Toilet flushing problem: I'm living in a brand new house, so blockage doesn't appear to be a problem.?

Question

But for this toilet, when I flush, the water doesn't "swirl" in the bowl as much as a typical working toilet. And the water in the bowl doesn't get suck into siphon hole with very much pressure. Sometimes, it doesn't even flush a couple of pieces of toilet paper away. When a plumber (not a very good one) came in to fix it, he just turned a little k**b back and forth in the tank. It's shaped liked a cross or a "x" shaped plastic thing, and it's located on the top left of the toilet. He turned it back and forth, and it appeared to fix the problem at the time, but it really didn't. This is all I can think of to explain the problem. Help!

Is this something that I can fix without calling another plumber in?

Answer 1

Brand new homes should have a warranty. Call and ask for a 'real' plumber to advise you onsite. It is not out of the question to have a defective toilet and it replaced by warranty. It happens all the time. Do not let this go on for any time. Use the warranty and be a squeaky wheel. If you do not have this option the x thing is to adjust the water level in the tank. Try to adjust this k**b to hold as much water in the tank as possible to charge the flush as well as the design will let you. It may take several adjustments and flushing in between to get this optimal level. Also the toilet may have to be taken up and reset. The wax seal [if equipped this way] may have been smeared in position and causing a slow flush.

Answer 2

The k**b he adjust is for the float.  Not all but many new toilets do not "swirl" as they use to.

I would suggest turning the water supply line off in the back left under the tank.  Flush the toilet a few times to get as much water out, loosen the bolts that attach the tank and bowl, remove bowl and check the gasket that sits between the two.  While the tank is off the bowl look inside the bowl where the water flows in and make sure nothing is sitting there.  

As one other person mention check the flap chain.  It might be set to long and just needs to be shortened.  

All of these are easy steps and would take you less then 30 minutes.  Good luck!

Answer 3

The water level inside the tank is what controls the volume of the flush. Remove the tank lid, look inside on the back wall of the tank. You should see a line showing the water level. This is controlled by the float or plastic ball. The s***w he was turning was to change the level at which it would close the ball c**k (water valve). If you can just sit and watch as if refills the tank adjust until it makes a good flush. Also make sure the angle stop, (supply valve under toilet) is in the full open position. All the way counterclockwise.

**JD

Answer 4

if its a 1.6 gal toilet, perhaps it has a selector k**b on the inside allowing you to adjust between 1.6 and another amount of water, depending on the toilet.  if its not deirectly set to 1.6 or 1.*, it wont work properly.

but i doubt thats the problem.  Did someone flush something down it they shouldnt have? you have kids? is there water leaking in the basement where the toilet sits? bad wax ring not centered in the toilet?

Do you use those blue tablets to make the water blue? they make residue. if you do, empty the water and wipe the tank out.

the little holes under the lip where the water fills the tank, if those are pluged, get vinager in a spray bottle to break up any grime.

what about the rubber flapper on the inside?  if that goes down too fast after you flush, youre not getting the correct about of water in the toilet.

Answer 5

It could be the flapper is not being raised enough to complete the flush cycle. look inside tank grab rod to flapper and lift it till tank is almost empty then let go of it if the toilet flushes good,move hook on flapper rod down the chain till it flushes good .Some have plastic rod with holes or notches,you will get it once you look in tank .Good luck

Answer 6

make the chain shorter

Answer 7

Dont be so sure it is not blockage just because it is new.  You do not know what the contractors might have flushed down the toilet....like maybe a glove on accident.   (speaking from experiance after the sewage came up into my newly purchased house) And if you have not figured out how to fix it by now you probably need a plumber.

Answer 8

Both my toilets are 1 gpf and they swirl and drain fine. I think you need to start screaming at the builder. Blockage in the drain is possible, but I would guess the toilet is either defective or improperly installed. Builders use the cheapest labor available since the housing industry went non-union. Most of the guys on the housing tracts aren't the sharpest crayons in the box.

Answer 9

If it's a new house it could be builder's debris in the pipe or the pipes have not been laid to the correct slope

Answer 10

I had this same problem I went and bought a toilet augar and put it into the toilet and I could hit something in the bottom of the toilet but I could not retrieve it finally I had to take the toilet up and in the very bottom I found a cell phone yes a cell phone it made it threw the toilet trap but could not go into the main.I am not saying this is your problem but you might want to avoid alot of anguise and take a look underneath be prepared to replace the wax toilet ring and the bolts that hold the toilet down and oh!!! good luck:)