Partial toilet blockage - plumber came and said it was worn

[MilindPuri]

I was away and my wife called in a plumber as the water would rise to the top of the bowl then drain slowly away.

I've no idea what the plumber did - perhaps poked around with a wire or used a plunger - nobody was watching him. In the end he said the toilet was worn out???

It is a downstairs bathroom toilet, we moved here 9 months ago - in fact I always thought that the water level in the bowl was a little high but put that down to the design of the toilet. The soil pipe joins with the main house soil pipe about 2 feet away - all the other toilets flush fine. There is another downstairs toilet about 6 feet away which flushes just fine.

I've tried chemical unblockers - no difference.

Any tips for what to try next - should I call a drainage specialist?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[hi1]

Hi, any chance of a picture where the pipe joins the stack?
You say you've used chemical unblockers, does this include a product called oneshot? This is an acid based product which in my experience eats through any blockage except plastic. You can buy it at b+q for a tenner. Its savage stuff so you need to be sure that its all gone through before fiddling with the drains if the blockage doesn't clear. Use gloves and glasses and the fumes can cause irritation. Good luck

 

[seco services]

use a proper auger for clearing toilets etc or get a drainage specialist.

chemicals are waste of time that you can buy off the shelf.

 

[cider]

is it an old toilet?
It could be a syphonic pan and the aireator isnt sealed or cistrern water level low

 

[MilindPuri]

is it an old toilet?
It could be a syphonic pan and the aireator isnt sealed or cistrern water level low

The toilet is probably about 20 years old - I don't know what a syphonic pan is.

Cistern water level is fine.

 

[holty]

as cider has sugested it could be a syphonic toilet. that maybe is why the plumber has said it is worn.they use a part between the cistern and pan to assist in the syphonic action of the pan.thats why when it prob worked you would see the water rise then all of a sudden the water would drain away till it was topped up from the cistern.have to admit depending on the make of the toilet its not that easy of a fix.

 

[MilindPuri]

as cider has sugested it could be a syphonic toilet. that maybe is why the plumber has said it is worn.they use a part between the cistern and pan to assist in the syphonic action of the pan.thats why when it prob worked you would see the water rise then all of a sudden the water would drain away till it was topped up from the cistern.have to admit depending on the make of the toilet its not that easy of a fix.

Aha - many thanks! I did a google search an I understand more about syphonic toilets now!

And I found in the cistern lid that I have a Balterley Bathrooms, Vitreous China, Carina II toilet which according to postings on other sites is a syphonic.

So what is my next step - try to get a replacement part and a plumber to fit it? The last guy who came talked about a new toilet which of course would be a different colour so we'd have to change everything in the bathroom - no thank you.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Firstly i'd suggets either you or your plumber attempt to source the part, and get him to fit if neccessary. My guess is its the 'bomb', sits in tail of syphon and assists in starting the syphonic action in the pan.

Failing that, there are manufacturers of sanitaryware in the old colours, these are one. Others are available!

http://www.discontinuedbathrooms.co.uk/manufacturers/balterley.htm

 

[doitall]

It is called an Aspirator or Bomb, must plumbers merchants should have the washer. otherwise google "Lunn"

The washer should be on the end of the tube, with 1-2mm sticking out.

 

[cider]

old school plumber required

 

[doitall]

old school plumber required

Absolutely, this is where the young uns come unstuck.

Sad thing is it can cost serious money trying to unblock drains etc, when you don't have a blockage.

I actually know where it cost over a thousand pounds, rods, camera's the lot, 30mins and a 25p washer solved the problem,

 

[MilindPuri]

I'm going to see whether I can get the 'bomb' locally, otherwise a more specialist spare part.

Don't know why the guy who came did not suggest just changing the 'bomb'!

cheers

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Might have been as DIA said he came unstuck and didnt understand your toilet. If your planning on fitting a new 'bomb' yourself, make sure the thing is an absolutely airtight fit into the hole in the pan, otherwise it wont work!!!!! I suggest you look at this thread as well. (Rather than me write it all out again!)

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1183103#1183103

 

[doitall]

I'm going to see whether I can get the 'bomb' locally, otherwise a more specialist spare part.

Don't know why the guy who came did not suggest just changing the 'bomb'!

cheers

You don't need a new bomb unless you break the old one, buy a new half moon washer, and position it it right on the end of the tube so 2mm is sticking out, reassemble the cistern and it will work fine.

 

[tonybhoy]

All of this depends of course on being able to remove the cistern from the pan