You have a partial obstruction, sometimes it's human waste and flushing several times will get rid of it. Something may have dropped in your toilet and got stuck. If snake doesn't work, you'll have to take toilet off and see what the obstruction is

The obstruction is most likely 'near' the toilet based on your symptoms. Also, look into checking your Vent Stack. It could be obstructed by a bird's nest or something. Bring a flashlight w/you up onto the roof (and BE SAFE UP THERE!) Also, check the vent in the front yard too. If there are other toilets on the same Stack, and they're OK, then the obstruction is most likely between the 2. If ALL toilets on the Stack have this problem, the obstruction is most likely in the stack (not in the drain line.)

My best to ya and hope this helps.

Jay J -Moderator

PS: If your sinks and such are having problems draining, see how they 'tie' together and go from there ...

PPS: God Bless America!

I have already tried a toilet auger and found no obstructions. Which do you think I should persue first; taking the toilet off or checking the vent stack?

Did this just happen all of a sudden or has it slowly been getting progessively worse?

The air bubbles have been happening for quite some time (6 months to a year). The toilet was flushing fine during this period.

The sluggish flushing is a recent event (the last 4 weeks). I have had to use a plunger several times in the last month.

Something is choking your flow, when you plunge does that help flow or not? I have also seen things stuck in toilets where they are small enough and lodged tight enough that a snake passes right past them and one would never think anything was there. Also, check the flow holes along the inside edge of your bowl, see if they are plugged.

Plunging does seem to help for a little while.

On the weekend I'm going to take the toilet up and check for an obstruction. I will also check the flow holes as you suggested.

If I don't find any problems I will check the vent stack as well

Thanks for all your help Mustang, I appreciate it.

Paul