Troubleshooting toilet that chronically clogs and overflows

[retiredmom]

Does anyone know what underlying problem could be causing my toilet to clog and overflow more often than normal? It seems to happen about once a month.

Not looking for help unclogging it - I know how to use a plunger and a toilet auger. And I also understand how to quickly turn off the water when it is overflowing to prevent it from continuing to overflow. These are the answers I get when I Google the problem, but what I want is a long-term solution.

Thanks!

[Spondulix]

How many gallons is it? (I'm wondering if it's low flow)

[former player]

First question is: what is going down it?  (E.g: you say it happens about once a month, do you have fertile-age females in the house?)

[tooqk4u22]

If it is on the lower level its possible that your sewer main line is the issue - may be collapsed or have roots growing through it that will catch paper and shit and back up the whole system.  Could be minor such that a plumber will run auger through the cleanout or more major needing a pipe replaced.

[Greg]

There are a lot of possible causes... another is age and water quality.  I recently replaced a 14 year old toilet because it wouldn't flush well.  Removed the toilet, no obstructions or other problems.  Just 14 years of water mineral scale in the trap (the curved path the water takes in the toilet base) that no scrub brush could ever reach. 

New $80 water saver toilet flushes in about 1 second, simply amazing.

[Nate R]

Yep, early low flow models didn't do so well. 15-20 year old models mostly.

[zoltani]

There are a lot of possible causes... another is age and water quality.  I recently replaced a 14 year old toilet because it wouldn't flush well.  Removed the toilet, no obstructions or other problems.  Just 14 years of water mineral scale in the trap (the curved path the water takes in the toilet base) that no scrub brush could ever reach. 

New $80 water saver toilet flushes in about 1 second, simply amazing.

Can you link this amazing $80 toilet you speak of?

[retiredmom]

Yes, it is a low-flow toilet. 1.6 gallons. But there is nothing I can do about that part, right? Everything currently on the market is either plain low-flow, or else dual flush where the heavier flush is still low-flow, right?

Some number of tampons do go into the toilet, and at least one was the proximate cause of one clog, but two clogs happened during a month where I was out of the country and a gay male friend was watching the house. Thinking it through, it is really more like 6-8 clogs/year.

I've had the free video inspection of the main line and there is nothing in there. The guy said there was no reason for me to contract his services, plus I watched the camera feed myself.

This toilet is actually on the second floor, too. I have no idea how old it is, as I have only owned my house for 2 years.

If replacing the toilet will solve the problem, I'd be happy to do that. I'm just worried that the problem could be somewhere between the actual toilet and the main line. I would hate to spend money to replace the toilet and then find that the problem still exists and I need to fix the actual plumbing.

[paddedhat]

Lots of great replies so far. One thing to point out is that the whole concept of, " It's clogging because it's a low flow toilet" is definitely valid, assuming it's still 1985. Toilets have come a long way since low water use mandates were first enacted. A bit of research should make it clear that there are lots of choices in inexpensive, yet very effective,  new toilets available.

After looking at the tank and being positive that a full flow of water is being supplied during the flush cycle, my next step in this situation would be to pull the toilet and have a good look at what's going on. Issues can include a failed wax seal. If the seal is broken it can be sucking air. and not functioning properly, without leaving obvious signs of leakage. I would look at the throat of the opening at the base of the bowl, and see if it, or the internal passageway are caked with mineral scale. Now run a short snake down the pipe and feel for obstructions. Next dump a five gallon bucket of water into the drain pipe. Does it accept water as fast as you can pour? Is there any gurgling, burping or sign that the water isn't flowing well.

If there is nothing obvious, I would head to Home Depot and grab a good toilet. They definitely wear out, and I have wasted a lot of time on repairing and tweaking one, only to find that an hour of work, and $100 for a new toilet lead to years of trouble free service.

[retiredmom]

Ok, that all makes sense. I'm probably not willing to pull out the toilet while my daughter is home because she's 4 and going anything when she's around is harder than doing it alone.

Ugh, that was lazy parenting, wasn't it? I guess I'll plan to do it this weekend so she can learn along with me. Sigh.

[Nate R]

Yes, toilets have come a long way NOW. But there's PLENTY of 1992 toilets still around that are terrible.

And, FYI, most plumbers will tell you that the only thing getting flushed should be paper and what came from you. No feminine items, "disposable" baby wipes, etc should go down.  I've seen drains snaked that brought things up that had been caught in the main line for YEARS. Pretty gross.

[paddedhat]

Yes, toilets have come a long way NOW. But there's PLENTY of 1992 toilets still around that are terrible.

I'm still not completely onboard with low flow being an issue in most cases, no matter how old the units are, and IMHO, far to many homeowners assume that their defective toilet would work just fine if I was wasting six gallons a flush, just like the ones they grew up with.  I started building new homes in 1990, and in the decades following, NEVER heard from a customer that they had issues with flushing. That said, they were typical decent products, mostly American Standard and Kohler, and they were obviously connected to PVC and ABS drain lines which are as slick as ice, compared to old cast iron.

And, FYI, most plumbers will tell you that the only thing getting flushed should be paper and what came from you. No feminine items, "disposable" baby wipes, etc should go down.  I've seen drains snaked that brought things up that had been caught in the main line for YEARS. Pretty gross.

you are 100% correct on what should be flushed. If it didn't originate internally, or come off the roll of toilet paper, keep it out of the bowl. I just read a fascinating report on the headaches the municipal sewer agencies are dealing with due to the explosive rise in wipes being flushed. Cities are now wasting millions a year dealing with nearly indestructible wipes that are allegedly "flushable". They clog pipes, damage machinery and are a serious problem. Doesn't matter if it's feminine products, baby wipes or a munchkin loading the bowl with Legos, it never ends well.

[Le Poisson]

In testing the Cadet model by American Standard comes out as one of the best for flushing solids through.

When you do this with your daughter, get her to help! My littles love passing the tools and closing valves, etc. They'll be mystified by the same things you find disgusting. Also, be sure to let them tighten at least one screw or something, and watch the float go up and down in the tank. Ooooh so crazy!!

[Greg]

Can you link this amazing $80 toilet you speak of?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Glacier-Bay-2-piece-1-28-GPF-High-Efficiency-Round-Toilet-in-White-N2428RB-N2428T/202634188?N=5yc1vZbzbd

$88 actually, sorry.  For the price (this is a rental) it works 2x better than what I originally had in there.  I'm a extreme DIYer but sometimes you have to just replace it.  The original toilet was 10 years old, we have minerals in our well water, and had a few tenants who probably never cleaned the toilet and/or let pee sit.  This creates a lot of scale on the glazed trapway.  When I pulled the original toilet (I had done this 2x before to look for clogs) I found the wax seal was loose anyway.

We looked at dual flush models but that's just more things to break and many times you can't get parts and end up replacing the whole thing if there's a problem.  The only thing I don't like about this toilet is the plastic seat, I prefer the painted pressed wood ones.

[retiredmom]

Hold up. Letting pee sit causes scale!?

[Syonyk]

The only thing I don't like about this toilet is the plastic seat, I prefer the painted pressed wood ones.

So replace the seat with a painted pressed wood one. :)

[Greg]

So replace the seat with a painted pressed wood one. :)

Which is what I did in my own home. :)

[Greg]

Hold up. Letting pee sit causes scale!?

Don't know, don't care.  We had tenants who did the whole "yellow let it mellow" thing but also never cleaned, it was gross and never the same after them.

[Spork]

While none of these are as cheap as Greg's bargain...  This is always what I have used in buying toilets and it's never steered me wrong yet:

http://www.terrylove.com/crtoilet.htm

This is a plumber that has for years maintained a list of low-flow toilets that he thinks work well.   

[guitar_stitch]

Hold up. Letting pee sit causes scale!?

Don't know, don't care.  We had tenants who did the whole "yellow let it mellow" thing but also never cleaned, it was gross and never the same after them.

Short answer, yes.  Urine is full of minerals and salts (kidney stones ring a bell?)