Here are a few more commonly experienced Essington toilet problems and some simple fixes you can try before calling in a professional. If you find that these don’t work, give Feehan Plumbing & Heating a call at us on the number above. to schedule a service appointment as soon as you can.
An insufficient quantity of water entering the bowl
For the siphoning action to get started in a bowl, as much water as possible must enter the bowl as fast as possible. Check to see whether the water level in the tank is as high as it should be. There is usually a mark on the back wall of a tank to indicate where the water level should be maintained. If your toilet is not flushing as strongly as it should, you want the water level to be as high as possible without it reaching the top of the overflow pipe. To raise the water level, bend the float ball arm “up” or adjust the clip on the refill valve cup.
An obstruction inside the toilet bowl
Use a plunger to try to dislodge anything that may be clogging the passageway of the bowl. Be persistent; it can take quite a few pushes and pulls to be effective. Apply the force on both the down and up strokes by pushing the plunger forcefully down and then quickly pulling it back. If this doesn’t work, try a toilet auger. If there is something such as a toothbrush or comb lodged in the bowl passageway, and you can’t dislodge it in this manner, the toilet will have to be lifted from the floor. You may be able to reach the culprit from the bottom of the bowl; if not, the bowl will have to be replaced.
Obstruction in the drain under the toilet
When you have the toilet lifted to examine the underside, always make a visual check in the drain line under the toilet for toothbrushes, etc. that may have made it past the bowl but lodged in the drain. The drain under a toilet is usually three to four inches in diameter and requires a large, electrically powered snake. The typical household snake sold by hardware stores and home centers won’t do the job.