We had an older plumber when our toilet wasn’t flushing correctly. He asked for a wire coat hanger and bent it to clean out the clogged rim jets. Worked like a charm!
I soaked some pipe cleaners (that I bought at a craft store) in vinegar and then shoved them in the front curved holes. 30 minutes and wiggled them in and out a few times. It helped clean the jets.
Great advice, I've tried everything to improve the flush strength in one of my bathrooms, but I never knew to do this, I'll give it a try, thanks so much for the suggestion.
Great video. I’m pretty positive this is what’s wrong with my toilet. My symptoms are that I have to clean it so much because the poop doesn’t really get washed of the bowl walls well at all. So all the time I have thede brown poop stains all over the bowl. The reason is because when I flush the toilet there’s not a very good coating of the walls with water. It flushes OK because there’s nothing wrong with the water going thru the flapper. I strongly suspect my rim jets are clogged. This video looks to be a great tutorial on how I can fix my toilet so I totally plan to follow your instructions and see how things go. I had to do a lot of googling until I found out that those things are even called rim jets. Once I finally learned that term I was able to search RUclips using that term and I beheld your great tutorial. My toilet is exactly like yours with the fluid master equipment.
TY so much! I have the exact same toilet. Building code in my locale forced me to replace a "conventional" flush toilet that had been working fine for 50+ years with this supposedly efficient one. Fast forward 20 years…this water-saver toilet doesn't save water any more because I have to flush it more than once. I knew something had to be clogged with mineral deposits because I have to scrub like crazy to clean under the rim…but I had no idea clearing these deposit from the jets would be so easy. Good old Allen wrench - who knew?
Briar Rose Isn't that the truth. The HE washing machines are a scam too. The old fashioned standard washing machines work much better. With the HE washing machines I sometimes have to wash my clothes 3-4 times wasting much more energy since the washers also take more than an hour to do the job!
At the 1:50 mark, interesting idea using an Allen wrench to clean out the jets. I saw on another person's video where he covered the dirty jet holes with long strips of a quality DUCT TAPE. He then poured vinegar into the flapper hole and waited a few hours before removing the tape. It cleaned the jet holes in their entirety of rust and white calcium scale. Instead of vinegar one could use citric acid and water.
Thanks so much for the "hot" tip using hot vinegar to dislodge the scale. Your method should work for my Kohler toilet, too, with some slight modifications for access to the Rim holes.
I’ve watched everything, tried everything and thrown in cussing and stomping about but nothing has worked. I believe there is a siphon jet beyond my access and ability to block further along the drain path so I was unable to stop that up and flood the top of the jets with whatever acid suited my mood at the time. Here’s what I’ll try next - I ordered an 1/8” carbide tipped concrete bit with 1/4” hex base and a 105 degree adapter to allow me to grind away at the rim blockage per hole until they relent and clearance is gained. I hope, that is. I am now used to removing all the water from the dam-med bowl and stopped bothering with the glove thing some number of methods ago. This final attempt will have to succeed or I’ll stop being so pleasant about this DIY in my eye fool’s errand. The point when I should have quit is long past so it’s me or the durn thang, once and for all, by gum. If I lose, I’ll teach that thing about cliff diving. If not, I’ll give it it’s just desserts roughly once a day.
If your toilet is lacking flush strength it’s probably the main flush inlet at the bottom of the bowl has also become restricted with deposits. Using gloves, scoop out the water with a small cup and then sponge out the rest of the water. Heat the vinegar and pour it in and let it stand for a day. Then use a wooden skewer (won’t scratch porcelain) to ream out the inlet. May take two applications. A better method with the jets is to put duct tape over them so the vinegar will soak them.
I found the allen wrench awkward anf tedious. I tried CLR applied with an old toothbrush for about toothbrush and after three days it seemed to have worked
This one is a Kohler Wellworth Lite which has a high profile tank. What I was noticing sir was that the water level in the tank is too low for this particular model and the overflow pipe was trimmed where in this case it didn't need to be. This patented Kohler Lite flushing system has smaller rim holes because the focus is more on the direct fed siphon jet. It is basically a gravity version of a pressurized model. But I think another solution would be to replace the flush valve with the new FlushALL flush valve from Keeney Mfg. It's a 3" to 2" flush valve with an adjustable overflow pipe. These valves can make them flush up to 40 times better.
All of the manufacturers make toilets with sometimes big differences. They certainly don't all flush the same and many dump only a fraction of the total water in the tank especially if the person who's flushing doesn't hold the handle for a slow three second count. The 1.6 gallon units can make a lot of trouble if the handle is not held long enough to facilitate a complete flush. Often the overflow pipe is a bit too short and the flapper valve might not stay buoyant long enough.
Don't you need to plug the siphon jet in the bottom of the toilet in order to get the vinegar to back up and stand above (and in) the rim jets? I taped my rim jets (in order to hold the vinegar) but didn't think to plug the siphon jet. After letting the warm vinegar set for awhile I removed the tape which was totally dry. On my second try, I plugged the siphon jet, put in about twice as much vinegar and noted flow from the rim jets. Dried them off, retaped the jets, added more vinegar and this time when I removed the tape, there was still liquid in the jets. Allen wrench is a good idea for cleaning, but I used a small sheet metal screw instead thinking that the threads would do a better job of scraping off any scale. Seems that the flush is stronger - but time will tell.
Anyone that's reading this. Some toilets that thing he wants you to put the vinegar in, doesn't go to the jets. It depends how they're designed. Sometimes you have to add it to the reservoir itself.
Riddle me this: what do you do if NONE of your rim jets even have a trickle coming out - indicating that the mineral blockage is "upstream" (perhaps where the channel to the rim jets breaks off from the one heading to the siphon jet)? When I pour vinegar down the tube it all just comes out of the siphon jet at the bottom, and I think it's not "sitting" on the point where the blockage is. It seems like I need to block off the siphon jet completely, but it's hard to get a good seal to "stop" it up. Any ideas?
@@YesuAiNimenThe problem is that everything (water, vinegar, CLR, or whatever) that goes down the standpipe comes out the large jet at the bottom of the bowl. Nothing comes out the rim jets.
Probably a great idea to wear gloves while reaming those rim jets with the allen wrench. Typically a toilet doesn't get cleaned as well under the rim and the bacteria counts are probably legendary. Wondering also if anyone sells a wire brush for that job ?
@@curie3938 It’s possible I have this problem with one of my toilets. There are brushes that are supplied with reusable (metal) drinking straws. I thought of trying one of those to clean my toilets jets with.
Some of the videos says it to tapes up all around the jets with duck tape before you pour that vinegar or CLR down the tube, leave the alone for a couple of hours and then come back remove the tapes do the same thing put stick in the holes and in end just flush
I took note that he instructed to use hot water (from the faucet), at about 120 degrees, versus boiling water, at over 200 degrees, with the risk of boiling water being possibly cracking the toilet porcelain.
This is a Kohler Wellworth Lite. This model is known to be very easy to clog. It should be replaced. I'd suggest Project Source Pro-Flush or Glacier Bay Powerflush. SPECIFICALLY the Powerflush. Every other model released by GB is garbage.
Need to also address slim and mold buildup in the rim. I've dumped powered swimming pool shock treatment down the overflow when flushing and allowed it to sit for a few hours. I've even plugged up each jet with plumbers putty and filled the tank and bleach down the overflow then flushed so the rim is full with bleach to soak and break down the slim and mold inside the rim water way. I've also used braided stainless cable and frayed it, shoved it up the jets and attathched it to my cordless drill. You'd be surprised how much slim there is and it will keep reclogging the jets..... Just don't use any acid when using bleach and be sure when either product is used, it's well flushed out before adding the alternative product or you'll create toxic chlorine gas.
+chrispompano I had similar problems with mold buildup under the rim and found Oxy-Clean from the laundry aisle works well. It comes in powdered form. Put some on a damp cleaning rag or sponge and scrub. My toilet brush doesn't get far enough under the rim. Oxy-Clean is a peroxide-based, better for us and the environment than chlorine bleach. I was amazed to find it whitens better than chlorine in the laundry too. Clorox used to be my go-to but I haven't used it in years. And I am a fanatic about laundry as well as toilets.
I use a small paint brush, the kind with a foam piece instead of bristles, and brush/sponge into the jets some vinegar or lime away. Clean 'em out with that allen key.
I soaked pipe cleaners that I bought at a craft store in some vinegar then shoved them in the curved holes in the front. Left for 30 minutes, then wiggled in and out and it helped loosen the gunk then I flushed.
muriaitic acid.. careful with this stuff it can blow back up in your face if it hit a clog I dumped some in a pipe and it erupted and landed on washer and ate the paint in less than 1 miniute make sure you dont look down the pipe and proptect your eyes
You had me until you started using an allen wrench lol. A Q-tip or wood skewer stick (both round) would be a lot better for cleaning the bowl jets. This isn't an auto shop class and not all toilets will have the same diameter. 3/32 lol. That's a great way to scratch up the porcelain permanently and once scratched and stained you'll never get the stains out. Bad advice dude!
If you have friends in your life who stick their heads in your toilets to scope out your rim jets looking for scratches in your porcelain…you may need new friends 😂
@@BibleBreakout if you like pissing and shitting in a scratched up rust stained toilet that’s your call. It’s just not my thing. And I can’t ever recall fixing a toilet and worrying what my friends might think. I only take care of my shit for myself and my family.
Why do you "heat" the vinegar, is the question. I used room temperature bleach and it worked fine, without scraping. I imagine that the heating speeds up the process. No practical way to heat bleach without contaminating a bowl but you can use heated vinegar.
I know this is a year later, but your siphon jet hole is probably blocked up with mineral deposits. That's the tiny hole in the front of the the toilet base that is always covered by the water level. Put a thin glove on your hand & stick your finger in that hole... it should feel wide open. If it's crusty or blocked, take a long screw & poke/ream out the mineral deposits, then try to flush again. Hope you haven't already replaced your toilet. Good luck! [5.29.2022]
We had an older plumber when our toilet wasn’t flushing correctly. He asked for a wire coat hanger and bent it to clean out the clogged rim jets. Worked like a charm!
That Allen wrench idea is genius.
I soaked some pipe cleaners (that I bought at a craft store) in vinegar and then shoved them in the front curved holes. 30 minutes and wiggled them in and out a few times. It helped clean the jets.
I, also, thought of using pipe cleaners to clean those holes after pouring hot, white vinegar into the standpipe.
Great advice, I've tried everything to improve the flush strength in one of my bathrooms, but I never knew to do this, I'll give it a try, thanks so much for the suggestion.
@Johnny Sins It helped, thanks!
Great video. I’m pretty positive this is what’s wrong with my toilet. My symptoms are that I have to clean it so much because the poop doesn’t really get washed of the bowl walls well at all. So all the time I have thede brown poop stains all over the bowl.
The reason is because when I flush the toilet there’s not a very good coating of the walls with water. It flushes OK because there’s nothing wrong with the water going thru the flapper. I strongly suspect my rim jets are clogged.
This video looks to be a great tutorial on how I can fix my toilet so I totally plan to follow your instructions and see how things go.
I had to do a lot of googling until I found out that those things are even called rim jets. Once I finally learned that term I was able to search RUclips using that term and I beheld your great tutorial.
My toilet is exactly like yours with the fluid master equipment.
Actually works! I didn't even need to use a wrench to scrape it. Thank you, Vinegar Man!
MANY THANKS!---You saved my life. And thank God for Vinegar. Bruce
TY so much! I have the exact same toilet. Building code in my locale forced me to replace a "conventional" flush toilet that had been working fine for 50+ years with this supposedly efficient one. Fast forward 20 years…this water-saver toilet doesn't save water any more because I have to flush it more than once. I knew something had to be clogged with mineral deposits because I have to scrub like crazy to clean under the rim…but I had no idea clearing these deposit from the jets would be so easy. Good old Allen wrench - who knew?
Briar Rose Isn't that the truth. The HE washing machines are a scam too. The old fashioned standard washing machines work much better. With the HE washing machines I sometimes have to wash my clothes 3-4 times wasting much more energy since the washers also take more than an hour to do the job!
@@autumnspring6624
I know; I miss my Maytag
Good ol' government
At the 1:50 mark, interesting idea using an Allen wrench to clean out the jets. I saw on another person's video where he covered the dirty jet holes with long strips of a quality DUCT TAPE. He then poured vinegar into the flapper hole and waited a few hours before removing the tape. It cleaned the jet holes in their entirety of rust and white calcium scale. Instead of vinegar one could use citric acid and water.
Not easier, more people have duct tape than aquarium pump
Muriatic acid much better!
Thanks so much for the "hot" tip using hot vinegar to dislodge the scale. Your method should work for my Kohler toilet, too, with some slight modifications for access to the Rim holes.
Make sure you clean the jets with the allen wrench with bare hands - do NOT wear rubber gloves - and then go make breakfast for the entire family.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Mmmm 🚽 🍳 ☕️
and, you used your toothbrush to clean out the jets
@@mnmurph What's a toothbrush?
This is my kind of comments section right here
I’ve watched everything, tried everything and thrown in cussing and stomping about but nothing has worked. I believe there is a siphon jet beyond my access and ability to block further along the drain path so I was unable to stop that up and flood the top of the jets with whatever acid suited my mood at the time. Here’s what I’ll try next - I ordered an 1/8” carbide tipped concrete bit with 1/4” hex base and a 105 degree adapter to allow me to grind away at the rim blockage per hole until they relent and clearance is gained. I hope, that is. I am now used to removing all the water from the dam-med bowl and stopped bothering with the glove thing some number of methods ago. This final attempt will have to succeed or I’ll stop being so pleasant about this DIY in my eye fool’s errand. The point when I should have quit is long past so it’s me or the durn thang, once and for all, by gum. If I lose, I’ll teach that thing about cliff diving. If not, I’ll give it it’s just desserts roughly once a day.
I do this, but I add dish soap to thicken the mixture.
this video makes more sense that any of them so far and I have watched alot of them....thanks...
Just about to buy a new toilet. Thanx bro!
The water that enters the overflow, comes out random holes closest to the tank. All the rest, obviously accommodate the flush action.
Thank you!!!! just used your method,now the toliet is working fine!!
A denture brush would work really well too
If your toilet is lacking flush strength it’s probably the main flush inlet at the bottom of the bowl has also become restricted with deposits. Using gloves, scoop out the water with a small cup and then sponge out the rest of the water. Heat the vinegar and pour it in and let it stand for a day. Then use a wooden skewer (won’t scratch porcelain) to ream out the inlet. May take two applications. A better method with the jets is to put duct tape over them so the vinegar will soak them.
Thank you! This has been a problem for a while, but no more!
When the running starts out slowly and increases over time, the rim jets are clogged
I found the allen wrench awkward anf tedious.
I tried CLR applied with an old toothbrush for about toothbrush and after three days it seemed to have worked
Thanks! Left and right side rim jet holes are totally plugged...
This one is a Kohler Wellworth Lite which has a high profile tank. What I was noticing sir was that the water level in the tank is too low for this particular model and the overflow pipe was trimmed where in this case it didn't need to be. This patented Kohler Lite flushing system has smaller rim holes because the focus is more on the direct fed siphon jet. It is basically a gravity version of a pressurized model. But I think another solution would be to replace the flush valve with the new FlushALL flush valve from Keeney Mfg. It's a 3" to 2" flush valve with an adjustable overflow pipe. These valves can make them flush up to 40 times better.
All of the manufacturers make toilets with sometimes big differences. They certainly don't all flush the same and many dump only a fraction of the total water in the tank especially if the person who's flushing doesn't hold the handle for a slow three second count. The 1.6 gallon units can make a lot of trouble if the handle is not held long enough to facilitate a complete flush. Often the overflow pipe is a bit too short and the flapper valve might not stay buoyant long enough.
Don't you need to plug the siphon jet in the bottom of the toilet in order to get the vinegar to back up and stand above (and in) the rim jets? I taped my rim jets (in order to hold the vinegar) but didn't think to plug the siphon jet. After letting the warm vinegar set for awhile I removed the tape which was totally dry. On my second try, I plugged the siphon jet, put in about twice as much vinegar and noted flow from the rim jets. Dried them off, retaped the jets, added more vinegar and this time when I removed the tape, there was still liquid in the jets. Allen wrench is a good idea for cleaning, but I used a small sheet metal screw instead thinking that the threads would do a better job of scraping off any scale. Seems that the flush is stronger - but time will tell.
Metal on porcelain never a good idea!
Why not show how it flushes before and after you cleaned the jets on this toilet?
Anyone that's reading this. Some toilets that thing he wants you to put the vinegar in, doesn't go to the jets. It depends how they're designed. Sometimes you have to add it to the reservoir itself.
Riddle me this: what do you do if NONE of your rim jets even have a trickle coming out - indicating that the mineral blockage is "upstream" (perhaps where the channel to the rim jets breaks off from the one heading to the siphon jet)? When I pour vinegar down the tube it all just comes out of the siphon jet at the bottom, and I think it's not "sitting" on the point where the blockage is. It seems like I need to block off the siphon jet completely, but it's hard to get a good seal to "stop" it up. Any ideas?
Have you tried dumping CLR down the overflow?
@@YesuAiNimenThe problem is that everything (water, vinegar, CLR, or whatever) that goes down the standpipe comes out the large jet at the bottom of the bowl. Nothing comes out the rim jets.
A new toilet is less than $200 and they're not very difficult to install.
If treated water is doing this too our toilets. What’s it doing (calcium deposits) to the inside of us!
The stinking fluoride they force into every water treatment plant leaves tons of pink residue in sinks, tubs, and toilets. STOP THIS CRAP!
You see.... I just love that lango ❤ and thanks for the video
I use a 1/8 inch plastic rod so I don't scratch the porcelain.
Thank you for the great video! Worked like a charm!
Thank you, I followed you instructions and it works.
You are a genius , thanks!
could you use lysol lime and rust remover toilet cleaner?
Probably a great idea to wear gloves while reaming those rim jets with the allen wrench. Typically a toilet doesn't get cleaned as well under the rim and the bacteria counts are probably legendary. Wondering also if anyone sells a wire brush for that job ?
I've been looking for a brush that would work and cannot find one.
@@curie3938
It’s possible I have this problem with one of my toilets. There are brushes that are supplied with reusable (metal) drinking straws.
I thought of trying one of those to clean my toilets jets with.
@@PyjamaKing I stumbled on the same idea! After letting it soak the rim with some vinegar it worked fairly well.
@@curie3938
Thanks for letting me know. I’ve not tried it yet, my first chore for 2024!😏
Happy New Year!💥
@@PyjamaKingone other vid showed how to put duct tape under the rim after you empty the tank of water,
What if I pour in some CLR in the tube? Think that might work?
Did you?
Should work as well.
make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses with clr
This is why I go number 1 and 2 outside.
U fixed my toilet plumber wanted buy new one 680.00
get another plumber
This is what capitalism creates opportunistic people. Now we just have bidenomics
Thank u.driving me nuts
Excellent job. Thank you.
Some of the videos says it to tapes up all around the jets with duck tape before you pour that vinegar or CLR down the tube, leave the alone for a couple of hours and then come back remove the tapes do the same thing put stick in the holes and in end just
flush
Did you know a sudden change in temperature to porcelain (your toilet) by adding heat (hot vinegar) could cause your porcelain to crack or shatter?
This is an American video so he's talking 120°f not c
48°c
@@CreativelyChristoph-wg7wngood luck trying to heat water to 120°C
I took note that he instructed to use hot water (from the faucet), at about 120 degrees, versus boiling water, at over 200 degrees, with the risk of boiling water being possibly cracking the toilet porcelain.
1:10 Pain in the _arse_ Come on man! Missed opportunities abound in this video.
Just the info I needed today...Thanks!
Man, this video just ends.
So true. I need closure...
🤣🤣🤣🤣👌👌👌👌
This is a Kohler Wellworth Lite. This model is known to be very easy to clog. It should be replaced. I'd suggest Project Source Pro-Flush or Glacier Bay Powerflush. SPECIFICALLY the Powerflush. Every other model released by GB is garbage.
don't reuse that dental mirror
LOL - I did not have to be told that! ;-D
Why? Pee and poop are WATER SOLUABLE. Not one human has EVER died from touching a toilet rim jet.
Og & was those hands lol.
@@jimdavidson5208Always a negator somewhere, lol.
It's fine to reuse just clean 🪥 it😅🎉
Will the $1 Store vinegar which contains no vinegar (water, acetic acid, alcohol ethoxylate, butyl carbitol, citrus oil) work as well?
Sounds like it will
Sorry, but vinegar is just dilute acetic acid.
I only have Balsamic Vinegar, not White Vinegar. Will this still work just fine?
No. Use white vinegar…
Great method!
please help! what if i dont have an overflow pipe? i have a sloan flushmate 504...
I use zip ties in the jet ports
Excellent!!
Need to also address slim and mold buildup in the rim. I've dumped powered swimming pool shock treatment down the overflow when flushing and allowed it to sit for a few hours. I've even plugged up each jet with plumbers putty and filled the tank and bleach down the overflow then flushed so the rim is full with bleach to soak and break down the slim and mold inside the rim water way.
I've also used braided stainless cable and frayed it, shoved it up the jets and attathched it to my cordless drill. You'd be surprised how much slim there is and it will keep reclogging the jets..... Just don't use any acid when using bleach and be sure when either product is used, it's well flushed out before adding the alternative product or you'll create toxic chlorine gas.
+chrispompano I had similar problems with mold buildup under the rim and found Oxy-Clean from the laundry aisle works well. It comes in powdered form. Put some on a damp cleaning rag or sponge and scrub. My toilet brush doesn't get far enough under the rim. Oxy-Clean is a peroxide-based, better for us and the environment than chlorine bleach. I was amazed to find it whitens better than chlorine in the laundry too. Clorox used to be my go-to but I haven't used it in years. And I am a fanatic about laundry as well as toilets.
I use a small paint brush, the kind with a foam piece instead of bristles, and brush/sponge into the jets some vinegar or lime away. Clean 'em out with that allen key.
I soaked pipe cleaners that I bought at a craft store in some vinegar then shoved them in the curved holes in the front. Left for 30 minutes, then wiggled in and out and it helped loosen the gunk then I flushed.
Thank you so much your the best !!!!
Thank you
I’ll just buy a new toilet lol great video
Used to live next to the....rim jets....
Ah hot vinegar 1 hour
muriaitic acid...let it sit overnight. make sure its the diluted stuff.. NOT 100%
muriaitic acid.. careful with this stuff it can blow back up in your face if it hit a clog I dumped some in a pipe and it erupted and landed on washer and ate the paint in less than 1 miniute make sure you dont look down the pipe and proptect your eyes
Nice job Korky.
Careful how you store leftover muriatic acid. Left in its original bottle and tightly capped, it still emits fumes and it rusted steel nearby.
Smell something say something!
Vice grips and a nail work a lot better tbh
My time has come...
TQ..
You had me until you started using an allen wrench lol. A Q-tip or wood skewer stick (both round) would be a lot better for cleaning the bowl jets. This isn't an auto shop class and not all toilets will have the same diameter. 3/32 lol. That's a great way to scratch up the porcelain permanently and once scratched and stained you'll never get the stains out. Bad advice dude!
If you have friends in your life who stick their heads in your toilets to scope out your rim jets looking for scratches in your porcelain…you may need new friends 😂
@@BibleBreakout if you like pissing and shitting in a scratched up rust stained toilet that’s your call. It’s just not my thing. And I can’t ever recall fixing a toilet and worrying what my friends might think. I only take care of my shit for myself and my family.
@@BibleBreakoutmust have some weird friends 😂
Yeah use a Q-tip so the cotton falls off and gets stuck inside the jet.
why do you hear the vinegar?
Why do we hear vinegar? Because the vinegar produces harmonic vibrations that can be detected by the human ear.
🤣🤣🤣
Why do you "heat" the vinegar, is the question. I used room temperature bleach and it worked fine, without scraping. I imagine that the heating speeds up the process. No practical way to heat bleach without contaminating a bowl but you can use heated vinegar.
not in the uk
Didn't work.
I know this is a year later, but your siphon jet hole is probably blocked up with mineral deposits. That's the tiny hole in the front of the the toilet base that is always covered by the water level. Put a thin glove on your hand & stick your finger in that hole... it should feel wide open. If it's crusty or blocked, take a long screw & poke/ream out the mineral deposits, then try to flush again. Hope you haven't already replaced your toilet. Good luck!
[5.29.2022]
11 minutes to get to the point
"11 minutes" on a two minute and 14 second video? You're an azz.
This is NOT the first time I see people work on toilets WITHOUT gloves... WTF is wrong with you people???
That's disgusting. I'd rather buy a new toilet.
childish
Must me an ignorant child to think it's disgusting
I eat my own feces.
What wine goes best with feces?
Freaking child