I have a property I recently acquired and remodeled. Property was built in the 1980s and is single story (in Texas), slab foundation. I am renting it out. During the remodeling, all the sinks and one toilet were removed. The other toilet was left for the construction workers to use. They had no problems.

We replaced the toilets with low-end dual-flush toilets from the hardware store. Last week the renters told me the toilet overflowed and backed up into the tub. I called a rotor company out and they ran a camera and said there was a clog and they fixed it. They said the lines were pretty flat and the toilets may not have enough water flow to flush everything out.

6 days later, we had the shower slowly draining, and the toilet run up into the tub (again). The came back out, ran the camera again, pushed the clog out again. I made them keep the camera in the clean out and watch as I flushed the toilets to make sure all was good. When we did this, it was discovered that the water sort-of "sat" in the line, before running all the way out.

I was told my options were to tear up the slab and re-run the lines with more of a slope; high-pressure wash the line (we did see a small amount of debirs on the walls of the pipes), or get pressure assist toilets.

Reading the forums here, some folks say the better dual flush toilets work as well as pressure assist toilets. Pressure assist toilets will run around $282.17 for a 1.0 gpf for a Wellworth. Do you think a 1.0gpf pressure assist would help, or should I go with a 1.6 gpf, or just a good quality dual flow (or am I up the creek without a paddle - I can't afford to tear up the foundation to re-run the lines, and I am not sure how low the sewer lines are; that may be why my pipes are "flat".

Any and all suggestions are helpful!

Thank you, Julye

Pressure assist toilets only assist in evacuating the bowl. Once the water and matter has entered the piping, the assist does nothing. Do you know what was plugging the piping?

Before changing out any toilets, have a plumber install tank flappers in each toilet that will allow more water per flush. See if this makes a difference before spending money on toilets that may not have any more impact on the system than what yours have now.

The camera pushed the clog out, the plumber thought it was mostly toilet tissue and waste causing the clog. I just don't understand why there were no problems when the construction guys were there (and they DID use the toilet a lot, and used a lot of toilet tissue), and now we are having weekly clogs with folks living there.

Thank you for your input!

Julye



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Regarding the tank flappers with more water; we have dual flush (Glacier Bay), can you change the flappers on those?

Thank you,

Julye



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You can't fix bad. If your level is level or has valleys, that should/must be resolve before adding anything. Without the proper grade (underground) to the street, you will continue to have issues and clogs. Perhaps, this is why the previous owners sold.

Best Wishes