!!!! My brother can install the toilet for me if I can figure out which one to get.
What should I look for in the power toilet?
Thank you for your help
What should I look for in the power toilet?
Thank you for your help
#2
they say a power toilet is what I need to get the waste to the other side of the house where the septic tank is
As far as I know a power flush toilet isn't going to discharge enough water to help your situation.
#3
Group Moderator
So, are you going to address the plumbing problem requiring the special toilet or are you just going for the toilet?
#4
Once the powered water is in the drain pipe, it will carry the same force as a traditional toilet. The only time I have used a powered toilet is in a hotel, where the toilet discharge was out the rear of the toilet and not the bottom. Low flush would not provide enough force to push everything out so a powered option was all that is available in a rear discharge toilet.
First off, what plumbing issues are you having?
Second, well, get a second opinion from a different plumber. Don't mention anything to the second plumber and see what he says.
First off, what plumbing issues are you having?
Second, well, get a second opinion from a different plumber. Don't mention anything to the second plumber and see what he says.
#5
The only thing I know is that my shower backs up at least once a year and I have to call a plumber to come clean out what they say is a clog. I am on a septic tank and have it emptied every other year as a precaution. 2 adults and 2 youngsters in the house. Problem always seems to be on this end of the house. (Full bath and laundry on same drain.) We are very careful about hair and anything else going down the drain.
With plumber saying pipes are clear (60 year old pipes) I dont know what to do. Can’t have shower backing up like this all this often. I am at a loss. Except for the cost I like the idea of having another plumber come out to check. Do I wait a couple of months to get another clog and then call a different plumber? . Or Do I call another plumber now . . . and tell them what? I am already out over $500 and still don’t know a reason for the clogging up.
It’s so frustrating. I am sorry if I have posted in the wrong forum.
With plumber saying pipes are clear (60 year old pipes) I dont know what to do. Can’t have shower backing up like this all this often. I am at a loss. Except for the cost I like the idea of having another plumber come out to check. Do I wait a couple of months to get another clog and then call a different plumber? . Or Do I call another plumber now . . . and tell them what? I am already out over $500 and still don’t know a reason for the clogging up.
It’s so frustrating. I am sorry if I have posted in the wrong forum.
#6
Group Moderator
It sounds like everything works most of the time since you say the shower only backs up twice a year. What have the plumbers said is causing the clog? Does it always clog in the same location? Is the clog always in the same spot?
#7
pipes are clear (60 year old pipes)
#9
According to the plumber I have steel pipes. He says the line is clear but there is a little 'dip' 33 feet in. They never told me what it was that clogged it up or exactly where it was. We do not put anything down the drain that shouldn't be there. Being on a septic tank I prefer to err on the safe side and not toss anything down that doesn't need to go there.
Since they say they don't see a collapsed pipe should I have someone else come and run their camera through it? I could let it go until it happens again and then call someone else. I'm certainly at their mercy.
Since they say they don't see a collapsed pipe should I have someone else come and run their camera through it? I could let it go until it happens again and then call someone else. I'm certainly at their mercy.
#10
It shouldn't have a dip. But settling could cause this condition. In which case the pipe could be cracked. The proper fix is to dig it up and fix it.
If you don't want to do that then it might behoove you to get an industrial type snake and snake it out yourself every few months.
If you don't want to do that then it might behoove you to get an industrial type snake and snake it out yourself every few months.
#11
Group Moderator
If you are saying the dip is in your main drain line leaving the house then a powered toilet really won't solve the problem. It won't hurt, except your wallet, but it does not solve the underlying problem. If you have a low spot in your drain pipe things will always settle and collect in the low spot forming clogs.
#12
If you have a tub on the upside of the clog, periodically fill the tub with water and then let it drain. Should help push whatever is in the pipes out and down to the septic. Maybe do this quarterly. The constant and large stream of water should push things forward.
#14
Upside of the clog is master bath (shower/sink/toilet only) and possibly kitchen. I don't use the garbage disposal and do rinse dishes before loading into dishwasher.
I'm thinking that Pilot Dane is probably right - it's going to be an ongoing thing unless I dig up the floor. Not ready for that expense unless absolutely necessary. What I'll probably do is wait for the toilet to start gurgling again and/or maybe the shower to start slowing down. When that happens I'll either call in a different plumber or get myself a drain auger and see if I can clear it out myself. Since the clogs seems to happen down the pipe a bit does the auger go down the toilet or can I put it down the shower. (Much easier I would think)
I'm thinking that Pilot Dane is probably right - it's going to be an ongoing thing unless I dig up the floor. Not ready for that expense unless absolutely necessary. What I'll probably do is wait for the toilet to start gurgling again and/or maybe the shower to start slowing down. When that happens I'll either call in a different plumber or get myself a drain auger and see if I can clear it out myself. Since the clogs seems to happen down the pipe a bit does the auger go down the toilet or can I put it down the shower. (Much easier I would think)
#15
does the auger go down the toilet or can I put it down the shower.
#16
That shoots that idea. I am not comfortable removing the toilet myself nor asking my brother to do it on a yearly basis. He would say no problem but I dont think it’s cool to ask.
Guess that leaves me with waiting for the toilet to gurgle again and hiring a different plumber next time. I’m not liking this one bit. I dont like feeling like I am at another persons mercy. Fortunately, for the present time I can send the wash water out the french drain. Thank you all for your input. Plumbing is SO far out of my realm of expertise.
Guess that leaves me with waiting for the toilet to gurgle again and hiring a different plumber next time. I’m not liking this one bit. I dont like feeling like I am at another persons mercy. Fortunately, for the present time I can send the wash water out the french drain. Thank you all for your input. Plumbing is SO far out of my realm of expertise.
#17
Update - neighbor has suggested that when this happens again I request a power wash kind of thing for my pipes.
In the meantime I am expecting a copy of the camera results.
Comments?
Thanks so much all of you - You are always my go-to for answers and confirmation of what local people tell me.
In the meantime I am expecting a copy of the camera results.
Comments?
Thanks so much all of you - You are always my go-to for answers and confirmation of what local people tell me.
#18
Turns out that the lift pump to the septic drainfield had died. It got my attention by the blaring alarm going off. I got that replaced and have had no problems since then. I guess that 8 years is a pretty darn good life for a septic pump.
Messy job but I watched them do it so I could do it again someday if I needed to.
Expensive lesson. Call septic people first.
Once again, thank you all for your input. This place is my go-to when I need advice and you are always here for me. Much appreciated.
Messy job but I watched them do it so I could do it again someday if I needed to.
Expensive lesson. Call septic people first.
Once again, thank you all for your input. This place is my go-to when I need advice and you are always here for me. Much appreciated.
#19
That's a separate issue and didn't cause all your past clogs--so it'll happen again.
That "dip" in your pipe @ 33 feet is under the floor of the house? Do you have a cleanout that can give you access to the clog area? Where have previous plumbers fed in their snake? It only took one clog & expensive emergency call for me to dig up the soil pipe & install a cleanout so I can handle this myself. Worth it in the long run...
That "dip" in your pipe @ 33 feet is under the floor of the house? Do you have a cleanout that can give you access to the clog area? Where have previous plumbers fed in their snake? It only took one clog & expensive emergency call for me to dig up the soil pipe & install a cleanout so I can handle this myself. Worth it in the long run...
#20
Oh geez. I was hoping that had done it. The plumber fed the snake from the roof so the 33 feet is probably under my dining room or living room. I DO have a cleanout right by the septic tank that a plumber put in a couple of years ago. I'll have to keep that in mind if/when it happens again. I will have to see about snaking it from that point myself. Thank you for replying to the post