Toilet Repair FAQs:

Questions & answers about how to diagnose and fix a toilet: how to fix a clogged toilet, slow flushing toilet, or a noisy or leaky toilet? How do toilet valves & controls work? How do I fix a toilet that is loose or wobbly. These replies to reader questions help diagnose and fix most toilet troubles.

This article series discusses the cause, diagnosis, and repair of toilet problems (water closet problems) such as a toilet that does not flush well, clogged toilets, slow-filling toilets, running toilets, loose wobbly toilets, and odors at leaky toilets. Here we explain how to diagnose and repair problems with toilets, leaks, flushes, odors, noises, running and wasted water.

Toilet Fill, Flush, Drain, Odor, Noise, Problem FAQs

Questions & answers about how to repair toilet problems, posted originally at TOILET REPAIR GUIDE - home - be sure to review the toilet trouble diagnosis and repair advice given there.

On 2017-05-14 by (mod) - was the toilet clog repair sufficient?

K

I can't know from your text if the toilet de-clog you performed was sufficient or not; if there was a blockage in the waste line between toilet and septic tank and if you cleared that you may be OK for a time - depending on what caused the blockage.

An inspection at the septic tank access ports (if available) would give more information: an abnormally high level in the septic tank (over the baffles) would tell us that there's a drainfield piping or blockage problem still to be identified. Else you'll wait to see how soon the problem returns: if soon then certainly further investigation is needed.

Debbie:

From what you describe the blockage has not been repaired.

On 2017-05-14 by K

We had a toilet clog that resulted in the base of the toilet overflowing. We cleaned it up and plunged it and all seems well - but I am on a septic and am worried. If my toilet is flushing fine does that mean it's all good? Or is there some way I can be sure there isnt a clog that will cause issues down the line?

On 2017-05-14 by Debbie

Hi our toilet was clearly blocked. Now the water is going away but it is still rising very high first - it does go away instantly though. Does this mean the blockage has moved further along the pipe. What should we do please?

On 2017-05-03 by (mod)

Adam:

If the water level in the toilet tank is low that can give a bad flush, or else your toilet drain is probably clogged.

On 2017-05-03 by Adam

Upstairs toilet takes multiple flushes but downstairs works fine... any ideas

On 2017-04-16 by (mod)

Right, Anon. The supply valve, unless it's clogged, won't fix a slow-filling toilet tank. I suggested replacing the fill valve - that's the valve that is INSIDE the toilet tank and that controls water entry when the toilet is flushed.

On 2017-04-16 by Anonymous

I replaced the valve at the wall and it didn't change anything.

On 2017-04-16 by (mod)

Terry,

Please see my advice to Dee given just below. It sounds to me as if you have the same trouble.

On 2017-04-16 by Terry

I flush the toilet and it flushes fine but fills slowly unless I turn off the valve and back on again.

On 2017-04-14 by (mod) re: check toilet cistern fill valve for clog or blockage

Dee

Often the toilet tank fill valve will clog up with debris or mineral scale. Some valves can be cleaned and some have replaceable parts just for that purpose, but in my experience once a fill valve is giving trouble it's easier, faster, and ultimately cheaper to just replace it. \

On 2017-04-14 by Dee

My toilet tank fills just fine, but it takes a while to start filling. What is arring and how do I fix it?

On 2017-04-08 by (mod) re: risks of leaving a clogged toilet drain include safety & health & cost

And it's quite possible that other neighbors are going to experience the same problem. You could point out to management, in writing, that in addition to health concerns and safety concerns (bacterial hazards and risk of a methane explosion if sewage backs up in a building) the cost of a cleanup if there is a sewage backup will be many times greater than the cost of un-clogging a blocked drain, even if the drain line needs actual repair.

Most rental agreements require that the lessor provide safe habitable housing.

On 2017-04-08 by Brigitte V

Actually, the previous I mentioned was the sink. I shared about that to show that management is not quick to move on problems. It took them three weeks to get a plumber out. If it had only been one tenant, instead of several, it might not have been that soon. Obviously, we can't wait three weeks for the toilet to be functioning properly. We're using it, for liquids. No paper or solids. Only flushing once a day. Both my husband & I are somewhat disabled & have health issues. Not having a toilet that works well is a hardship.

When I called yesterday, I was told that a plumber would be coming out around 3 or 4. They didn't show up. We're figuring, if they're involving a plumber, then, it is more than one unit affected. I don't think they have anyone working maintenance currently. They probably wouldn't even bother with a plumber if they had someone on site. As for health concerns. These are the same people who, when there was listeria outbreak in the pool. Instead of cleaning it out, they filled it in with dirt. It's been like that ever since. Almost three years.

That was, just one example, to show that management doesn't have much concern about health, etc. One of many reasons we need to get out of here.

On 2017-04-08 by (mod)

Brigitte

What you describe sounds to me like a clogged main drain or toilet drain.

Yes it's possible that the prior repair was not complete or not fully effective.

If a drain blockage is remote from your specific home you may see sewage backups when system use is high, filling the otherwise empty drain line between your home and the point of blockage.

A toilet plunger will never be enough to clear a clogged drain line if it the blockage is quite distant - say more than 10-15 feet away.

On 2017-04-08 by Brigitte V

Hi, this past Wed (4-5) the toilet started having trouble. With no indication previously of any issues. When we flush now, it will fill up half to 3/4 of the way & then drain out (almost completely) within 15 mins. We live in a studio (we're saving for a home) where management is slow to respond to issues & spends as little as possible. Four months ago, when we were living at the other end of the complex, we & a few other neighbors, were having stuff backing up into our sinks.

It was apparent from the content, including, cooking oil that someone was putting things down their sink that they shouldn't. We had to keep bailing the sink out everyday & couldn't use it. After three weeks, they had a plumber come out & fix it. Is there something we'd be able to do with the toilet problem? We've called them a dozen times, so far & the only thing they did was give us a snake. Neither that or the plunger worked. Thanks for your help.

On 2017-04-05 by (mod) re: why a toilet or "pollute" makes drain sounds

bill,

A partly blocked drain can cause gurgling sounds at nearby sinks, tubs, shower drains when the toilet is flushed, as can a blocked or missing vent.

On 2017-04-05 by Bill

My pollute makes a her to sound some times what could it be

On 2017-03-27 by Anonymous

Thanks! I guess I'll wait and pay more to the plumber, the hot water heater will already set me back $1100. :( I was thinking more along the lines of a bottle of Mr. Plumber, haha. Noo way I'm wrestling with a toilet. <sigh>

On 2017-03-27 by (mod) re: difficulty reaching a drain blockage distant from toilet

You probably can't unless you have a long snake or a rotary snake OR if you're hurculean in strength and can drag around a heavy rent-a-snake rotary drain auger you could
- remove the toilet
- auger the drain line
- feel along as you do so to try to detect collapsing sewer lines, broken sewer line fragments and the like

It's possible but not for the faint-hearted. I used to do it. Now I call a plumber.

On 2017-03-27 by Anonymous

well, that makes sense. So- now to determine the best way to clear that line out...before the plumber arrives. :0

On 2017-03-27 by (mod) re: detecting a distant or remote drain blockage

The drain is being loaded up, perhaps partly blocked further down the drain line. First flush fills the pipe and drains away slowly without anyone noticing. The second flush waste encounters the not-yet-emptied drain pipe and so behaves differently, maybe creating a backpressure and outgassing. Of course I'm speculating.

On 2017-03-27 by Anonymous

why would this happen on the second flush but not the first? When you say partly -blocked drain do you mean toilet drain? And if so, should snaking it resolve it? Thanks for your knowledge.

On 2017-03-27 by (mod) re: suggestions for a slow drain + odors

Hmmm. On thinking about it, I'd ask the plumber to take a look, give an opinion, and give an estimated repair cost or a cost to investigate more thoroughly. All of that ought to take little time and not add significantly to the bill. On the other hand, if he or she discovers or can see quickly what's wrong (like a bad toilet seal) it will be less costly to have all plumbing work done in a single service call than to have to have two service calls.

On 2017-03-27 by Lisa

I just bought a 50 year old home that I rented out in February. My tenant told me that if she "flushes the toilet twice within a few minutes, there's really bad smell that lingers." Before she moved in, I had the main line off of the laundry sink snaked since it was draining slowly.

Any suggestions? The plumber is coming out Wednesday of this week to replace a hot water heater. She wanted to tack this on to his visit. I would like to either fix this on my own or if out of my ability range, at least make sure that the plumber isn't wasting time/money in case they send me a newbie. Any advice would be great.

On 2017-03-19 by (mod) re: air noise at drain may be due to blockage

Perhaps a clogged or partly-blocked drain?

On 2017-03-19 by Dwayne

We went to california for 4 days when we got back i went upstairs used the bathroom and flushed the toilet and this occured souded like maybe air was trapped in the sewage drain line is my assumption correct or is there something else?

On 2017-01-26 by Myrna

Have you ever heard of this happening: i run water in the bathroom sink (faucet) and water starts to leak underneath the base of the toilet.... but i flush the toilet and no leak?

On 2017-01-17 by InspectApedia Publisher - re: sucking air noise at toilet

This is an interesting and tricky toilet flush problem, and I'm not certain of the issue because that "sucking sound" when a toilet is flushed can also indicate a vent pipe inadequacy,  but usually the problem is the following: 

There may be  a partial blockage some distance downstream from the offending toilet. What happens is that because the drain blockage is remote, when there's a backup of water on the fixture side of the blockage some flushes seem to work fine but the wastewater and waste (tissues, feces) hit the partial blockage and slow down there, maybe even increasing the blockage, then drain slowly by. 

A subsequent flush soon after the first one seems much worse or won't flush at all because the first flush wastewater volume is taking up space in the drain line. 

The problem can be intermittent depending on just what's being flushed down a toilet and at what interval.

Solution: have the drain line cleaned or if you prefer, first inspected with a sewer line inspection camera to be sure that the piping itself isn't damaged or collapsing. 

On 2017-01-17 by Tim

When flushing my toilet it sounds like it is sucking a lot of air. The water in the bowl will rise about an inch but will not flush out of the bowl and then slowly returns to normal level. The water tank completely empties and fills to normal level with normal sound and time. After the tank has filled, I will flush it a second time and it works as it should, no air sucking sound, clearing the bowl quickly and filling at a normal rate.

There are no other unusual sounds. I've tried listening to various areas of the toilet to try an pinpoint where the sucking sound is originating with no success. This does not occur every time the toilet is used, it may happen once or twice during the day ,and then there are other days will it works properly all day. Also,if I flush the toilet with a bucket of water, the bowl drains quickly. I'm stumped. :(

On 2016-12-06 by Chris re: toilet started re-filling itself

Hi. I can't seem to locate the problem with my toilet. Over the weekend one of our toilets suddenly started to refill itself. It seems to happen about 1 hour and ten minutes post flush, and then does not occur again (that I have seen).

I tried using the dye test to figure out where the water is going but after 8 hours no color appeared in the bowl and it looks like almost no water had drained in that time. There is no water on the floor or underside of the tank. Thoughts? Both the flapper and fill valve were replaced at the beginning of Aug.

On 2016-11-30 by (mod) re: requires multiple flushes to clear toilet

Pressure will probably dissipate and lower water volume may make matters worse.

I suggest scoping the line to look for damage or obstruction and to check slope.

On 2016-11-29 by Mike

I have a 90 cast iron sewer line that T's out to two toilets. Since replacing the two 3.5 gal flush toilets with 2 1.6 gal,flush toilets, we experience backup at 58'. The thinking is there is not enough velocity to move the entire distance. The line is intact with no breaks

. When flushed it takes 3 times to clear to the main sewer. We have thought about a pressure assisted unit. Will the pressure backup into the other unit through the t connection, or would the pressure just dissipate and still not carry the debris to the main.

On 2016-11-02 by Andy

I just installed my toilet a while back, because the old one had a crack in it. Now, the toilet will flush and the water will practically fill the entire toilet and then start going down extremely slow. It will drain after a while, but the next time you flush, the exact same thing happens.

The toilet also stinks really bad now, not sure why though. This is on the first floor, and the other toilet on the second floor isn't having this problem. I was wondering if it is just a clog somewhere within the toilet and any advice on what to do? Thank you!

On 2016-08-25 by MikeR

Hi, just wanted to let you know that I replaced the fill valve and everything works perfectly....Thank You very much for your help!

On 2016-08-23 by (mod) re: bad toilet fill valve

Yep it sounds like a bad fill valve. I'd replace that unit.

On 2016-08-23 by Anonymous

Hi, thank you for the reply. Yes, the toilet water supply valve is fully open. I also tried moving the float arm up and down a few times but now it won't shut off at all. I'm going to try replacing the whole fill valve and float arm assembly next....

On 2016-08-23 by (mod) re: checks for slow toilet tank fill

Mike:

First check that the toilet water supply valve is fully open;

Next: you might see what the flow rate is when the fill valve seems to be fully open - let's rule out a clogged toilet shutoff valve clog.

Try moving the float arm up and down five or 10 times to see if you can free-up a sticking fill control valve; if that doesn't work you probably need to replace the fill-valve.

On 2016-08-22 by MikeR

Even after a flush has completed, I notice that the water level inside the tank continues to rise very slowly until it reaches the top of the overflow tube and starts trickling down into it. When I shine a flashlight down the overflow tube, I can see a small amount of water running at the bottom. I've tried adjusting the float arm but that doesn't fix it. How do I stop this?

On 2016-07-27 by (mod) re: kudos

Thanks so much, Jan. We work hard to provide accurate, researched, un-biased information, and of course I'm thrilled when a reader finds that effort useful. We also welcome criticism, content suggestions, questions, as those help us improve our information - working together makes us smarter. - Daniel

On 2016-07-27 by Jan

What a fantastic site educational and helpful! Thank-you very much!

On 2016-07-21 by (mod) re: water level in toilet bowl seems to vary

I think what you describe is normal, or at worst, the toilet bowl is slightly over-filled at the end of a flush cycle.

Any water in the bowl that is higher than the lowest edge of the bowl outlet will run out of the toilet. So if the bowl is as full as possible after a flush and we pee even a 1/2 cup into the toilet, we'll hear that overflow trickling out of the bowl.

You can adjust the bowl fill rate by slightly crimping the bowl fill tube that runs from the top of your toilet tank fill valve into the top of the toilet tank overflow tube. That will lower the bowl level slightly if you wish. Also check that your toiliet tank or cistern is not being overfilled: it should fill to just the FILL LINE marked inside the tank.

On 2016-07-21 by Jan

Hello.. when the water level changes in my toilet bowl from usage.. not when flushing (flushes normal and water level in the tank portion is at the appropriate level).. I hear a very faint water running sound.. do you have recommendations on where I should begin with trouble shooting? Thankyou

On 2016-07-05 by (mod) re: loud suction noise at toilet

Sounds as if the vent is too far, not connected, under-sized, or is partly blocked.

On 2016-07-04 by Mark

Hello. When I flush my toilet it draws air in through the overflow pipe which is making a loud suction noise. The toilet is a burlington high cistern and is new. If I put my thumb on the overflow the noise stops.is there a ball non return valve that can be fitted or is this normal. Thanks.

On 2016-07-01 by (mod) re: toilet tank not re-filling

Most likely there is a slow leak at the toilet flush valve / flapper valve. Try replacing that valve, ideally adding a new valve seat.

Or if you want to have fun, color the water in the tank with food coloring and watch for that appearing in the bowl below.

On 2016-07-01 by chall

After winterizing our cottage, and turning the water supply back on, we saw that the toilet tank filled fine, the toilet flushed and refilled fine. We turned the main water valve to the house OFF overnight and left the premises. That was yesterday.

Today, before turning the main water valve back on, we see that the toilet tank is now empty (the toilet bowl has the same amount of water in it as it had yesterday when we left). What's causing the tank to empty overnight like that?

On 2016-06-25 by (mod) re: air discharge check when toilets make louder flush noise

If you also have air discharge at faucets search InspectApedia for AIR DISCHARGE AT FAUCETS to read about what may be the cause.

The supply pressure won't change how most toilets flush: supply pressure and flow rate affect how long it takes to re-fill the flush tank. But the flush is controlled by the water level in the tank and the operation of the flush valve.

As you note an issue with all toilets let's ask what they have in common: air venting and drain piping.

On 2016-06-25 by Bk

My toilet is making louder flushing noises than usual and it seems that the rank is emptying when flushed and possibly pulling in air. It's all toilets in the house so thinking the line may have to much pressure?? Any thoughts?

On 2016-06-01 by (mod) re: symptoms of leaky toilet flush valve - flapper valve

I suspect the toilet is running due to a leaky flapper valve

On 2016-05-22 by cate

our toilet on the 2nd floor makes a sound like it flushing but water doesn't enter or leave the toilet. it seems to do this every 2 hours and no body is in there. when someone does use it it works fine. Whats going on?

On 2016-04-30 by Sidd

Hi,
Well there are 2-3 different kinds of situations where I face problem but I think all those problems are related to air getting caught while flushing. Altough I am not sure hence writing here for you guidance

1) Sometimes When I flush, some kind of weird sounds comes (like a bomb blast or something) and hardly any water comes out.

2) Sometimes when I flush, for a second the water drops and comes out so rapidly that it spills out of the pot. But that is only for a second and then the water stops flowing

3) Even when no activity is happening sometimes small amount of water automatically starts coming without even pressing the flush.

In general whenever I flush the water only drops from the back side of the pot and not at all covering the whole pot and the amount of water that comes is very less. Thus I have to flush 3-4 times to flush off the whole poop.

I have the same pot in my another bathroom and that is working perfectly. Infact I have observed that even in that other bathroom having same pot, the water comes from the back portion only but it covers the whole pot so nicely with excellent water pressure and no air causing the water to spill out.

I have a fear that if I increase the water pressure from the terrace for the pot I am facing problem, then the water may start spilling out on every flush.

On 2016-02-22 by (mod) re: checking for a loose toilet

You may have loosened the tank on the bowl or base, permitting water to leak around the flapper valve gasket between the tank and bowl.

On 2016-02-22 by Louis

I had a clogged toilet that I had to snake out because a plunger didn't work. The snake took a little manipulating but I was able to clear it. Now the toilet is running, it doesn't seem to be from the flapper. What's up?

On 2016-02-11 by (mod) re: sewage appears in sink basin

Anon: almost always, when sewage appears in a sink basin it has risen in the drain waste vent piping into the sink from a toilet on a higher floor, combined with a blocked building drain below.

It seems to me very unlikely that the sewage comes from the toilet on the same floor as the sink. That's because the sink is higher than the toilet: we'd expect the toilet to overflow rather than drain "uphill" to the sink.

On 2016-02-11 by Anonymous

Its not a new toilet that I had a problem with its waste somehow getting into the wash basin. Thanks for any help.

On 2016-02-11 by Anonymous

I got some toilet waste in the wash basin in bathroom, what could cause this.

On 2015-08-25 by (mod) re: diagnosing a bad toilet wax ring seal

You are quite right to ask. Perhaps a wax ring smushed over to one side during toilet installation.

Or perhaps the new toilets send a larger volume of water faster down the drain, disclosing a vent defect that was there before but was not obvious with slower smaller volume flushing.

Or my speculations can be flat wrong.

On 2015-08-25 by Anonymous

Thanks..but why didnt it do that before the new toilet was installed?

On 2015-08-17 by (mod) re: plumber won't return calls

Bad plumber!

It sounds as if there is a drain blockage or a vent line that is blocked or improperly routed.

On 2015-08-16 by Michael

I have 2 second floor toilets back to back in separate rooms. Its works fine until 1 toilet was replaced. Now when I flush the new one
water splashes up in the other toilet. The plumber will not return my calls.

On 2017-03-11 by (mod) - how to fix a slow flushing toilet

Check out the slow-flushing-toilet diagnosis and repair procedure

TOILET FLUSHES POORLY - slow draining or inadequate flush water volume

On 2017-03-11 by James Elliott

@James Elliott,
How can I fix this
My toilet is flushing very slowly, I sometimes have to flush it twice. What is wrong with it?

...

Continue reading  at TOILET REPAIR GUIDE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see TOILETS REPAIR FAQs-4 - more-recent questions and answers about troubleshooting and repairing toilets

Or see these

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• TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST - home
• TOILET FLUSH OPERATION
• TOILET FLUSHES POORLY
• TOILET LEAK CATASTROPHES
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• TOILET WON'T FLUSH

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TOILETS REPAIR FAQs-3 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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