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May 21, 2009
A Toilet Eruption
Q: Ed, your column is great! We enjoy reading it every week and now we have a problem. Our home is only about four years old and every time you flush the toilet it seems to erupt in an upward motion instead of going down the drain. No one can solve this; what could cause this problem?
-G, Florida
A: This can be a tricky one, since you need to determine if it's the toilet not creating a siphon in the bowl -- or if it's a drainage problem. Drainage problems can include blockage issues, venting problems, and septic system failures.
I would start by replacing the present toilet with one of the new high-efficiency toilets on the market (make sure it's a top brand name). Once a new toilet is installed, that should help you pinpoint where the problem is (or was).
If the new toilet works, you're all set. If you still have the same problem, well, now your plumber can concentrate on the drainage system and track down the issue.
I know there's a chance you'll be buying a new toilet that might not necessarily be needed, but like anything else in life, you have to start somewhere!
Ed Del Grande, the author of Ed Del Grande's House Call, was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.Posted by Ed Del Grande at May 21, 2009 12:08 PM
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Comments
I would have the present toilet removed and have a plumber send down the drain a snake and see if the drainage problem is blocked before buying a new toilet if there is a blockage then find out where the blockage is and use a plumber that has remote tv camera to look inside of the drains going all the way out to the main sewer pipe or to the septic tank. if you find the drains clear and the vent pipe clear then I put back the same toilet replacing the wax ring to seal the toilet to the drain pipe and try it again.
Posted by: CRAIG CLOSE at May 27, 2009 11:03 AM
I had somewhat the same problem, but not...
I heard these loud noises in the plumbing in between my two bathrooms. (They butt against each other in my one story home.) It was the sound of rushing agitated water. A loud churning sound. It sounded like maybe my faucets or toilets were about to explode. And basically that is what happened. Clean water shot out of my toilets! How did this happen? (I think someone had used the toilet about 15 minutes earlier.)
Posted by: TR at May 27, 2009 2:51 PM
I have a problem I could use some help with. In my case, the toilet on the first floor flushes fine, but when the toilet on the second floor flushes, water bubbles up in the toilet on the first floor. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by: Lorraine at May 27, 2009 8:48 PM
