How to Clean a Toilet Siphon Jet?

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A siphon jet is the powerhouse of your toilet, but it forms clogs over time due to debris and mineral deposits. Whenever you throw something in the bowl, it adds to the clog and slows down the water flow in your toilet.

If you don’t pay attention to it, clogs will eventually block the jet’s pathway and leave you with poop stuck to the toilet. Something tells us that you’re reading this article because the jet is already clogged, so it’s time for you to do the dirty work!

So, how do you clean the toilet siphon jet? It’s a simple process that you can complete in nine steps. We will show you how to make it work.

What is a Toilet Siphon Jet?

A toilet siphon jet is a vacuum valve in the water closet. Its purpose is to release the pressure from the tank’s bowl after flushing. When fresh water from the supply pipe enters the bowl, siphon jets funnel it away down an S-shaped pipe.

It is essential to distinguish between two types of toilet jets.

  • Rim jets cover the toilet bowl rim. Multiple jets flush water down the toilet bowl.
  • Siphon jets represent a single hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl. It points directly to the trapway and leads water and waste through the toilet’s outline.

Although different, you will probably clear all jets simultaneously. That’s much easier than repeating the same process after a while.

A Step-by-Step Jet Cleaning Guide

Cleaning toilet jets is not hard, but you must follow our step-by-step guide. It is necessary because you don’t want to make a mess or break something when unclogging the drain.

Step 1: Close The Water Supply Valve

You must close the valve that supplies water to the bowl before anything else. That’s the easy part since you only need to turn the knob clockwise. The shut-off valve is almost always behind the toilet or somewhere in its closest proximity. 

Closing it, you will shut off the water supply and stop water from flowing into the toilet tank.

Step 2: Drain Water From The Toilet

You should also extract all the water from the bowl before you begin cleaning the jets.

First of all, flush the toilet to empty the tank. Open the toilet tank lid and use a dry towel to pick up the remaining droplets from the toilet tank.

Secondly, take a sponge to remove water that’s still floating in the toilet bowl. It will ensure that nothing slips while you are working on the toilet. You can also put a towel under the toilet to pick excess water.

If you are not in a hurry, you can let the bowl dry by itself. It only takes an hour or even less if you turn on the bathroom exhaust fan. The bowl needs to be completely dry because you are soon to cover it with duct tape.

Step 3: Conduct Toilet Jet Audit

Now you need to inspect the jets to see how dirty and clogged they are. It will tell you which cleaning solution to use afterward. We prefer an old-fashioned combination of vinegar and baking soda, but you may need a different cleaner if bacteria in the siphon jet caused the blockage. 

Use a flashlight and a mirror to peer into the bowl and examine each hole. If you notice that the clogs are dark or orange, bacteria are to blame for it and you’ll need to use a strong cleaning product. 

Step 4: Use Duct Tape to Seal The Jets

Now that you know the position and the condition of each hole, you can cover them with wide pieces of duct tape. Most tapes are waterproof, but we prefer Painter’s Tape because it’s super strong and durable.

Cover the jet completely and do the same with every hole on the toilet rim. There must be no cracks because the cleaner needs to stay in the jets for a while. Apply multiple layers of duct tape for extra protection.

Step 5: Pour Vinegar And Soda in The Toilet Tank

Before moving on to the jets, we recommend pouring a mix of white vinegar and baking soda into the tank. Let the solution sit there for at least an hour to clear mineral deposits from the tank and its components.

It’s not your primary goal, but the tank should be clean as well. After all, you don’t want it to add more debris and mineral deposits to the jets after flushing.

Step 6: Fill The Jets With Vinegar And Soda

Now is the time to fill the siphon exit and all the rim jets with vinegar and soda. Find a black overflow tube in the tank and pour the solution into it. The overflow tube leads water directly to the siphon jet and other holes in the toilet bowl.

The ideal proportion for the solution is one-third of baking soda and two-thirds vinegar. That combination is safe and strong enough to dissolve any dirt, grime, or mineral deposits on the jets.

The mix should stay in the jets for at least an hour.

If you don’t think this solution will work with bacteria-induced clogs, you might try a commercial cleaner such as Rid-X. It’s a powerful formula that breaks down sturdy stains, dirt, and clogs. It’s easy to use — put one pouch in the toilet tank and pour water to fill the jets. 

Step 7: Remove Duct Tape And Clean Debris

Your next task is to remove the duct tape. Duct tape tracks should come off easily, but you can use a thin metal wire or a flathead screwdriver to deal with any stubborn spots.

We advise you to wear rubber gloves from this point on. Even though it’s not toxic, you don’t want the solution to touch your skin or clothes. Besides that, you will clean the toilet bowl right away and you probably want some hand cover.

Use a toilet brush to scrub and rinse the dirt from the siphon jet and the toilet rim jets. If necessary, you can use a firmer metal brush or a piece of wire to clean stubborn stains and debris.

Step 8: Open The Fill Valve And Flush The Toilet

Your siphon jet and rim jets should be clean and ready to use by this point. But to flush the toilet and remove cracked clogs and debris, you need to open the shut-off valve.

Open the water supply lines by turning the knob counterclockwise. It will restart the toilet flush system. After that, flush the toilet several times.

Step 9: Scrub The Jets Again With the Toilet Brush  

To make the siphon jet perfectly clean, you can once again scrub it with the toilet brush. Do the same thing with the toilet rim jets.

This step is not mandatory, but it does give you additional safety because you’ll know that the jets are clear. When you do all that, the siphon exit and the rim jets should work normally.

Why Do Toilet Jets Clog?

If you are learning how to clean toilet siphon jet, you probably want to know what clogs it in the first place. Multiple causes make the siphon outlet block, and the same reasons apply to the rim jets.

Minerals and other small particles can build up on the jet, blocking or partially obstructing water flow. Jet clogs may also develop from rust and dirt in the water flowing through the toilet lines. 

Some siphon jets and rim holes get stuck because homeowners don’t clean the toilet too often. After a while, the jets close due to the accumulated deposits and residual waste.

The Bottom Line

The only way to avoid jet clogs is regular cleaning.

If you fail to do it, you will need to follow our instructions and clean the siphon exit along with the rim jets. Don’t forget to wear gloves because they will protect you from dirt and debris.

Perhaps it sounds like a complicated process, but we know you can handle it. Do it now and come back for more bathroom remodeling guidelines

Bomisch will help you make the bathroom a more comfortable place!

FAQ

How can I know if my siphon jet is blocked?

It’s easy to spot clogged toilet siphon jets because the toilet doesn’t flush properly. At the same time, the water exits the siphon hole too slowly, and it can’t push the waste.

Will vinegar clean toilet jets?

Yes, the combination of vinegar and baking soda will clean toilet jets in most cases. It can successfully dissolve dirt, grease, grime, and mineral deposits. The mix includes one-third of baking soda and two-thirds of vinegar.

What is siphon flushing?

Siphon flushing is a water-efficient method to flush the toilet. It occurs when the siphon hole sucks in enough water to take care of waste and mineral residues. After that, it releases clean water back into the bowl.

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