Any Experienced plumbers can offer advice about low-flush toilets

[rgf207]

We just moved into our brand new house this weekend. We now have the low-flush toilets which use 1.6 gallons of water. The problem is, we now are having problems with the toilets clogging. They need to be plunged before they will flush. Is there any way to fix this?

 

[BunsenH]

I'm a 'novice', DIY plumber and would suggest that you first confirm that the tank is filling and emptying all the way so that you are at least getting the full 1.6g. If it is, you either have a restriction between the bowl and the drain, or a poorly designed toilet. Happy hunting!

 

[golfgal]

We have this problem on occasion if the bowl is too full. I don't know how to help, we just let things sit in there for a bit to dissolve some and then flush. I know my dad has this problem too and I blame it on the Charmin TP he uses but I don't know if that is really the case.

 

[hopemax]

My parents bought a brand new house last August, and they had to call a plumber the first week because it backed up. After he did the pumping thing (he thinks that there was construction debris in the pipes) he complained about the low-flush toilets. He told them to get in the habit of flushing multiple times if you go #2. Flush, wash your hands, and flush again. Which he admitted, defeats the purpose of the low flush, but the alternative was the stuff not making it through the pipes and getting a backup.

 

[RitaZ.]

What toilet paper brand/type do you use? We had this problem in our bathroom. The plumber told us to use Scott tissue to prevent the problem. It did work, no more clogs.

 

[bicker]

We replaced one of our low-flow toilets because of this. We went with a Toto, and it has never clogged. The brand of the toilet (really: the design of it) makes a big difference.

 

[tar heel]

We also replaced one of ours with a Toto. We'll replace the other two if we ever have $1,000 lying around.

 

[mickeysgal]

We replaced one of our low-flow toilets because of this. We went with a Toto, and it has never clogged. The brand of the toilet (really: the design of it) makes a big difference.

We've had this problem before also. The current house we have has Toto toliets and they're wonderful. I believe they have a wider opening at the base allowing more debris to be pulled through. Go to Home Depot and Lowes, you'll see other brands also advertising a wider opening now. I think a Toto brand has to be special ordered.

 

[bicker]

I don't think the opening is any wider... Other toilets seem to work solely by gravity, while the Toto seems to create more of a vacuum.

 

[mickeysgal]

I don't think the opening is any wider... Other toilets seem to work solely by gravity, while the Toto seems to create more of a vacuum.

I think its the flush valve that I'm thinking is wider than standard toilets. I think Toto's are 3" openings vs. the standard 2". I think that is what creates a faster, more forceful flush while still using only 1.6 gal of water in the tank.

 

[littleteapot]

We also replaced one of ours with a Toto. We'll replace the other two if we ever have $1,000 lying around.

Isn't it the most depressing thing ever to spend money on stuff like toilets and new roofs.....think of the WDW fun we could be having on that money. Stupid house

 

[rgf207]

Thanks for the advice. I think my DW buys Charmin. We will switch to scott and see what that does. I dont like these low flow toilets. Having to flush multiple times defeats the purpose

 

[Mickey527]

I put one of those low water power toilets into the first floor bathroom because one of my family had problems with his "stuff" being too large an amount to leave the toilet. I wanted one like they have at WDW but couldn't find anything.
The power flush would work on a full tank, but with the low-flush it still doesn't move the stuff and we have to flush a few times. And this person is now 15 so you would think he would stay in the room until it is all gone. No, he leaves the room and I seem to always be the one to find it. It is even worse because without the added water there is nothing to decrease the stench.
I have no problems with the regular old fashioned toilet on the 2nd floor so I guess I have to put the old fashioned one back in the first floor too.

 

[daughter_of_amid_chaos]

our septic guy told us no feminine products flushed and to use as little toilet paper as possible because that will clog the pipes.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Ugh.

We have a 1.6 g toilet in one of our bathrooms, and I absolutely detest it.

If you try to flush more than 4 squares of TP, it will back up. If you flush a Kleenex, it will back up. If you look at it hard, it will back up. I even had to go buy a "pretty" decorative plunger, since it has to be prominantly displayed next to the toilet due to frequent use.

And I don't want my toilet to dictate to me what type of TP I use - I gotta have my Charmin!!

I avoid that toilet whenever possible. It is the devil.

 

[monkeyboy]

depends on your diet

 

[LBAK]

Had the plumber in on Sunday for the same reason and he told us Charmin is the worst to use in low volume toilets. It doesn't break apart. He told us to go with Kirkland or BJ's own toilet paper. It breaks up when it hits the water and prevents clogs.

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

By the way, the devil-toilet that I talked about earlier, the one that won't flush 5 squares of TP, did somehow manage to completely flush a sock. Just FYI, in case anyone is interested.

 

[LBAK]

By the way, the devil-toilet that I talked about earlier, the one that won't flush 5 squares of TP, did somehow manage to completely flush a sock. Just FYI, in case anyone is interested.

 

[LadyShiva]

I frequently tell my husband if he really loved me, he'd buy me a real toilet.

He hasn't bit yet... *sigh* He says superglue poo will always clog a toilet. He's such a romantic! He's a whiz with the plunger, though!

Brandie