[stakro]

I have been doing remodeling construction in my basement the past year and a half. I used the bathroom as a storage room during construction. Consequently, I was unable to use the bathroom, so the toilet hasn't been flushed since construction began. The basement is now done and I have emptied the bathroom. When I opened the toilet lid, there was no water left in the bowl and a lot of tan, chalky residue. I know, I should have been flushing it periodically. So, does anyone have any suggestions what to do now? Hire a plumber? Replace the toilet? I don't dare flush it or put water in it, because I'm not sure what it'll do.

Thanks!

 

[Ironlight]

Just flush it. The water evaporated is all. The residue is dust, I would assume.

 

[stakro]

Thanks for your reply, but it isn't dust. It's a chalky, thick looking powder left behind after all the water evaporated. Could it be deposits in the water or from the salt from the water softener salt that's in the water?

 

[mem]

If you're concerned about it backing up, shop vac it first and pour water in it, a gallon at a time, to see if it still drains.

 

[VIPlumber]

It's a chalky, thick looking powder left behind after all the water evaporated. Could it be deposits in the water or from the salt from the water softener salt that's in the water?

It's possible but I doubt that it's reside from the softener. More likely that it's some drywall dust.

Since you say you don't see any water in the bowl do you notice any smell coming from there? Good call on using a bucket to fill up the WC just to see what's going on.

 

[Ron6519]

Unless you turned the water off during the renovation, the water should have remained full in the tank. The flapper might have allowed water into the bowl during that time, but the tank would have continually refilled.
If you did shut the water off, just clean the chalky substance and flush the toilet and see what happens.
Repair if needed.
Ron