Toilet - Slow Flush

[Vic Smith]

Just subscribed to this group so I apologize if this is widely known.

My toilet started flushing slowly. Floaters needed a couple flushes. Hardly any vortex to speak of. Very weak flush. It's a standard toilet maybe 50 years old.

First thought it might be a vent restriction, but rejected that. Then I concluded that something was stuck in the loop. Like a plastic handled hairbrush or a toy. I snaked it numerous times but couldn't feel anything. After enough nagging from my wife, I decided to just pull it and put in a new one. Sort of wanted to hammer it to pieces to see what was in there. That's my destructive side.

But my son got in there first and noticed scale in the siphon jet hole. That's the hole in the bottom fed by the tank. He took a stubby screwdriver and coat hanger to the hole and scraped out a load of scale. Toilet works perfect since, with a strong vortex. Surprised me.

The holes in the rim seem to flow water okay, so I suspect the siphon jet got scaled up because there's always water sitting there. Might be a good idea to vinegar clean toilets once in a while, especially if you have hard water. I'd turn off the water supply, empty the tank and soak out the bowl. Then pour enough vinegar in the tank to flow through the rim holes when flushed. Then add enough vinegar to the bowl to submerge the siphon jet, and let it sit overnight. Probably need a few bucks worth of vinegar. That's what I'd do. But I have to find the time.

This is a pretty good vid of how toilets work. I can't help the leading 15 second ad, so don't blame me.

--Vic

[hallerb]

yeah muriatic acid removes all that sediment fast and cheap....

if a toilet flushes solids fine with a bucket the drains etc are all fine.

[Bob Villa]

Check under the rim, in the front to see if there is another jet that is clogged. It can account for a significant volume added to the flush. (It is slightly lower than the rim-on the right)

[Oren]

Vic (OP) follow this advice. This "slow flush" comes up all the time here.

This link will have you in business in 20 minutes, not using vinegar.

Make note for septic tanks and neutralize before a flush of acid.

_How to Fix a Slow Toilet_

[Vic Smith]

Thanks for that. The toilet's been working fine since the kid cleaned the siphon jet. I'll take a look at the rim jets when I remember. As far as that muriatic acid procedure, I wouldn't do it. If vinegar wouldn't work I'd toss the toilet and put in a new one. That's just me. But the water here isn't hard enough for it to be a big concern.

--Vic

[trader4]

I remember you posting on this cure a couple years ago. This was exactly the problem I had with my toilet and I had been through everything. Did the muriatic acid flush out and it was good as new. The funny thing is that you really don't notice the decrease in flow through the holes. Mine appeared to have plenty of water flowing, but obviously it didn't.

Thanks again for that tip. One everyone should keep in mind.

[hallerb]

glad it worked for you, its helped lots of local friends too.

the page describing how to do it makes it appear muriatic acid is some sort of bomb material or similiar. what you buy in the store today is pretty weak solution.

i put some on my hand and it was just a bit warm, no burn occured.

and before someone says it might ruin toilet, remember the toilet snt working anyway, and if your going to replace it you have nothing to lose

[Oren]

me.http://videos.howstuffworks.com/science-channel/31417-deconstructed-h...>>

I've used acid on say, maybe 10 toilets since I read it here (your posts). If you ever have your tank off for bolt repair, that is a perfect time to pour the acid in the bowl (throat).

I have to check one day. I read acid bought at a pool supply stores is diluted more than what is bought at HD and cost more.

The page gives fair warning about use of acid (first timer).

I don't follow these:

# Tape # Clear plastic film or a clear trash Bag # Sandwich bag # Aprons (2) # Rubber boots (2 sets) # Rubber band

And it beats using vinegar for cleaning hard minerals out of the jets.