Toilet Repair Is More Complex Than It Looks
While your home’s toilets are comparatively simple fixtures, even tiny problems may demand the specific tools and professional repair experience our certified plumbers have. They can diagnose problems and perform repairs quickly and safely. Whether you’re dealing with clogs, bad water pressure, or something else, the professional help of the Experts is just what you need.
Here are a few of the most common problems you may face with your home’s toilets.
Top Five Common Toilet Issues We See
Most toilets have two primary components: the bowl and the upper tank. Damage to the toilet bowl will sometimes crack the porcelain, producing a leak. If the cause of the leak is from the upper tank, it’s generally because one of the several important valves it houses, like the flush valve and fill valve, is faulty.
1. Toilet Constantly Running
A constantly running toilet wastes a lot of water. A professional plumber will first shut off the water supply line. This is done by sealing the water supply valve, which is located at the base of the toilet.
Constant running water is frequently a sign of a broken fill valve. This component ensures the water level refills to appropriate levels after every flush. If it becomes damaged, water will slowly fill the upper tank.
But the source of your problem could also be a damaged flush valve. This valve transfers stored water from the tank into the toilet bowl after you flush. When it breaks or cracks, water can constantly flow into the toilet bowl. Until it’s replaced, you’re wasting a lot of water. An experienced plumber can seamlessly replace broken flush valves with a new replacement.
2. Toilet Won’t Flush
Is nothing happening when you flush the toilet? A quality plumber will check the flush handle, also called a flapper. It can separate from the rest of the upper tank system, keeping the flush mechanism from working like it’s supposed to.
Fixing the problem is sometimes as easy as reattaching the chain that connects the handle to the fill valve system. If the chain is still attached, the plumber will instead check on the nuts mounted within the tank. These might shake loose and will have to be refastened.
While this is sometimes something you can do on your own, a professional is often needed if these steps aren’t working. They know how to handle more complicated tasks like replacing the flapper.
3. Toilet Plumbing Is Leaking
Leaks are one of the most common problems that damage your plumbing. There are several places your toilet can leak, but some of the most easy to see spots include water supply lines and near the base of the toilet. Your plumber will still look for leaks in the upper tank since they’re not as immediately recognizeable. Dripping sounds coming from the upper tank are sometimes strong evidence there’s a leak.
If the base of the toilet is leaking, the plumber will check the wax ring sealing the base of the toilet against the bathroom floor. If this wears down, water can pool around the base of your toilet. This could also happen when the toilet flange is damaged. The toilet flange sits under the base of the toilet, connecting the flush system to your home’s plumbing.
4. Malfunctioning Fill Valve or Refill System
If the fill valve doesn’t seem to be damaged, the actual problem may be debris deeper within the water system. Some cleaners can unclog this debris, breaking it apart and forcing it through the rest of your plumbing. When this doesn’t fix the issue, professional equipment is generally required.
5. Toilet Is Clogged
A clogged toilet is a very common plumbing problem you could encounter. A typical plunger can resolve the clog, creating enough pressure to clear it from your plumbing. Out of the many issues your toilet can experience, a clog is the one you can most likely resolve on your own.
But larger clogs should be handled with caution. Otherwise, wastewater can spill out of the bowl and spill onto your bathroom floor. Many experienced plumbers have specialized drain snake tools, also known as closet or toilet augers.
We Can Tell You When Replacing a Toilet Is the Best Choice
For particularly severe damage, replacing a toilet is usually more cost-effective. We perform new toilet installation carefully to avoid leaks or other problems somewhere else in your home’s plumbing, relying on a specific order designed to ensure secure connections.
- Remove the old toilet: This demands the careful we’re known for. We also look around the old toilet for bolts and other parts that are still in working condition and can be installed on the new toilet.
- Secure the new toilet seal: We carefully lower the toilet seal or wax ring on top of the toilet flange. Working too quickly can crack the bathroom tile or result in a leak right after installation.
- Install the new toilet bowl on the flange, securing it with the correct nuts and bolts: We make sure the base of the new toilet is correctly aligned with the flange, being aware not to move the base after it’s placed on the wax seal. This can damage it and cause a leak.
- Attach the upper tank: Some models separate the upper tank from the toilet bowl; we make sure it’s securely attached and won’t grind and scrape against the porcelain.
- Install accessories like the seat and lid: Our Experts make sure these sit firmly and level against the rest of the toilet to maximize comfort and long life for your new fixture.
Once toilet installation is complete, we thoroughly test the new toilet for signs of damage or leaks. We open the water supply valve, watch as the upper tank starts to fill, and flush the toilet to check that there are no leaks anywhere around the base of the toilet bowl.
Toilet repair and installation is something best left to the Experts. Call Rolf Griffin Service Experts Total Home Comfort—we can fix and install all sorts of toilets.
Learn more by giving a call to our staff at 260-557-1275 today!