Flushes evry other time ??

**nards01** · 09-08-2010, 08:25 PM

I have a toilet that flushes "about" every other time. The next time the water swirls and rises and then returns to a normal level. A minute later it flushes. What would cause this phenomenon?? If it was clogged it would never flush correct??

**Redwood** · 09-08-2010, 08:53 PM

Did you recently change the flapper and put a 1.6 gallon per flush flapper on a 3.5 gallon per flush toilet?

**worsnup** · 09-08-2010, 09:07 PM

the refill tube? the refill tube refills the bowl to a proper level after each flush. if it is not working--- you flush the toilet and it flushes but leaves bowl level is low-- so when you flush again, half your water is used to fill the bowl
resulting in a miss fire... flush once more and it flushes fine.... back and forth back and forth------- refill tube

**nards01** · 09-09-2010, 03:08 PM

The refill tube on this toilet (it's about 45 yrs. old) is molded into the ceramic tank. There's nothing wrong with it. I flushed it numerous times today after putting the little black hose directly into the refill tube thus eliminating that clip which is a nuisance. It flushed fine 5 or 6 times and then "bingo" it swirled up and didn't flush.

**Jerome2877** · 09-09-2010, 03:48 PM

Could be a partial blockage in the sewer main, maybe roots. Is the toilet on the lowest part of the house?

**nards01** · 09-09-2010, 03:58 PM

No, it's on the second floor!!

**jadnashua** · 09-09-2010, 08:03 PM

Two things, put the clip back on the hose! If it is pushed down the overflow tube, you can end up siphoning the tank dry. Second, it sounds like you DO have a partial blockage. It just took those 5-6 flushes to fill up the drain line from where it is clogged.

**nards01** · 09-18-2010, 01:11 PM

I think you're right about a blockage. I have a snake that runs off an electric drill. Can I put that right into toilet and run it thru or do I have to take the toilet off its base??

**Redwood** · 09-18-2010, 02:03 PM

Try using a bucket to rapidly pour water into the toilet and see if it flushes.

I would not put your drill snake trough a toilet unless you want the bowl to become horribly scratched.

**Gary Swart** · 09-18-2010, 02:07 PM

That snake is a joke! Totally too small to clear a clog. You need a professional plumber with professional equipment to auger the drain clear to the sewer mainline. Don't try chemical cleaners either, the do not work and they will create a potential hazard for the plumber you will eventually have to call. And no, a professional sized snake that you might rent is a dangerous weapon in the hands of a novice. This is not a DIY job.

**Terry** · 09-18-2010, 04:26 PM

We use a closet auger with the large 1-3/8" end on it.
Smaller cables can go right by the obstruction and not move it.

**nards01** · 09-18-2010, 07:07 PM

Terry,

Can I use this closet auger directly thru the toilet??

**Terry** · 09-18-2010, 07:12 PM

Yes, you will notice on the bend it's covered in a protective covering. That prevents the bowl from scratching.
The large end helps push things out, if the end is too small, it's kind of useless.

**Redwood** · 09-18-2010, 08:35 PM

The closet auger is designed specifically for unclogging a toilet.

However, you haven't even figured out if the toilet is clogged or, just not working right...

What does it do when you try the bucket flush test?

**Gary Swart** · 09-18-2010, 09:31 PM

You say it takes 2 flushes of a 45 year old toilet. This is probably 5 to 7 gallons of water per flush which indicates to me the clog is beyond the toilet and what the auger can reach. Certainly try the bucket flush test, and you could even do the toilet auger, but my money is still on a clog in the line.