We use the toilets in our homes every single day. So when something goes wrong with one of them, it’s important to be able to figure out a course of action for fixing it as soon as possible. Today we’re going to help you do that by familiarizing you with some of the most common toilet problems that people encounter in their homes and what you can do to solve them!
4 common toilet problems and how to deal with them
- 1. Toilet is constantly running. If your toilet always seems to be running, regardless of whether or not you recently used it, there is likely a problem with the flapper and/or fill valve assembly inside of the tank. The flapper is responsible for stopping the flow of water from the tank to the bowl, and it can wear out over time. This is a simple and inexpensive replacement that you can either attempt on your own or have Cabrillo take care of for you. As for the fill valve assembly, the lift chain can sometimes get tangled and prevent the flapper from closing properly. If the chain doesn’t seem to be the problem, contact Cabrillo so we can inspect the assembly and figure out the source of the problem.
- 2. Toilet overflows. An overflowing toilet is typically the result of a clog somewhere in your drain line. If the clog has been ignored for a few hours, you might not even know it’s there until you attempt to flush the toilet again and the bowl overflows. You should first attempt to fix the clog with a plunger, being careful not to flush the bowl again until you are certain that the clog has been fixed. If a plunger won’t do the job, contact Cabrillo so that we can professionally unclog the toilet for you.
- 3. Toilet is leaking. If you notice water building up around your toilet and it has not been overflowing, there’s a good chance that there is a leak somewhere in or around the fixture. Leaks can develop in a number of different places, including where the toilet is secured to the ground, at one of the water lines leading to or from the fixture or from a fracture in the toilet itself. Some leaks are much more serious than others, but it’s best to be on the safe side and contact Cabrillo so we can diagnose and fix the problem correctly.
- 4. Toilet flushes with low water pressure. Does it seem like your toilet’s water pressure is lower than it used to be? This can sometimes happen in homes with hard water, because calcium deposits can build up in the holes that allow water to flow into the bowl. You can attempt to clear these holes on your own with a small and pointy object like a clothes hanger. Installing a water softener can also help prevent this from occurring in your home.
If you have any questions about these common toilet problems, or if you’d like a plumbing system serviced or installed in your home, contact Cabrillo, your Bay Area plumbing, heating and air conditioning contractor.