Put bar of soap in back toilet tank thinking would clean bowl - now back tank drains very slowly. How 2 clear

Question

I've snaked the drain, put drano down the back drain opening. The toilet will flush, but not properly and will run forever unless you manually push down flapper valve. Suggestions? (beyond calling a plumber - my final choice) PS - didn't clean bowl either.

Answer 1

You have a problem. You need a plumber. A big bar of waxy soap dissolves, but not entirely, it dissolves very slowly leaving a gooey mess that seeps into the small holes located along the inner rim of the toilet bowl. Water flows from the reservoir tank down into the rim, out the holes, floods the bowl, the toilet flushes. Soap has created a thick build up and clogged the holes. Snaking won't fix this.
Before you press the panic button. Fill the reservoir tank with very hot tap water and flush, keep filling with very very hot tap water and flushing, might take 20 or more fillings, but the hot hot tap water will melt away most of the gunky stuff and should help dissolve the soap scum clogging the lines in the toilet. Do this hot water rinse/flushing thing until it clears up
NEVER put drain cleaner down or in a toilet! It contains chemicals which can burn you!
NEVER use anything but a bleach tablet in the toilet reservoir tank, it will keep the tank clean and water clean
IF flushing out with very hot water does not help, call the plumber.

Answer 2

if I understand the question, you put a bar of soap in the tank and that screwed it up

I dont know if you removed the bar of soap or not

Im guessing that the bar of soap went down the flapper and is partially dissolved inside the bowl. This will disrupt proper flushing until the soap completely dissolves.

You can remove the tank from the bowl and if necessary remove the bowl from the floor and attempt to clean the orifices where the water comes out on the rim of the bowl.

As for the Flapper not sealing completely. Buy a new replacement flapper at your local home improvement store.

Answer 3

This is one of the best websites I have seen that describes toilets, problems, fixes, replacement, etc. http://www.toiletology.com/index.shtml If you choose to work on this some more yourself then I suggest that you go through the lessons at this site to become familiar with the parts and operation of your toilet.

You're probably going to have to take the toilet tank and bowl apart and unbolt the bowl from the floor and scrape and scrub the soap residue out of the passageways from the tank to the bowl and bowl to the drain. You may be able to clean the soap residue off of the fill valve and flush valve assemblies, but you may be better off to just buy a new flush kit that includes the fill valve assembly and flush valve assembly with flapper ball, seat and overflow pipe. Don't forget to replace the wax ring when you reinstall the bowl to the floor and use new bolts and washers to attach the tank to the bowl.

If you decide to hire a plumber then you should probably plan on just replacing the toilet rather than paying the labot to have them clean it out. Get them to quote both to decide which is the best deal.

When you do get it all cleaned out don't use the in the tank drop-in or hang on the side cleaners either. These will degrade the fill and flush valve components.

Answer 4

I'm not a plumber but try this... it may work. ( I hope ). Turn water off to the tank, Flush again to drain tank. Get very fine steel wool that has NO soap in it. Very lightly go around the flapper and the rubber piece below where the flapper touches. Wipe off with damp towel. Do not leave any steel wool in the tank after you do this because it oxidizes fast. Rest the flapper down in the proper position. Cover tank with tank lid. Turn water valve back on. Let fill with water. Go ahead and flush. It should return back to normal. If not give it a few regular flushes. As for the soap thats gone down the bowel, forget it, its gone, and please no more soap in the tank. The tank dont need it since its fresh water all the time. As for the bowel to keep it clean, I do what my mother has done for years, she used about one quarter cup of bleach in the bowel let stand for about one hour then flush. She did this every month or two and we had a clean bowel ever since.

Answer 5

Window Box ......Yes, it could harm your fish ! The Bowl or Tank should be in a light place, but out of direct sunlight. You want to avoid placing a bowl or tank in an area of a room that receives too much direct sunlight, as this can encourage unsightly algae growth. Therefore, placing the fish tank where it can receive indirect light is best. You haven't mentioned what part of the country you live in. In warm climates a Betta can do pretty well in a bowl, provided you change the water regularly, keep the bowl clean, and provide a proper diet. If you live in a northern climate, wintertime can present an obstacle. Cold temperatures won't necessarily kill the fish outright. However, being subjected to long periods of cooler than optimum water temperature will stress the fish, rendering it far more susceptible to disease. Placing the bowl in a warmer location in the house will help, but the best option would be in a heated aquarium. Avoid letting the water remain cool (below 75) for long period of time.

Answer 6

What a nitwit. The soap is now stuck in the outlet at the bottom of the tank. Move the flapper and get it out. Run hot water in the tank until the soap melts.

Answer 7

you are going to need a plumber because this could take a long time to dissolve and meanwhile other stuff is being blocked and building up to compound the original problem. you may need a new toilet. why would you think a bar of soap would clean the crap that is in every ones tanks?

Answer 8

remove the access lid of the cistern, you know the one, that one you lifted to put the bar of soap there in the first place. using your hand dig out the soggy remains of the bar of soap. and keep flushing until clear.... replace the lid and don't do it again.....

Answer 9

I agree with Jim B.