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I just moved into a new apartment and the toilet has very low pressure when it flushes. Even with nothing in toilet, sometimes all the water does is swirl around, but never goes down. When it does go down, it's very weak and often takes two or three flushes to complete the flush. I've already tried turning the water on all the way, and even more towards the off position. Doesn't work.
I realize this is a landlord issue and I'll definitely call them, but I don't want to be fed a line that there's nothing they can do if there is.
Water pressure in the kitchen and bathroom sinks is quite low, too. I'm only on the third floor of a four story building. My last apartment was on the fifth floor, in the same city, and the water pressure was amazing!
Even though you said the pressure appears low in the K&B also, that would not cause it. Proof of that would be to shut off the water valve under your toliet tank. Now flush......see.......no change.
I hate to tell you this but what you have is a very very old toilet. That is how the old ones opperated. It is quite normal. It is a waste of water using about 6 gallons per flush and sometimes more if you have to flush twice just to get everything down.
I doubt your apartment management will give you a new toilet. It would be a good idea since with all this green crap talk going around the idea is to save water. The modern toilets can use as little as 9/10ths of a gallon. Some of the 3 gallon flush are not efficient. Sure you save a couple gallons per flush but not if you have to flush twice to get everything down.
Currently it is a federal law that all new home builders must instal 3 gallons per flush toilets or better in all new construction. It's a good law. Most laws are not.
Dont let it bother you so much. Your toilet is an antiquated relic but works just fine.....just not efficient. By skimping on paper use helps a lot too.
Thank you both. I guess I should be grateful that they had the common sense to at least put a new toilet seat on it! LOL (If they hadn't, I would have!) We'll have to see what happens. The top of the tank leans back against the wall, too. I'll see if they'll replace it.
Some flush valves have two flush options. If you just push down it uses less water. If you push and hold for 3-4 seconds it will use all the water in the tank and flush harder. There are also some valves that have an adjustment on the flapper to contron force of flush. Most household toilets flush with gravity. Nothing you do with inlet pressure will help much.
To save water remember;
If it's yellow, let it mellow.
If it's brown flush it down.
Normal water pressure to residential is 90 lbs, commercial 150 lbs. If you have low pressure then it could be the main valve to the bldg from the water meter. Land lord should be able to check that it is turned all the way on or maybe he is trying to save on his water bill by turning the valve in to the shutdown position. Most houses have 1/2" pipe line which is sufficient for todays needs. Check with other tenents for similiar problems. If they are okay, then you have a clogged water line to your apt. Steve
OOOOOPS, forgot key word was that water pressure at kitchen sink was also LOW, which means to check valve at METER!!!!!!! to the building. Another thought, being an apt building there would be a separate shut off valve to each apt so that in case any repairs are needed, they can turn OFF the water to ONE apt without effecting the flow to other apts in the building. Steve
All so far are good suggestions, and perhaps are correct. OP actually stated two problems;
1) overall low water pressure
2) slow flush
The second problem is the more urgent one. This problem has little to do with water pressure. As stated before, this is caused by either the tank not filling up enough, or the waste pipe being partially clogged. A more rare cause would be an obstructed vent pipe, but that is doubtful.
How does the bathroom sink or tub drain? Has anyone given it a good plunging? You would not believe what has been found inside toilet traps....hairbrushes, cups, make up cases, etc. I had a person once have to replace an older toilet because they always threw old soap slivers down the toilet, and it made the outlet trap so narrow through the years it needed replacing.
I searched this forum because I am having a similar problem in my home. The sink & shower drains are slow too. Drains in the second bathroom are slow too (sinks but not shower, bath or toilet), and the kitchen sink is slow too. We just bought this house. Does this mean we have major plumbing issues???
It sounds like you may have galvanized pipe for your plumbing. Galvanized pipe rots out from the inside. As it decays, the metal swells up and restricts the flow through the pipes. Look as nee if you have copper or galvanized pipes. If it is galvanized, it is time for new plumbing.
If you have copper pipes, check all the valves and see if anything is partially closed. If not, then they need to replace the supply lines from the floor or wall to the fixtures.
Anything can be fixed.
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