I need ADVISE from a PLUMBER!!??

Question

Please only answer this question if you can offer proper advise.

My toilet became blocked the other day, the water takes for ever to drain and when it does it drains completely so there is no water left in the pan. We have taken the loo off and there is no blockage in the toilet or the u bend we have poured buckets of water down the pipe in the floor and it is not backing up. There is nothing wrong with the sink or bath drainage. If there is no blockage in either of those places can anyone suggest what the problem could be. The only thing I can think is that there is something wrong with the toilet itself. My fella is going to get some drain rods from work on Monday but the only way he can rod it is from inside my bathroom!! as our toilet run joins onto the main run at a wierd angle and we cannot locate the manhole cover anyway? Please if you have any suggestions, we would all really appreciate it. We can't afford to call a plumber out at the minute and I've really got to go!!

Forgot to mention, tried plunger, wire coat hanger, costic soda. Oh, and I have no chain flush, its a button flush.

The toilet is only 2 yrs old. There seems to be a tube pointing up inside the tank for some kind of air release. Could it be something to do with this.

To boy boy, what comes next then?

Answer 1

I agree with the possible VENT problems, but when you say you have plunged it make shore you are using the correct one, i.e the one you need must have a flat four inch rubber base and not the cup type(they are used for baths, W.H.B. and sinks...
The "tube "you refer to sounds like your overflow, that won,t cause this problem...
I am afraid it could be any one of the problems mentioned and not easily fixed without a looksie from a pro.
Best of luck anyway....

Answer 2

Sounds like a blocked vent. That will create the problem you have described. If you have a vent stack going through the roof you need to look down the stack and look for any blockages. Because of all the bends that are in the vent line however, you may not be able to see all the way to the bottom. This is where you need to run a snake. If you have an attic access look for the pipe close to where your bathroom is. Also look under your sink cabinet. If your p trap goes into a t and there is a funny looking contraption at the top of the t, its a studor vent. This means that there is no vent running out of the roof. They are designed to let air in but no sewer gasses out. They fail and lock up frequently, especially the older styles. If you see one of these, remove it. It should be threaded. If not just cut the pipe and get a 45 cent coupling and some glue later. Try working your toilet with the studor pulled off. if it works, get a new studor valve at a plumbing supply store, home depot, lowes, etc. If you need more help ask again. BTW- sticking a hose in your toilet when it has water in it can suck the contaminated water and germs back into your houses supply system. Dont think I would recomend that.

Answer 3

I would think there is a blockage somewhere in the waste pipework. You mention that when you put water down the waste pipe in the floor (after you have removed the pan) then this drains OK...but this water is a slow and steady flow whereas when you flush the toilet you have 2 gals trying to go in one big whoosh.. now if there was a partial blockage then would explain why the water you pour down slow and steady will drain but not the water from the flushing of the tank.

You need to find the manhole cover to the system...these have a habit as getting covered over with soil and stuff but you need to find it and rod the pipe from the manhole back towards the house.
Indeed it man be that the manhole itself is blocked and so you have to find it. Hope it all works out OK.

Answer 4

You have probably got a blockage in the soil pipe that connects to the back of your "throne" (the pedestal).

Fill the pipe with water it will take a lot because you have to top it up all the way to the blockage then use a plunger to force the water down. Make absolutely sure that the water cannot squirt backwards around your plunger. Hopefully it will push the blockage clear.

Expect to have to use considerable force and if you can - shove it down very rapidly so that hydraulic pressure builds up rapidly behind it. This will help the water to push the blockage rather than ooze around it.

If this doesn't work and you cant find a nearby manhole then I'm afraid you'll have to call a drain unblocking specialist such as Dynorod. Your local friendly tooth-sucking plumber may not havethe specialist kit to do the job.

Also, phone your insurance company- they may have this sort of thing covered under your houshold policy. You have nothing to loose by doing this and they may even recommend someone.

Answer 5

If the water drains completely from the toile pan, then it is being syphoned away by another toilet. that is connected into your soil pipe. As for rodding the pipe, Look outside and there may be a rodding point on the soil pipe. It will be a cap that can be unscrewed. That is all I can suggest without seeing the problem for myself.

Answer 6

its sounds like you have a vacuum some where ..this would all so explain how all the water is gone ...i know it sounds daft but if you put back the toilet base ..put in some water up to its normal level..then insert a piece of hose down the toilet ..around the bend ...so it comes out inside the pipe at lower level..this would break any vacuum..then pour water into loo and see what happens it should just run away ..P Sit may be easier to put hose through loo while it is still removed..if it does run away ..check soil pipe is not blocked.. ..i am assuming this is an old loo and it worked fine up till now ..if it does go down come back to me and i will tell you the next step

Answer 7

The vent pipe leading to the roof may be plugged with a bird nest or snow & ice, try checking to see if it's plugged you'll have to go up to the roof and shine a flashlight down inside to see if it's plugged. Without proper air ventilation a toilet will not flush properly.

Answer 8

Could be a blockage in the s-curve of the toilet. Also could be blockage of the drain stack which vents at the top of your roof. May also be a backup from your septic system, unless you are on a municipal sewage system. Run a snake down the the toilet. you may be surprised what you find. This is the most common cause.

Answer 9

sounds like a blockage in the "TERLET" as we say in Noo Yawk, are you sure there are no "TOYS" in the u bend ? my little guy threw the deflector cup from the training potty down the toilet, I work for the water dept, so I got a hold of a plumber friend, he said don't worry, i can prolly get it out", four hours later I got handed a bill for $400 and a toilet that was installed, that could flush a "Volkswagon". I would just replace the toilet with a stock one. Toilets are not very expensive, unless you call a friend.

Answer 10

I had same problem! Have you tried a plunger? flush the toilet and while the water is at a high level use the plunger. the build up of water will help force any blockage they may be further up the system.