Toilet problems are common in homes, and your home probably has its fair share of them. Especially if you have small children in the house, toilet problems can become a near-permanent feature of your home.
But the good news is these issues do not have to have a crippling effect on your household, says Granite Foundation team. Nor do they need to become a drain on your wallet. Most toilet issues are minor problems; you should know how to fix them.
To help you gain greater control of your toilet, we will focus on the most common toilet problems in homes, their causes and what you can do to solve them. Note that if an issue gets too complicated, you can always call a local plumber.
Toilet runs constantly
If your toilet is constantly running, you will see a steady water flow from the tank into the bowl. Potential causes of the problem include a broken/dirty flapper: the chain between the flush lever and flapper being too long/short; the flapper is either out of place or the float is not working.
The fix
- Turn off the water supply to your toilet.
- Take the tank lid off and identify the different components inside the tank.
- Check that the chain between the flush lever and rubber flapper is properly connected.
- Feel the flush lever for slack in the connecting chain. If it is slack, cut off the excess.
- If the flapper that seals the drain is dirty, broken or twisted, clean or replace it.
- Examine the float to see if it is in the appropriate position. Make sure it is not stuck.
Toilet Is Filling Slowly
After you flush your toilet, the tank should not take more than a minute to refill. If it is taking too long, especially if you have never had this problem in the past, the float ball is likely waterlogged, or the fill valve is not working properly.
The fix
- If the float ball is the problem, you can replace it.
- A better solution would be to get your plumber to replace this mechanism with a more modern option.
- If the float ball is fine, the problem could be a partially closed fill valve.
- Check the fill valve to see if it is worn out, has a lot of sediment on it or is out of position.
- If the fill valve is damaged, you should replace it.
Toilet is Clogged
A clogged toilet will not flush at all or will only flush partially. If a toilet is clogged and you flush it several times, wastewater can collect inside the bowl until it overflows on your toilet floor. If this happens, you may have a bigger issue than a clogged toilet.
A clogged toilet is most often caused by strange items blocking the drain. If there are small children in the home, they may have dropped small toys into the toilet. Flushing so-called flushable items into the toilet can also block the drain.
The fix
- Try to unclog the toilet with a plunger. Make sure you use a toilet plunger, not a sink plunger.
- If the plunger doesn’t work, go in with a toilet auger. Put it into the drain and try to hook or break up the blockage.
Toilet leaks at it’s base
If water collects at the base of your toilet, there is a leak. A toilet that is leaking from its base can cause water damage to your flooring, walls and ceiling. If the problem is unfixed, it can result in structural issues.
The fix
- Mop the water and watch the base of the toilet to locate the origin of the leak.
- Check the bolts at the toilet’s base to see if they are loose. Tighten them if necessary.
- If the toilet leaks after you tighten the bolts, the wax ring could be damaged.
- To replace the wax ring, you must remove the toilet. Call your plumber for this job.
A wobbly toilet seat
A loose toilet seat is an accident waiting to happen. The toilet seat can crack while sitting on it and injure you. The constant movements of the toilet seat can damage the other components or weaken the pipe connections, thereby predisposing the toilet to leaks.
The fix
- The problem could be loose or worn-out bolts.
- To tighten the bolts, open the flaps covering them with a screwdriver.
- Depending on the type of bolts, use a screwdriver, wrench or pliers to turn them clockwise.
- If the bolts are old and worn out, you can find new ones at the local hardware store.
Lastly, remember not to try to fix a problem in your toilet unless you are sure of its cause and confident in your ability to solve it. It is always a good idea to let your plumber handle complex toilet issues. Finally, call a professional plumber if the above solutions don’t work.