Need help, suggestions, repeat clogging after toilet

[neurorad]

Wasn't sure if this was best for toilet or main forum but here goes.

New house built in 2020. Uses septic treatment plant, American Standard toilets throughout, I think the Champion but will have to double check.

We have a repeat clogging issue in one bathroom. This isn't clogging in the toilet itself, but just downstream. I know, because it always involves the adjacent sink, and these two lines merge a few feet from the toilet.

I've personally watched a camera being run through the lines and there is no pipe defect, odd turn, step, or anything else visible that is an obvious issue in the location. I do wonder if there is a section of drain that doesn't have a proper slope that isn't easily visualized by camera. We never use wipes or flush anything inappropriate (this is in master bath, we have pretty good control of that toilet). We've avoided Charmin paper as I've heard that can be more problematic.

This only clogs once or twice a year, not like it's super frequent, but it's a real pain when it does. I've learned not to try plunging as the involved sink seems to defeat the effort, and on occasion I e onlyanaged to move the clog downstream a little, involving another sink, toilet, tub... just compounding the problem.

This usually clears with repeated doses of hot water and time, but not always. If there is something I can do short of digging through marble flooring and slab to improve things I'm all ears!

I had wondered if the issue is the low gal toilets being sold now and a badly sloped drain letting things settle after not moving far enough downstream? I have wondered about the power flush toilets. I know they are generally frowned on here for general use, but might it help in this situation? Can I force an increase to the water used on current toilet... if that's really even the issue? Any other thoughts?

 

[Breplum]

I suspect an imperfect slope where lax workmanship prior to pouring the slab.
Double flushing routinely won't hurt.
Certainly changing to a power flush from any major mfr is worth a try.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Chucky_ott]

Since you mention it involves both the toilet and the sink, could it be hair going down the sink drain at accumulating at the junction (a wye I presume) over time? My wife and daughters tend to put shedding hair down the sink and after a while, there's a big hair ball that clogs the drain. It's usually at the p-trap though. The only fix I've found was to leave the stinky hair ball on the vanity for them to see, smell, and dispose of. I had the same problem with a shower.

 

[Reach4]

When things get slow, try taking a 5 gallon bucket with water. Pour the water into the bowl from as high as you can, and as fast as you dare. See if the deluge moves things along.

 

[neurorad]

We have his/hers toilets and sinks in the master. This is my sink, and her toilet. You'd think of any toilet was going to be prone to giving us grief it would be mine! She's already a habitual double flusher (or triple, a little OCD about the courtesy flush thing). And the sink is mine. I really don't have much hair left to get clogged... I wish!

It really doesn't make sense. I've made them show me the camera once. We just can't see anything physical wrong with the pipes. Every time they've had to come out the story is the same, no rag or anything to be found (I've tried to blame it on the house cleaner before), always just waste and paper.

Is there a way to modify normal toilets to use more water? I guess I could try buying a power flush toilet.

 

[neurorad]

I had responded but it's awaiting moderator approval. I'd repeat but not sure what triggered that so I'll wait.

 

[Reach4]

Is there a way to modify normal toilets to use more water?

Yes. Depending on the toilet, but if the toilet uses a flapper, they have replacement flappers that can be adjusted to control how much water gets used in a flush.

I think there is more than one version of AS Champion. I am not sure that any take an adjustable flapper.

 

[John Gayewski]

If you can replace the flush valve in your toilet and raise the overflow tube. Then raise the fill valve and float your tank will hold more water and ultimately flush more water. The flapper changed will help too.

 

[neurorad]

Thanks guys. I'll look into a valve change first and see if I can figure out how to increase water volume before looking to replace the toilet completely. I think it's a champion 4 but didn't find the original emails from building, I'll see if I can find that on the toilet.