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Login to post Forums » Off-topic discussion » $hi++er's Full

Aug. 24, 2011 8:08 a.m. Gimp Dork

Having a bit of a plumbing issue (existed pre-earthquake).

My basement toilet (below grade) started having flushing issues a week or so ago. It will either fill to the brim like it's going to overflow, and then just as it gets to the top, barely flush (not really a flush at all, more like just sinks back down quickly), or it will do what you see in this video (don't worry, clean toilet):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_WUinT21w

The water level starts low, and then when you flush toilet fills almost to the top, then flushes and spits back once the water level drops to it's lowest point.

Any ideas on this one? I'm thinking it may need to be snaked, and I'd do it myself if it weren't below grade (will I damage the ejector pump, etc, if I snake it)?

Thanks!
Aug. 24, 2011 8:15 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

Control how far you extend the snake and you'll be fine. The plugging is likely in the neck of the toilet, or at the floor mounting joint. I've also had good results with a conventional plunger and a few seconds of enthusiastic vacuum pumping.
Aug. 24, 2011 9:26 a.m. slantvaliant Dork

Gimp wrote:

Having a bit of a plumbing issue (existed pre-earthquake).

So, you caused the earthquake?
Aug. 24, 2011 9:35 a.m. CGLockRacer Reader

::thread hijack:: we need a GRM bumpersticker "E36 M3er's Full!!!" ::End thread hijack
Aug. 24, 2011 9:36 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

slantvaliant wrote:

Gimp wrote:

Having a bit of a plumbing issue (existed pre-earthquake).

So, you caused the earthquake?

Must have been a good dump
Aug. 24, 2011 9:45 a.m. Gimp Dork

CGLockRacer wrote:

::thread hijack:: we need a GRM bumpersticker "E36 M3er's Full!!!" ::End thread hijack

this has to happen
Aug. 24, 2011 9:51 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

Causes of the same in my toilets:

Popsicle stick lodged in the bendy part of the toilet. (damn kids!) Must remove toilet and flip over to see it.

Tree Roots in the drain line. (especially below grade) Need to use a cutting snake then maintain with root destroyer.

Toilet drain hole was too small. Seriously, some of the really cheap made in china toilets have a hole at the base that is way too small. If it isn't 4" or more, upgrade commodes. I recommend the
Aug. 24, 2011 9:52 a.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

Causes of the same in my toilets:

Popsicle stick lodged in the bendy part of the toilet. (damn kids!) Must remove toilet and flip over to see it.

Tree Roots in the drain line. (especially below grade) Need to use a cutting snake then maintain with root destroyer.

Toilet drain hole was too small. Seriously, some of the really cheap made in china toilets have a hole at the base that is way too small. If it isn't 4" or more, upgrade commodes. I recommend The Ferguson...bawhoosh!
Aug. 24, 2011 10:04 a.m. 1988RedT2 Dork

pinchvalve wrote:

I recommend The Ferguson...bawhoosh!

Wasn't that Al Bundy's favorite commode?
Aug. 24, 2011 10:04 a.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I had the tree root problem.. that was nasty when the downstairs toilet decided to puke after a significant upstairs use
Aug. 24, 2011 10:17 a.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

Gimp wrote:

CGLockRacer wrote:

::thread hijack:: we need a GRM bumpersticker "E36 M3er's Full!!!" ::End thread hijack

this has to happen

I'll take two...
Aug. 24, 2011 10:46 a.m. RossD SuperDork

Pull the toilet and see whats going on in there. If there is vent line that is easy to check you might want to check that too. It probably won't be easy to check even if it's visible, but it's worth mentioning.
Aug. 24, 2011 10:53 a.m. pilotbraden HalfDork

1988RedT2 wrote:

pinchvalve wrote:

I recommend The Ferguson...bawhoosh!

Wasn't that Al Bundy's favorite commode?

Is that the one that will flush a dozen golfballs?
Aug. 24, 2011 11:05 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

A dozen golfballs. Puleze! That's for little kids.

We had 150 psi comodes. If it didn't go down, it would bounce out and blow you through the door.

Seriously, you could flush chain tiedowns through that system. Though the comminutors didn't like it (and neither did the Hull Techs).
Aug. 24, 2011 11:29 a.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

1988RedT2 wrote:

pinchvalve wrote:

I recommend The Ferguson...bawhoosh!

Wasn't that Al Bundy's favorite commode?

Damn right it was!
Aug. 24, 2011 11:31 a.m. Gimp Dork

mad_machine wrote:

I had the tree root problem.. that was nasty when the downstairs toilet decided to puke after a significant upstairs use

Luckily I live in a crappy townhouse community and trees were eliminated a long, long time ago.

I'm going to try to plunge, then snake, then pull the toilet.

We are down to two (if you count this one) right now. The one on the first floor powder room has a crack in the flange and leaks, so it's shut off. I will fix it when we redo the floor in there, but that may be a while. LOL
Aug. 24, 2011 12:50 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

Gearheadotaku wrote:

Gimp wrote:

CGLockRacer wrote:

::thread hijack:: we need a GRM bumpersticker "E36 M3er's Full!!!" ::End thread hijack

this has to happen

I'll take two...

Ditto. Would defintely be a "for GRM forum users only" since anyone else looking at it would go:
Aug. 24, 2011 12:51 p.m. confuZion3 SuperDork

foxtrapper wrote:

Control how far you extend the snake and you'll be fine.

That's what she said.
Aug. 25, 2011 6:55 a.m. T.J. SuperDork

Gimp wrote:

CGLockRacer wrote:

::thread hijack:: we need a GRM bumpersticker "E36 M3er's Full!!!" ::End thread hijack

this has to happen

With that bumper sticker, could I drive my BMW in the HOV lane?
Aug. 25, 2011 10:15 a.m. SkinnyG HalfDork

pinchvalve wrote: Toilet drain hole was too small..... If it isn't 4" or more.....

A 4" toilet drain? Good god man, chew your food a bit more. That's gotta hurt.

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