O.k here is my dilemma. we have been dealing with this problem for over a month to no avail. our toilet overflows 9 out of 10 times it is flushed. you have to have the plunger ready for when it starts. if you dont plunge at the right angle it will not work so we have got it down to a science on the angle for the problem. (i do have a 2 yr old so maybe something is stuck in there that will not let anything pass the trap?!) we have used a snake down the toilet-not removing the toilet itself. it seems logical that something may be in the trap but i am 6 mo. pregnant and the hubby works 3rd shift so getting the tank off will have to wait for a weekend. I guess my question would be what makes the contents go up to and through the trap that we would have missed when we snaked? (the budget is to tight for a plumber so it has to be a DIY thing) What am i doing wrong! we have a dinner scheduled with friends here in october and I cannot even try to imagine telling them they have to plunge when they flush! how humiliating!! please help!!!
COMMUNITY FORUM
Generally it is something that is lodged in the trap that the snake pushes out of the way. Plastic items often are not retrievable by a snake because the snake can't snag them. After you get the toilet paper off the item, the drain goes back to normal, until the toilet paper builds up on the item. Taking the tank off the bowl won't help. You have to pull the toilet up off the floor and use the snake through the bottom opening on the toilet. This will push the item back up through the bowl. The opening on the bottom of the toilet is smaller than the inside of the trap. It was designed to produce a siphon inside the trap. Once a siphon is developed, products are centered in the trap and sucked out. Plastic toys, unfortunately will not go through the opening, because they won't reduce in size.
Taking the toilet off the floor is an easy thing to do. Just make sure you put a piece of cardboard on the floor or carpet to protect the toilet from breakage. Then use a new bowl wax and closet bolt kit when you set the toilet, since the old bolts have been cut off.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
Taking the toilet off the floor is an easy thing to do. Just make sure you put a piece of cardboard on the floor or carpet to protect the toilet from breakage. Then use a new bowl wax and closet bolt kit when you set the toilet, since the old bolts have been cut off.
Good Luck
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
