Flushing problems: Is it the plumbing or the toilets?

[Bleb Nevus]

I have no plumbing experience, so this is a very basic question. I moved into a newly constructed condo six years ago. Over time, all three of my toilets -- American Standard 4010 -- have given me problems (intermittently, not constantly). Either they back up and have to be plunged or they seem to flush reluctantly. I'm open to researching and buying replacement toilets (or bowl only? tank only?), but I'd hate to do that if the problem turns out to be clogged or defective pipes. How do I know?

 

[Geofd]

i have 2 American standard toilets exactly identical one works fine the other flushes fine most of the time but doesn't finish the flush other times I never like these toilets but
the one that flushes fine is on the main floor so we don use the other that much I have change everything in the tank used exact replacement parts cleaned the jets and any other holes in the bowl they are older 90s toilets …….. my guess is it your toilets....in the back of the tank there are numbers either stamped in the tank or printed on itthere are 4 numbers probably the onesyou mentioned....those wil give you exact replacement parts...try that on one toilet first and see what happens....the flapper may have a yellow float...read the back of the package....you need to put the flapper a certain number of beads away from the flapper

 

[voletl]

Fill a rather large bucket with water and dump it into each of the toilets if the water goes down perfectly fine then it's the innards of your toilets that are messed up if the water backs up then you have some type of blockage

 

[Bleb Nevus]

Thanks for these replies. Wondering if anyone else who has experience with these things might weigh in...

 

[jeffmattero76]

Thanks for these replies. Wondering if anyone else who has experience with these things might weigh in...

The two guys above are plumbers, so I would guess they have seen this before. They have given you the answer on how to diagnose your problem. What else are you looking for?

 

[mike fiore]

Its unlikely but i have seen clogged vent pipe cause issues. I changed old toilet out for a customer for those same reasons thinking its an old toilet and jets are clogged. Installed new toilet and had same issues. finally checked vent from roof and found clogged with leaves or some type of nest. once i cleaned vent pipe toilet worked great. not saying thats the issue but it might be worth a look.

 

[Diehard]

You say,"Either they back up and have to be plunged or they seem to flush reluctantly."
Does this happen even when you are not flushing any solids?

 

[Jamesplumbing06]

That model number was the contractor special 10 years ago. You ever met a contractor that buys the quality stuff? Me either. I change them all the time. They have 1-3/8” throat for trap. But the new American standard champion 4. Yeah baby that dude flushes. Toto is great. Kohler has the dual siphon. But the champion 4. I could be a salesman for them. So it’s not a brand specific just a model specific.