My toilet takes 3 or 4 flushes just to get toilet paper down?

Question

I tried snaking out the toilet but it didn't help. So, I'm not sure if I need a new toilet or if it's the line. Even the plumber doesn't seem to know. Any ideas?

Answer 1

I have come across this problem more than once. I have seen toilets that when you flush them the water goes around and around and around and around and around and around and eventually just peters out without ever going all the way down. This could be cause by a couple of things and there is a very simple, easy test you can do. Fill a bucket with at least a gallon of water, and pour it into the toilet bowl right down the hole as fast as you can. The toilet should flush perfectly if the line is clear. If it doesn't your drain line has a blockage.

If the line is clear, the problem is the design of the toilet itself. The water is not getting from the tank into the bowl fast enough. Your toilet might be a $99 builders special which is just about worthless. Toss the thing and get a new toilet with the biggest throat you can find, and don't go for the cheapies because their throats are too small which may very well be the problem you are having now.

Your toilet doesn't have the stomach to handle the big jobs.

Answer 2

If the plumber already looked at it, I bet the problem is one of two things.
1. Foreign material in the water jet outlet. (where the water goes directly through the lower part of the toilet and pushes the stuff out)
2. Mineral buildup in the ring. (where the water swirls around from the top)
The first can be spotted with a flashlight and mirror. If you see something, the toilet will have to be removed and turned over. A hose should push the object back out. I once found a pair of bolt caps that had been in there for 25 years!
The second can be checked by using a wire coat hanger. Poke at the holes (again the flashlight and mirror) If crud comes out, you will need to clean all the upper passages using this method. This happens when you have hard water. You might need to replace the toilet, and use one of the blue products on the market to keep the toilet clean and mineral free.

If the bathtub gurgles when you have this backup problem, the drain line is plugged.

Answer 3

The plumber doesn't know??? Then I would get another plumber. You could pull the toilet and pour water down the drain and see if it goes down fast or it backs up. I would think it is your drain line, but that is a guess, just going on the averages.

Answer 4

I had this prob with mine once. turn off water to toilet and flush the toilet. make sure toilet is empty of most of the water. Get a gallon of vinager and dump it in the toilet. Then two boxes of baking soda and dump it in the toilet. Let it sit for about 20 minutes. Your toilet will be good *** new and you can prob flush the whole role now.

Answer 5

You probably need some high octane drain opener.

This stuff is wicked,and isn't your normal Home Depot drain cleaner. only a plumber carries it, and I'm not sure you can buy it.
You turn off the water, take the water out of the bowl, pour it in, let sit 1 hr, then flush.
Best to use goggles and rubber gloves.
it is wicked to handle, but reallly works,

Answer 6

Sounds as if the toilet is not vented properly.Check the holes under the lip of the comode.Make sure these openings are not obstructed with water deposits

Answer 7

I am guessing if you have consulted the plumber, you've tried plunging it? How much tissue paper are you putting in it? Perhaps you want to minimize it. There is something, if you go to home depot to pour into your bathroom to unclog, but before doing that check with a plumber to see if that'll damage the pipes.

Answer 8

I don't know if this will help but if your toilet is an old stile it may have a small hole just before the main hole. I have found that if this small hole gets clogged ( usually lime like stuff) the toilet will do just as you described.
Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Try tipping a whole bucket of water from as high as you can reach and pouring it in one go. It will clear any small blockage.
Otherwise I think your toilet is not emptying properly

Answer 10

If you have a septic tank it may be full. Other than that you may need to call Roto-Rooter. You don't really need to throw toilet paper in the toilet, throw it in the waste basket and empty it daily.