I've been flushing my toilet with a bucket of water because the reservoir is cracked. The funny thing is that it won't
flush unless I fill it at least 3/4's full with water...that is, most of the time. Occasionally it will flush with a
smaller amount of water, but usually it takes allot before the flush movement begins. BTW, what is the normal level of
water required to initiate a flush? This is not a low flow toilet, but it's a normal non-elongated type.

Does this sound like an obstacle in the trap, or...well, what else could it be? I've used one of those specialized
toilet augers, the one with a 3 ft metal tube with a bend at the end (the auger cable goes through the tube) but that
didn't produce anything or help the problem.

Any suggestions?

jc

"jbclem" wrote in message
...
I've been flushing my toilet with a bucket of water because the reservoir
is cracked. The funny thing is that it won't
flush unless I fill it at least 3/4's full with water...that is, most of
the time. Occasionally it will flush with a
smaller amount of water, but usually it takes allot before the flush
movement begins. BTW, what is the normal level of
water required to initiate a flush? This is not a low flow toilet, but
it's a normal non-elongated type.

Does this sound like an obstacle in the trap, or...well, what else could
it be? I've used one of those specialized
toilet augers, the one with a 3 ft metal tube with a bend at the end (the
auger cable goes through the tube) but that
didn't produce anything or help the problem.

Any suggestions?

jc



Buy a new toilet? You can buy one for $59 and up.

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:47:18 -0700, jbclem wrote:

I've been flushing my toilet with a bucket of water because the reservoir is cracked. The funny thing is that it won't
flush unless I fill it at least 3/4's full with water...that is, most of the time. Occasionally it will flush with a
smaller amount of water, but usually it takes allot before the flush movement begins. BTW, what is the normal level of
water required to initiate a flush? This is not a low flow toilet, but it's a normal non-elongated type.

Does this sound like an obstacle in the trap, or...well, what else could it be? I've used one of those specialized
toilet augers, the one with a 3 ft metal tube with a bend at the end (the auger cable goes through the tube) but that
didn't produce anything or help the problem.

Any suggestions?

jc



I would buy a new toilet. In the past, we've been very happy with
American Standard. Get a good one and, as you sit, be happy.

jbclem wrote:
I've been flushing my toilet with a bucket of water because the
reservoir is cracked. The funny thing is that it won't flush unless
I fill it at least 3/4's full with water...that is, most of the time.
Occasionally it will flush with a smaller amount of water, but
usually it takes allot before the flush movement begins. BTW, what
is the normal level of water required to initiate a flush? This is
not a low flow toilet, but it's a normal non-elongated type.

Does this sound like an obstacle in the trap, or...well, what else
could it be? I've used one of those specialized toilet augers, the
one with a 3 ft metal tube with a bend at the end (the auger cable
goes through the tube) but that didn't produce anything or help the
problem.

Look at a cross-section of a toilet. The water level has to rise
sufficiently - and in sufficient volume - for siphoning action to occur.
http://www.joneakes.com/cgi-bin/getd...ls.cgi?id=1167

On Sep 19, 5:47 am, "jbclem" wrote:
I've been flushing my toilet with a bucket of water because the reservoir is cracked. The funny thing is that it won't
flush unless I fill it at least 3/4's full with water...that is, most of the time. Occasionally it will flush with a
smaller amount of water, but usually it takes allot before the flush movement begins. BTW, what is the normal level of
water required to initiate a flush? This is not a low flow toilet, but it's a normal non-elongated type.

Does this sound like an obstacle in the trap, or...well, what else could it be? I've used one of those specialized
toilet augers, the one with a 3 ft metal tube with a bend at the end (the auger cable goes through the tube) but that
didn't produce anything or help the problem.

Any suggestions?

jc

You should fill the tank at least half full so you can have some
pressure, otherwise it will nt work as per desgn

On Sep 19, 4:47 am, "jbclem" wrote:

snip

Any suggestions?

jc

Your toilet is a substandard low cost unit with an unglazed undersized
outlet and trap. Bite the bullet and get something better engineered,
and at least check Consumer Reports and this NG archives for decent
brands and models. Not all models in all brands are without faults,
with the possible exception of Toto. HTH

Joe