Toilet Does Not Always Flush...Why?

[lfoster]

Are you on city plumbing or septic system? Some on septic systems are sluggish when septic system is not in good shape.

[Homey]

I am in Coastal, South Carolina on city water and sewer.

Thanks for all the replies. Keep them coming!

Homey

[Doug Edwards]

Another problem we find often is the vent on the roof is partially blocked. If the vent collars are made of lead, the installers will fold the lead back down inside the vent. Sometimes they get a little lazy and do not do a good J-O-B and merely fold the top over cutting off the air and preventing proper venting. Finding this has solved the stubborn flush many times. And if that isn't it, eat more ruffage.

[Kenneth Blair]

This was around and below cast iron drains. What caused it?

[Homey]

I have 3 identical toilets and only one is requiring multiple flushes.

Thanks,

Homey

[jbreazeale]

Dude, there is an obstruction. You may have to remove the toilet to get to it. More often than not, you will find the obstruction above the water line, in the first crook of the flush tube. A piece of plastic, tampon tubes (is this the right terminology?), even a toothpick, can get stuck sideways here, and a common toilet snake will go right past it every time. Once, I even found the lid of a cold cream jar which was acting like an intermittent valve. Sometimes the tiolet would flush, sometimes not. You might try the old coathanger with a crook in it trick, to see if you can grab whatever is in there. If you're not handy with coathanger technology, call a plumber.