Toilet won't flush completely

[gkuhrt]

30 yr old Crane standard flapper type will not flush completely. Been getting more frequent over the last year, now it just never flushes everything down the first time. Takes at least 2, usually 3, sometimes 4 flushes to clear the bowl. Water never gets to the bottom of the bowl during flush. Checked it for obstruction but it is clear.

[Gary Swart]

OK, something has changed to cause this problem. A toilet is really a fairly simple device. Water from the storage tank is released into it and pushes the water in the bowl through the trap and into the drain. If it worked before, something has gotten in the way of the process. I think you have an obstruction in the trap area. Take the toilet up so you can reach inside. I'm sure you'll find something like a pencil or a comb lodged crossways in the trap this is catching paper and partly clogging the drainage.

[plumber1]

Use a toilet auger. If that doesn't help, there is probably a lime build-up in a jet. This works well. Sponge most of the water from the bowl and pour the gal. of acid down the overflow in the tank..Be cautious. Ventilate the room because fumes can tarnish chrome. Lay a newspaper over the bowl and let it stand for a few moments. Now flush toilet. Some people have a lot calcium in their urine. You should always flush the toilet after using. Especiall at night.

[jadnashua]

This is probably not the cause, but something to check if it applies...

If you have replaced the flapper valve recently (or when this started to happen), that could be the cause. Some of the new flapper valves are designed to only let the newly mandated 1.6 gallons go during a flush. If you inadvertently used one of these on an old toilet designed for 5-6 gallons, you'll get poor performance. Try holding the flush lever down until the tank is essentially empty to see if that helps. It is probably a clog or restriction somewhere, but this one is easy to rule out and fix, if it applies.