The toilet does not flush well, what could I do to improve the flushing capacity?

Question

I am having issues with the toilet in the upstairs bathroom. I tried Draino to clear the pipes but it didn't really resolve it. The water does not empty out completely and some of the floaties & toilet paper remains. I have to flush a few times to get everything all cleared out. Anyone have any quick fixes?

Answer 1

Have you tried snaking it? Sometimes people put tampon tubes in the toilet and they get stuck(sorry), toys too. For future reference never put drain cleaner in a toilet in can explode or crack the bowl. If you have hard water the little hole in the very bottom may be plugged you can take a small wire and unclog it.

Answer 2

First, use a plumbers helper with great, great vigor several times. Get the water out of the bowl, refill and repeat three or four times. Then yes, double check the water level in the tank. There will probably be a mark on the inside back of the tank to tell you where the level should be. If there is no mark, the water should get up to within about an inch of the overflow pipe. Get it reasonably close to that level. Third, watch the flapper valve as you push the handle down. The valve should open wide and stay that way until the water level gets within an inch or so of the drain that is uncovered by the flapper. If it doesn't, you probably need a new flapper valve. (I refer to it as a "flapper" because these days they generally look for all the world like a flapper). If yours is old-fashioned it may look like a large rubber kid's top. A flapper is piece of rubber that bends or is hinged that "flaps" up when you push the lever and then back down when the water level decreases. You hardware store will have them and they can show you how they are installed. Those are the main, usual suspects. If those things aren't the problem you look for something more esoteric such as crud in the passageways under the flapper restricting water flow. Get a container of CLR (stands for Calcium, Lime, Rust) and pour a few ounces into the tank, let it sit for ten minutes, flush and reapeat till the 28 ounce container is gone. If THAT doesn't make things right, you may be in for more drastic measures such as taking the blasted thing out and inspecting, fixing or replacement.

Answer 3

Have you tried raising the water level in your flush tank?

Answer 4

Replace the Johnson valve, but make sure you get kwayludes for the pipe before you re-assemble it.

Answer 5

Don't wait three days before you poop.