Not sure where to post home improvement stuff so please move if it's the wrong section.

My question is:
I have a toilet that holds water in the tank no problem but the water in the bowl disappears after about 1 day with no use.

Anyone have any idea how to fix this? Ever had this issue before?

8/2/2008 9:29:33 AM

Is the floor wet around the toilet? Can you check the floor underneath the toilet.
There is a possibility the wax ring is leaking, and the water is finding its way into or under the floor.

8/2/2008 10:00:00 AM

ohh lord I hope not - the kitchen is below the toilet and I do not see any stains in the ceiling.

I do know that toilet is not 100% level - could that have anything to do with it?
It's tilted a bit backwards. Not much but I had to shim it due to the tile floor not being 100% level.

8/2/2008 10:19:51 AM

When the level in the bowl drops relatively quick it is usually a problem that is solvable with an auger or plunger; something may be lodged and the trap needs to be cleared. Your situation sounds more like a leak in the trap but who knows for sure. The only way to tell for sure, if the auger and plunger does not help is to remove the bowl from the floor flange and test the bowl for cracks or a hole in the trap.

To do this you simply remove the assembly from the floor flange, it is easier to take the tank off first and you will want to install a new tank to bowl kit when you reassemble. After removal you want to turn the bowl upside down and inspect the trap for visible obstructions or damage (hole or crack in water way of trap) but you can not see the entire distance without using mirrors and a flashlight. Next set the bowl in the tub or shower and fill the bowl with water to the proper level. If the water level goes down now it has to be leaking and the obvious solution is to replace it with a new one. Still repair is possible if you can find the leak. If the water level does hold then you must have an obstruction in the closet bend or the vent that is causing the bowl to continue its siphoning action after the flush. If that is the case you need to check the vent and closet bend making sure the closet bend (the closet bend is the section of pipe that the floor flange connects to and it conducts the waste to the main drain line usually within a couple of feet and at the main drain there is a vent connection) will take at least 15 gallons of water (using 5 gallon buckets pour directly down the closet bend) quickly without backing up. If it backs up or there is a lot of noise you need Ivan.


[Edited on August 2, 2008 at 10:51 AM. Reason : f]

8/2/2008 10:49:14 AM

http://www.teamtoilet.net

8/2/2008 11:56:56 AM

Could it be as simple as the seal leaking into the bowl? IE the flap not sealing?

8/2/2008 12:13:23 PM

^no, a leaking flapper will cause water to leak into the bowl from the tank.

i assume it's flushing normally otherwise since you didn't say anything? i hate to say it, but if you're positive the tank level isn't changing and/or the fill valve isn't constantly letting water in to compensate, you've probably got a crack or hole somewhere. could even be a defect in the casting. it can take a long time for leaks to show up elsewhere. there's wood, insulation, etc. for it to soak into. get the toilet pulled up by yourself or a plumber and that should tell the tale. if you're looking for someone to do it, pm me.

oh, and tilting it doesn't really matter for just a little... at worst, it might just make it keep the bowl level a touch lower.

8/2/2008 2:46:15 PM

It's incredible the amount of toilet knowledge that can be found in this forum. Seriously! Although it does seem like BBR is/was a plumb type R, IIRC.

[Edited on August 2, 2008 at 5:25 PM. Reason : ]

8/2/2008 5:25:00 PM

8/2/2008 8:42:42 PM

one of mine does that if the TP doesnt go all the way out. its weird like that

8/3/2008 10:00:46 AM

Do you have some kind of big dog?

8/3/2008 11:14:18 AM

^^^^^

I pulled the toilet from the flange and there was no leaking around the base and the wax seal looked in really good shape. I also put the bowl in the tub and filled it up last night before I went to sleep. This morning when I went to check it had lost about half of the water.

So - BBR - I would assume there is a crack somewhere and my best bet would be to just replace the toilet?

8/16/2008 9:59:50 AM

goto hughes on yonkers rd and get a cadet 3, ADA height, elongated bowl. best toilet I've ever sat on. you can flush 15 golfballs or 120' of paper at once and it wont clog. I accidentally dropped a razor and a battery in once and then accidentally flushed it. No problems in the month since then

8/16/2008 10:26:35 AM

replace the toilet dude.

casting defect.

Quote :

"I accidentally dropped a razor and a battery in once and then accidentally flushed it. "

if i had a razr, i'd flush it too.

8/16/2008 11:59:19 AM

^^^yep, just replace it.

^^you're an odd one out then. most people aren't a fan of the new american standards, myself included. most all toilets have been absolutely terrible since mandatory water usage per flush limits were put in place, though. once upon a time, american standard had the best stuff out there. my parents have some in their house approaching 40 years old, and they've only required basic maintenance of the rubber parts. the cadets are "better" than a lot of stuff, but still not really up to par imo.

if i was buying just a basic, new toilet it would have to be a toto. they're really doing the most of anyone out there, and we're not seeing many reliability problems out of them. the flush valves are HUGE.

now if you really want something to suck your ass off, you need pressure assisted.

[Edited on August 16, 2008 at 4:30 PM. Reason : .]

8/16/2008 4:30:10 PM

Quote :

"now if you really want something to suck your ass off, you need pressure assisted. "

reminds me of high priced apartments and airplanes. i always check to see if my junk is still there.

[Edited on August 17, 2008 at 12:09 AM. Reason : g]

8/17/2008 12:06:11 AM

Quote :

"now if you really want something to suck your ass off, you need pressure assisted. "

that could be taken so many different ways..

8/17/2008 3:54:01 AM

lol, comes with the profession. there are so many ridiculously named parts also. while we're on toilets, did you know that fill valves are call "ballcocks"? yeah...

8/17/2008 4:22:27 AM