I have a toilet. It flushes "okay,"--poop usually goes down--but the pressure it usually too weak to force down toilet paper. TP lingers in the bowl for 2-3 more flushes. The water level in the bowl always stays low. Even if I pour extra water in directly, it refuses to hold it above the level you see. Another peculiar thing is that the fill-hose in the tank is not connect to the overflow tube. (See pic second pic.) Would that have an effect on the flush pressure? Is this a problem that a plumber could fix, or do I need a new toilet?
The water level is a set characteristic of the design of that particular toilet. Nothing you can do without replacing it. If the toilet dates from around the mid-90s or so, it's probably one of the early 'Lo-Flo' designs, which are notorious about not being able to completely get shit down. There are kits you can buy that will replace the current set up in your tank and boost the pressure up to something that'll get your turds and paper headed in the right direction.
I don't get the concept of the "low flow" toilet! You end up using more water in the long run. Let me preach on it - here is an example of the low-flow water wasting: 1. the first flush is mid-shit. You know it's not all going to down in one flush, so give up the dream. Why risk overflowing the toilet? 2. the second flush empties the second half of your shit. 3. third flush for your ass wiping, possibly a fourth depending on the Bristol stool chart! but an old school large capacity toilet means: 1. the first flush can handle an entire adult male BM 2. the second flush is for ass wiping, same as the low flow scenario but it can handle a double wipe if necessary. so while the low flow is less water, you will have to flush twice as much for the same BM and toilet paper volume. The only solution would be to take smaller shits, but that means you would have to take more frequent shits - either way you are not saving water.
How often do you take a shit, though? I mean, every time you go to piss, do you also shit? Or do you piss more often than you shit?
oh that's right! Pissing would factor greatly in to total water used. As for myself I do indeed piss constantly - if my urine isn't crystal clear I'm not drinking enough water. While I don't want to act like I'm in the 3rd World, maybe flushing after every forth piss or so (assuming I'm at home) would be the way to go. And because my piss is so clear, it sure won't smell rank. Maybe there can be an alternate flush function just for pissing! Do such toilets exist? If not, it can't be rocket science!
Toto Entrada. available by special-order from Home Depot. I replaced the 50s thrones in the brick ranch we bought with these. The old toilets plugged at least once in 6 months and our water consumption averaged 8,000 gals/mo. Afterward we consistently get 5,000 gals/mo and no more plugs. Plus they make a satisfying smacking noise when they swallow.
At my old house I had this problem and what was causing it was tree roots groing into the sewer line. I'd get it rooter rooted about every six months and finally the plumber told me about a chemical treatmebt that prevents the roots from growing back. After that the problem never returned.
