Many common problems you will face with your toilet should be left to a professional. However, there are simple issues you can troubleshoot and fix on your own without hiring a professional plumber. Since toilets are mechanical, there is a simple process you can go through to figure out the root cause of every problem. You must fix certain problems immediately to prevent a spike in your water bill. If you are not sure you can fix a problem, it is much better to call a qualified plumber to take a look at it for you. That will ensure you don’t turn a minor problem into something more significant and difficult.
Toilet Is Constantly Running
One of the most common problems you will face is your toilet constantly running. A running toilet is noisy and can add a lot of money to your water bill, so you should deal with these problems immediately. A running toilet can have multiple causes. However, the most common reason for a running toilet is a misaligned or damaged flapper. You can look inside the toilet tank to see if there is a misalignment causing the water to flow through the flapper when it is supposed to be closed. The chain connected to the flapper inside your toilet can also get snagged, preventing the flapper from fully closing. If your flapper cannot be aligned correctly, you might need to get a replacement to stop the problem from recurring.
Toilet Leaks
A toilet leak can happen for many reasons, making the source of the problem more difficult to detect. The toilet will continue to refill, making it very difficult to find the source of the leak. You might be wasting gallons of water every year without realizing it because your toilet has a small leak you cannot detect. A problem with the fill valve can cause your toilet to leak, adding to your water bill. A toilet can also leak through the bowl, resulting in minor flooding on your floor. If this happens, there is a crack in the bowl somewhere. This problem will typically require a replacement toilet with help from a professional local plumber.
Slow Filling
There are multiple problems that can cause your toilet tank to fill slowly. One cause of this problem might be a bad water supply valve. This valve connects the toilet tank to your water supply, and it can get damaged over time. A damaged water supply valve will restrict the flow of water into your toilet’s tank. Inside the tank, the fill valve is responsible for filling the tank until the water reaches the set level. However, the fill valve might be old or corroded, leading to problems with water pressure.
Toilet Doesn’t Flush Properly
Another major issue that can happen to your toilet is that it does not flush properly. This issue can have many possible causes, making it difficult to figure out. If there are problems with your toilet chain, it will prevent the flapper from opening fully, making the toilet feel sluggish when flushing. That is why setting your toilet chain to the right tension level is crucial for your toilet to work properly. It could also be because the toilet handle is broken or damaged. If you try to flush your toilet and the tank isn’t full enough, it can also be a symptom of a leak somewhere.
Water Level Too High or Low
The fill valve is responsible for determining the level your water will fill to after each flush. In some toilets, there might also be a toilet ball responsible for the same thing. If your toilet’s level is set too low, that can usually be fixed by adjusting the level on the fill valve. This setting will determine when the water turns on to start filling your tank.
Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet is one of the more common issues you will find. It is useful to have a handy plunger available to fix small clogs after you use the toilet. However, there are some clogs that can only be fixed with a toilet auger. A toilet auger can go deep enough to dislodge every type of clog you might have. A professional plumber will have one on hand, making toilet clogs quick work.
Toilet Seat Problems
It might be uncomfortable to sit on your toilet if the seat is cracked or loose. These types of problems can be fixed by either replacing the toilet seat or tightening the bolts that hold the seat down.
At Linn Benton Plumbing, we are committed to being your plumbing and sewer expert in Albany and the surrounding area. Whether you need a new toilet installed or a fix for one that won’t stop running, we’re the team to call. On top of that, we are also experts with water heaters, repiping, drain cleaning, and sewer camera inspection. Contact Linn Benton Plumbing today for more information.
