Is this a simple plumbing problem that I can fix? One of my toilets

[likesmountains 52]

is not filling the bowl with water after I flush, only fills up about half way. Then when I flush it fills up with water from the tank to the rim of the bowl and instead of going down the drain with a whoosh it just dwindles down over 5 minutes or so. I guess I'm asking if this is a problem with the toilet itself..or do I need Roto_Rooter? Thanks

[yy4me]

1. You probably have a clog of some sort in the lines. This same

thing happened to us years ago and my husband went to the hardware store and bought a strange looking device that looks like a long handled vacuum stick with a crank on the end. The business end is a long flexible rod with a small, single eggbeater type end. It was shoved down the hopper as far as it would go and then the fun starts. You crank the handle causing the long snake type end to rotate and break up whatever was in the way. When removed, you might find some interesting debris. Our end came out tangled with dental floss. Yes, I now know that floss does not get dropped in the bowl. It has been used a couple of other times, never know what will drop in the bowl besides what is intended.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. That's called a closet auger

It works like this



It looks like this

[yy4me]

3. That's the gizmo! You have got to admit, my description was

not too far off.

[likesmountains 52]

5. Thanks H2S, now I know what to ask for and what's happening while

I maneuver it down the hole! Off to the hardware store now.

[mopinko]

7. be patient.

i had a pricey toilet that clogged all the time. i spent a lot of time on the business end of one of those things, and i eventually beat the toilet to death. i have never been so happy to break something!
if you use more muscle than patience, you can take a bite out of the porcelain. i presume you like your toilet. so, go slow.

[Warpy]

6. It also works reasonably well on other drains

like the kitchen sink.

My dad used to get up on the roof and run it down the vent pipe once in a blue moon to clear clogs farther down the stack.

Just realize the business end is not going to be pretty when you retrieve it.

[likesmountains 52]

4. Thanks, I knew exactly what you were describing!

[likesmountains 52]

8. Update...I bought an auger for about $12..gently rotated the handle..

pulled it back out and didn't see anything on the end...but now the toilet flushes just fine. Thanks for the advice. You guys saved me a $60 Roto-Rooter visit!

[NMDemDist2]

9. DIY rawks

just saying....

:hi:

[likesmountains 52]

10. It does! I'm looking forward to seeing the walls in your home after the work is done.

[NMDemDist2]

11. They're done WOOHOO

I need to get a day off and take pics

we bought two new pieces of art, did you see that thread?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x8364848

we should have them and the new drapes next week, so I'm holding off on the pics til then I think

[likesmountains 52]

12. Oh wow! Can't wait to see the finished room...I hate picking out window coverings and am

always looking for ideas.

[NMDemDist2]

13. we'll see if these work

I wanted a splash of color but stripes, we'll see.....

I ordered the rug today too