water level in toilet - DIY Chatroom

toolbelt Tina · 05-26-2009, 02:13 AM

I placed the old toilet as a temporary one until I bought the new one. I noticed that water level in the bowl does not drop when you add liquid. Does this sound like a venting problem?

The guy at Lowes told me to use 3" pipe for the toilet. The vent is about 7 feet away and is after the wye to the septic. I hear the test cap on the vanity move and it is on the line before the toilet. I can wet vent that or should I put in 4" and vent it to the rear of the toilet? I had seen a 3" elbow with a 1.5 coming off the elbow part.

The old toilet was slow to flush too but none of the plumbing was even vented.

I am at my wits end on this one.

majakdragon · 05-26-2009, 08:51 AM

Does the water level rise when liquids are added? The water level in a toilet bowl is not adjustable and is dependent on the built-in trap in the bowl. Any excess water drains through this trap. Venting, or lack of, is a totally different problem. If their is no venting, all fixtures will have problems. If possible, some pics, especially the 3" ell with 1-1/2"coming off of it, would be helpful in helping solve your problem.

toolbelt Tina · 05-26-2009, 09:50 PM

Yes the water level went higher when liquids were added and did not drain.

Does it matter if the vent is before or after the wye'?

I will install the new toilet and see if it makes a difference otherwise wet vent the vanity where I hear the suction on the test cap. Last resort is to change the elbow.

I am learning more on plumbing than I wanted to.

Thanks

Plumber101 · 05-26-2009, 10:10 PM

Did this start all of a sudden?

I'm thinking you have a blockage in the line.

majakdragon · 05-26-2009, 10:59 PM

I am also thinking more blockage than venting problems.

toolbelt Tina · 05-27-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plumber101

Did this start all of a sudden?

I'm thinking you have a blockage in the line.

This is a new situation as I just finished the floor and put back the old toilet as temporary. The line should be clear as this is new waste pipe as well.

thanks for your thoughts on this.
I have new toilet and will install this weekend.

toolbelt Tina · 05-27-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majakdragon

I am also thinking more blockage than venting problems.

Could this be a blockage in th trap of the toilet? The toilet could be 18 yrs old.

I will update you on the new install.

toolbelt Tina · 05-30-2009, 06:43 PM

update on my water level problem

New toilet 1.58 gallon model. Works like a dream.

I wet vented the vanity as this is where it (the toilet)was drawing air from. The test cap would rattle.

The old toilet wax ring had slipped forward and that might have caused the water level not to fall.

Anyhow it all works and I don't have to do any major work.

thanks for all who took the time to offer their advice.

Tina

majakdragon · 05-30-2009, 07:01 PM

Glad you found the problem and remedied it.