The bathroom toilet is one of the most important fixtures in your home. And yet, it is also one of the most-taken-for-granted plumbing fixtures in the average household. In fact, in most cases, homeowners often don’t think about it until it starts to act up and cause inconvenience.
Fortunately, most toilet issues are generally easy to fix and can be handled by the average DIYer. Being familiar with the most common toilet issue concerns and with the right tools, you’ll be able to address common toilet issue concerns in no time.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time or basic know-how to repair your toilet, you can call an expert plumbing contractor like Fergusons Plumbing or one in your locality to help you attend to the problem more efficiently.
As a good start, in this article, we’ll outline the common types of toilet problems and repairs. Read on to learn more.
- Running Toilet
One of the most common and very annoying issues you can encounter is a running toilet. A running toilet is characterized by the constant running of water even when not in use, wasting gallons of water every single day and causing your water bills to go up.
The most common cause of a running toilet is a worn-out or damaged flapper that’s not seating correctly in the flush valve. It can also be caused by a too-high water level in the tank, allowing water to flow over the top of the tank’s overflow tube and down into the tank.
You can easily fix booth issues with a few adjustments. All refill valves have a method for adjusting the water level. So, check the fill valve, and adjust or bend the toilet float arm so that the tank stop filling at the right water level. In terms of the flapper valves, you can easily adjust them to seal the flush valve properly. If it’s worn out, consider replacing it.
- Clogged Toilet
All homeowners probably experienced several instances of clogged toilets. This is one of the most common toilet issues you can face, particularly if you have an older plumbing system.
From sudden clogging due to large bodily waste to gradual clogs that occur because of frequent flushing of waste like tissue paper, wipes, and other bathroom debris, a clogged toilet is generally easy to fix. For most clogs, the good old plunger should be enough. That said, you may need to buy a specialized toilet plunger with an internal cup to handle most clogs.
In case of more severe clogs or repeated clogs, you’ll need heavy-duty tools like a toilet auger or a plumbing snake. On the other hand, if you don’t want to handle the nasty clog, you can simply consult a plumbing company.
- Loose Flush Handle
A loose flush handle is another common toilet issue you can easily fix on your own. If you depress the flush handle and feel no resistance at all and the toilet fails to flush, it means that the flush handle is loose or disconnected from the rest of the tank.
While not all tank interiors look the same, they all feature a lift arm and a flapper that connects via the chain to the lift arm. If the chain becomes unhooked from the lift arm, the flapper won’t lift to allow the water to drain, preventing a flush. The same issue can occur if the nut securing the handle to the lift arm becomes loose.
Both issues are easy to resolve. You simply need to reconnect the lift chain or wire that connects the lift arm from the flapper. If the nut is the problem, simply tighten the nut inside the tank.
- Leaking Toilet Base
Most of the above toilet issues originate in the tank. However, this one involves the base of your toilet. A leaking toilet base occurs when water seeps out around the base of the toilet bowl.
A little condensation during the summer months is normal. However, when you see a puddle of water at the base of your toilet, it could be a sign of a more serious problem. If the water leaking is dirty, you want to avoid using the toilet until it’s properly fixed.
This issue is often caused by a damaged wax ring that seals the toilet base to the floor. Replacing the wax ring should solve the issue. Although replacing the ring is quite easy, it involves lifting the entire toilet. So, consider asking a helper or leave it to the professionals.
Takeaway
Unlike most of today’s high-tech fixtures and appliances, toilets are relatively straightforward fixtures, consisting of only a few essential parts. So, when it starts to act up, it’s usually simple to diagnose the issue and fix it. Suppose your toilet is giving you any trouble. Check the most likely issues mentioned above to easily resolve them right away. But if you’re unsure, it’s always best to leave it to professionals and have a plumber inspect and repair your toilet.