A faulty toilet can be a serious hassle, but at least the problems are usually straightforward, and you can generally count on getting a prompt fix. In Commerce City, homeowners face the usual suspects—clogs, leaks, and toilets that just won't stop running. But what causes these issues, and how might you remedy them? A clog results when your toilet doesn't get what it needs to flush properly: a sufficient amount of water and a clear, unobstructed drain. Toilet leaks might come from several places, including worn-out flapper valves, compromised seals, or cracks in the toilet tank or bowl. If the noise you're hearing is more of a hum than a gurgle, you've probably got a problem with that flapper valve. These valves are designed to keep hard water from building up in the tank and making a darned good fertilizer that will one day make your toilet flower.
Undertaking toilet repairs can be a challenge, depending on the nature of your particular situation. The problems you're experiencing may not even be your fault. The plumbing in your house might have been improperly installed, or the fixtures may be too old (and thus inefficient) or too new (with their own set of problems). Weak or failing toilets are more than just an inconvenience; they're an indicator that plumbing problems are occurring somewhere within your home. Toilets can be finicky; many a DIY plumbing job has been undone because of the difficulty of working with gravity and the necessity of a watertight seal. Yet plungers (and, in serious cases, a snake) can deal with most exterior problems. If your toilet has been going on strike, however, it may be time to open it up and check the interior workings for any weak or failing components.
Think about what can happen if toilet problems turn into prolonged toilet trouble. You could have a handy wet-dry vacuum on standby, but nothing can suck up the kind of trouble a toilet generates left unattended for any length of time. And you work too hard to throw away any opportunities to waste water or money. So let’s get into the nitty-gritty of not letting these common culprits common enough to warrant the name "common" issues go unattended, understand them, and fix them—your toilets, not us. A little background knowledge about toilet operation can prepare you for simple troubleshooting and repair. Knowing what’s supposed to work when can help you understand what’s not working and why.