Odd toilet issue..

[mattl]

Got an odd problem that I have not come across before.  I one of my bathrooms the entire bowl below the waterline will quickly - in 2 or 3 days - get a black film coating the entire bowl.  It's very flakey and comes off easily.  I scrubbed the bowl with Bar Keeper's Friend, Comet and even used regular bowl cleaner, but it quickly come back.  My other 3 toilets do not have this issue.  I'm at a loss on how to remedy it.  I use this toilet several times a day btw.

 

Thoughts?

 

[ea56]

I would check inside the toilet tank. It may be some of the parts inside the tank are deteriorating and causing the film to form. It sounds like you may have some old black rubber component that could be causing this to happen. If its not happening to you other toilets it has to be something in the tank.
Eddie

 

[gusherb]

I've never had a problem like that before, but common sense would dictate me to start looking in the tank, look at the flapper, it could be disintegrating, something common if bleach tablets have ever been used. Not really sure what else could be the issue since it would be showing up in the other toilets if it were in the water supply.

Edit: looks like you beat me to the punch, Eddie!

 

[rp2813]

I second what Eddie said.  If the flapper or ball inside the tank is black and is disintegrating, you'll barely have to touch it to end up with black residue on your fingers.  Replacing it would be the first -- and cheapest -- angle of attack I'd use.

 

If you can find a flapper (if there's currently a ball, I'd take this opportunity to upgrade to a flapper) that has an integrated sawtooth strip to connect to the flush lever, I recommend that design over those that use a chain, which can often get hung up on itself and keep the flapper from properly seating after a flush.

 

[yogitunes]

personally prefer this type of flush valve.....

one of the few that allow you to stop a flush in the case of an overflow....

Loading…

www.lowes.com

 

[circlew]

I've been having a problem like that with a toilet, too. I think it's mold.

 

[mattl]

I replaced the flapper a few months ago, No ball, Fluidmaster Valve.  Thing is there is not much in the tank to do this, That is what I'd suspect too, but what?

 

Part of the problem is that I have a banjo countertop over the toilet, Only have 2" between the tank and the top so hard to get in.  Someone suggested it might be the gasket between the tank and the bowl, but I think that is a long shot.  Really weird.

 

[wayupnorth]

I have one of those 1995 1.6 toilets. Doesn't flush worth crap and never really did, literally, Looks similar to any Elger but has an inverted bleach or windshield plastic bottle one gallon jug fitted so just that amount flushes. That worked then for the feds and way the most energy efficient. I am getting a new toilet once it gets to warmer weather and can get one here. Tired of this crap, literally. I just want to flush and never see anything period.

 

[gusherb]

Find a vintage 1950s-70s toilet! My 1967 American Standard 5 gallon per flush water hog has more than earned its keep, especially after a stomach flu I had not long ago. I only have to clean it once a month, the low flow Toto needed to be cleaned at least once a week and even then that wasn't enough.

 

[wayupnorth]

I would love to have one of them full flow toilets, but I am on a septic pump up system, less water the longer the pump lasts. I can take the gray water outside in an emergency, as nothing has phosphorous any more for washing, etc. But its ok to have a fully fertilized lawn to the lake with phosphorous fertilizer running in after a big rain but I would still be stuck with a 5 gallon bucket to do what I had to do until I could have the septic guys here.

 

[dustin92]

We have the exact same issue, upstairs toilet is fine, downstairs one gets black/gray staining below the water line- it's a full flush toilet. The only thing I've found to remove it is an overnight soak with bleach. It doesn't seem as bad when the toilet isn't frequently used. It's so weird though, the upstairs one never gets the gray stains, just the typical hard water orange staining.

 

[gusherb]

Well if a low flow is what you must have, then I would look at something with Totos Double Cyclone flush, like the Drake II. A good budget model would be the Entrada (no double cyclone). Stay away from American Standard if you can help it.

 

[mattl]

The problematic toilet is a good old American Standard in sunny yellow from 1965.  So, no low flush there.  I do have a Toto in the bath next to it and it works perfectly, even if it is a low flush unit.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The reason the 1.5 gallon flush toilets worked for the feds is that they are so full of shit that very little comes out.

I keep a spray bottle of water and liquid laundry detergent in it under my sink. Before I use the toilet for #2, I spray down the bowl with the detergent solution then add a little liquid chlorine bleach. The detergent keeps anything from sticking to the bowl (you never can tell when there will be an assplosion) and the chlorine bleach makes it smell like laundry instead of a bathroom function. Since I have been doing this, the bowl rarely needs cleaning. I read that one of the new computerized toilets senses someone approaching and wets down the sides of the bowl to facilitate complete flushing.

 

[washman]

Used to be

one could travel to Canada to get a 3.5 gallon duke destroyer.

Got one for mom and dad back in 2002 @ Windsor Plumbing supply.

When I know it will be a Nimitz class attack boat, I use dad's American Standard 3.5.

When it is a pocket battleship, I use the main Eljer 1.6. Same thing when I am filtering some Stella Belgian for the second time.

 

[Brandon]

"I have one of those 1995 1.6 toilets. Doesn't flush worth crap"

Did more than my fair share of research into this than I cared too. After moving into our new home back in 2008 the downstairs one would constantly plug up. Who would they call to unpkug it? Yeah, thus my motivation to end the home plumber.

What I found it's extremely important to pay attention to the curves of the side of the toilet. Avoid ones with multiple bends. Instead look for one that's a smooth singular curve with no "pinches". I installed a 1.6 gallon American standard with one continuous curve in 2010 and haven't had an issue since. Period. Happy homeowner that is NOT a plumber anymore.

First pic: Avoid
Second pic: Excellent flow.

 

[wayupnorth]

Second photo looks just like my Eliger or whatever name it was called as I scoured the name off trying to keep it presentable, like Nana had taught me. I have a plunger next to it in case if the level rises way up, I get pissed off and slam the plunger down and then it works ok for a week or so and then you do it all over again.

 

[askolover]

American Standard

Champion!!!!  I have that same toilet and have thrown the plunger away!  My old one-piece Am Stand Euro styled toilet was pretty but had to be plunged regularly, even flushing a cat's function would clog it.  Love the champion.  But...it also will get not black but pink stains in the bowl.  And it's supposed to have an antibacterial treatment built into it.  Oh well, I bit the bullet and just stuck a bleach tab in it.  The flapper is plastic and has a replaceable silicone seal. If the tank bolt washers rot, I'll just replace them too.  No more pink stuff in the bowl though.

 

[mjg0619]

Another good low flow option is the Kohler Cimarron. I have the 1.28 GPF version in my main bathroom. I have yet to clog it in almost a year, it seldom leaves yibbles behind, and it is really a very sleek design for a pot.