Author Topic: Plumbing question (Read 192 times)

nirvana · « **on:** March 30, 2006, 02:18:41 AM »

You'll have to excuse my ignorance in this area. Anyway, this toilet has been a problem since a few months back when my step dad redid the flooring and screwed around with the toilet. The gasket (if there is one) between the floor and toilet wasn't properly installed, so water leaks from the bottom when there is a stoppage. Onto my question. The top bowl won't refill unless I manually turn on the water. This is a problem and the bowl won't empty. I'm thinking I need a plunger but can't find one in the house. There is probably one in my parents house but they are sleeping at 1 in the morning.

Is there any reason why the top bowl isn't filling and the lower isn't draining?

EDIT Am I supposed to leave the plug to let water into the top bowl open? If I shut it off no water gets in there on it's own. I now have the top tank full and I found a plunger so I got the water to leave...kinda. Now it's a matter of getting the bowl to drain and the top to fill.

Goomba · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2006, 09:48:09 AM »

Coupla things...

If you have a leak around the lower bowl and the floor, you need to replace that wax ring seal. Never re-use one. When properly installed, you'll have no leak.

Did the floor height rise when your stepdad redid the floor? If so, you'll need to make sure that the throat of the gasket is long enough to accommodate the floor depth. Extensions can be purchased, are are simple to install. Also, make sure that none of the new flooring is obstructing the drain.

If the tank won't refill on it's own, and the water supply is on, then the tank valve is screwed up. Either it's completely out of adjustment, or just plain damaged in the construction. The fill is controlled by a valve located at the top of the tower, where the float and float arm connect. Check that the float moves freely, and is still adjusted correctly.

Frankly, if you're not sure, I'd pull the thing out, reinstall a fresh wax ring and a new replacement tank valve. Replace the supply lines too, if you have those rigid copper ones. Use the flex-braided ones. You're more likely to get a working system the first time, if you're careful.

Good Luck!

Goomba · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2006, 09:49:55 AM »

PS...If you lift the flapper in the full tank, and you still don't get a full flush...you need to check the pathway in the fixture itself for blockage.

RTR · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2006, 10:59:56 AM »

New gasket: $1.50

New tank valve: $6.50

or,

New toilet: $100.00

First to pinch a loaf off into the new toilet: Priceless!

RTR

nirvana · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2006, 01:29:32 PM »

I got it, someone had turned off the valve

And there was a minor blockage that i got cleared after i finally found a plunger.

capt. apathy · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2006, 02:08:26 PM »

if it leaked around the seal when clogged, it still has a leak.

just because it's no longer actively leaking doesn't mean your problem is over.

if not fixed, cleaned and dried out it will rot your floor and leak again next time you have a clog. it may even still be leaking at every flush, just not enough to see.

you should remove the toilet, replace the wax seal, and check the gasket seat and floor hight as Goomba mentioned.

you don't want to ignore it because those kind of leaks only leak when clogged or flushing. think about what's in the water during those times and how much would have to leak out before you'd be able to see it.

in no time you'd have a rotten floor and a bathroom with perma-stink.