Toilet Repair Facts

Did you know that a leaky, running toilet can waste more water than a leaky faucet? Repairing a toilet leak could save you over 100 gallons of water a day. An obvious sign of a toilet issue is the sound of running water and/or the toilet turning on and off without being used. Here are some of the most common causes and fixes for toilet disrepair:

CLOGS

Clogs are the most common of toilet problem. Minor clogs can usually be cleared using a plunger, but a larger clog may need to be professionally drain-cleaned. Call Reliance for 24/7 emergency assistance.

HISSING NOISES

If you hear a hissing sound coming from your toilet, it is likely water trickling into the tank through the supply line. The first thing to do is check to see if the float is sticking or needs adjusting. The next thing is making sure the refill tube isn’t inserted too far into the overflow tube. If these adjustments do not fix the issue, the ballcock assembly might need to be replaced.

WEAK FLUSH

A weak flush is when the toilet bowl empties slowly and is often caused by clogged holes underneath the rim of the bowl. Using a curved piece of wire, such as a coat hanger, push gently into each hole to clear out debris.

REPLACE THE FLAPPER

Occasionally, you might hear your toilet being refilled, as if it had been flushed. Plumbers call this a phantom flush, when the toilet cuts on and off by itself. It is due to a slow leak from the tank into the bowl, usually caused by the flapper. To check and see if your flapper needs to be replaced, drain the tank and the bowl, check and clean the flapper seal and replace the flapper if it is worn or damaged.

BROKEN SEALS

A standard toilet has several seals, all of which have potential for leaks. These can be fixed by either tightening the seal or replacing it. The largest seal is between the tank and bowl. If it needs to be replaced, drain and remove the tank first.

Smaller seals are at the mounting bolts and the base of the ballcock which can also fail and cause leaks. They can be replaced but tightening the bolts or mounting nut is often enough to stop a leak.

Another seal is the wax ring seal underneath the toilet base. If this is the issue, water will leak underneath the base of the toilet and eventually cause serious damage to your floor. To repair a leak around the base, the toilet will need to be removed and the wax seal replaced. If the leak is due to a broken flange, a professional plumber may be advised. Call your Reliance professional plumbers today or schedule online if these tips do not fix the problem!