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There are so many things wrong with my toilets!

In the unused bathroom downstairs, the bowl goes dry in a week or two. I have to manually carry water to it and pour it into the bowl. I don't like to flush that one because the tank takes forever, up to an hour, to refill and bubbles a lot. I checked the shut-off valve and it's open all the way. This one had a ball-**** vale assembly.

The one I use all the time upstairs has a float cup valve: 1) I have to hold the handle down or it doesn't flush all the way (i.e the tank only partially empties). 2) I have to push down on the lever of the float cup so the tank can refill. 3) I have to manually lift the same lever to stop the refilling process, or it just keeps running. 4) Even when I stop the refill well below the overflow, the water level will gradually rise to the edge of the overflow. 5) I almost always have to plunge the bowl for it to flush properly.

What could be the problems with these toilets?

BTW - here's a photo of the upstairs toilet innards.

The upstairs tank has an unusual flusher mechanism. Yes, I have seen it before, but it is still odd. I'd replace it with a FluidMaster. Looks like you will have to replace the overflow tube as well.

The other one that goes dry is not a situation I have seen before. It may be a vent problem, although I have never come across a vent problem in all my plumbing work (in SoCA). You could try replacing the flusher mechanism (with a FluidMaster) before paying for a plumber.

bob is probably right about the vent problem. try standing next to the toilet (while full of water) and run water down other drains - especially the other toilet. if the water in the downstairs toilet moves or "gurgles" you more than likely have a vent problem. the water rushing out of the house is creating a vacuum behind it and without air behind the water, the vacuum will draw through the rest of the pipes, acting on the water in the toilet. you can either have a "real" vent installed or find a place in the line to insall an air admittace valve. this is legal if you already have a main vent in your house (at least it is in PA) it may be quite difficult and expensive to run a new vent through your roof, but it is very inexpensive and quick to install an air admmittace.

good luck

bill z