Household Hints & Help

CTyankee

(68,314 posts) Fri Jul 25, 2025, 04:48 PM Jul 2025

Toilet malfunction in our half bath downstairs, sometimes... [View all]

Sometimes everything goes down, some times it doesn't...we are puzzled. We have a plumber and he is puzzled. Our upstairs toilet, in our full bath, nothing fancy, works every time, no problem.

Replacing the toilet is just too expensive right now. Our plumber warranteed his work for a full year so for a whole year he could come to our house every week and we wouldn't be charged any extra. But it's a PITA having to call him and have him check it out. Plus it is disconcerting not to be sure that flush is gonna do the job!

Add to this the fact that we are both in our 80s and trudging up and down stairs just to go use the toilet is wearing us down.

Any suggestions are welcome!

31 replies

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Toilet malfunction in our half bath downstairs, sometimes... [View all] CTyankee Jul 2025 OP

If it is a tank with a flapper valve, and the tank fills properly and releases properly I would check the c-rational Jul 2025 #1

what I have noticed is a weak circulation in the flush where even just a small bit of toilet paper circles and then just CTyankee Jul 2025 #2

Could be tank isn't filling with sufficient water to flush SheltieLover Jul 2025 #3

Sounds like a fluahometer. If it has a handle you push or pull to flush that iss a flushometer. No c-rational Jul 2025 #4

How old is the house? Did he snake the toilet? bucolic_frolic Jul 2025 #5

Our house was built in 1941, one of the last houses built just before WW2 so it is pre-war construction. CTyankee Jul 2025 #7

He would know enough to do that if he thinks that is the problem. bucolic_frolic Jul 2025 #11

How long have you had the toilet? How long has it been doing this. Toilets can build up mineral deposits within the KPN Jul 2025 #6

That's kind of you, but we can work it out. The reason I am working the plumber so hard is that he gave us a warranty on CTyankee Jul 2025 #8

I'm guessing its just that your rim outlets and/or the jet at the bottom of the toilet bowl are clogged. KPN Jul 2025 #9

Thank you! CTyankee Jul 2025 #10

Thanks, that's a solution I never knew about. bucolic_frolic Jul 2025 #12

Is this something that just started or an ongoing problem? jmowreader Jul 2025 #13

No. We bought the house over 25 years ago and the toilet then is the toilet now. No problems. CTyankee Jul 2025 #15

Root killer comes to mind as a solution jmowreader Jul 2025 #18

Duly noted for sharing with the plumber coming tomorrow. CTyankee Jul 2025 #19

Are there any trees between your house and the street? anciano Jul 2025 #14

Yes, but I'll check out the other remedy before we go that far. I do appreciate your reminding me, tho. Thank you! CTyankee Jul 2025 #16

They can put a camera bamagal62 Jul 2025 #17

Doubt if he'll do that. For now, we will concentrate of what I have learned from this thread. My thanks to all! CTyankee Jul 2025 #20

Use a bucket with hot water and some dawn IbogaProject Jul 2025 #21

He just left and said he had adjusted the water level. Let's hope that works. But your idea sounds feasible. CTyankee Jul 2025 #22

Glad to hear IbogaProject Jul 2025 #23

. FredoB 15 hrs ago #24

Hey, I'm no longer in that house...moved to a retirement village w/ no problems with the plumbing here! CTyankee 15 hrs ago #25

It would have been easier to replace the toilet Bluestocking 15 hrs ago #28

You do what you gotta do! CTyankee 15 hrs ago #29

Put some chunks or grains of lye in the toilet bowl. About a tablespoon. mahatmakanejeeves 15 hrs ago #26

Well, it's the worry of the new owners of our house, I guess. CTyankee 15 hrs ago #27

We never put paper down the toilet. Zackzzzz 14 hrs ago #30

What about the smell? Bluestocking 13 hrs ago #31