Toilet Repair Welby

In Welby, the toilets tend to have three primary complaints: they run, they're clogged, or they're leaking. You could think of these as the Holy Trinity of problematic toilets. When a toilet runs, it's usually because of bad flapper or fill valves—though a neighbor did once have a running toilet because the tank lid was on backward. (Seriously. Google it.) Flush those problems down the toilet, and let's move on. Clogged toilets are frequently the result of human error. Loosely defined, "human error" refers to any number of inappropriate items that get flushed and an amount of toilet paper that is consistently or occasionally excessive.

The flapper at the bottom of the tank should be checked first. It should be sealing properly. If it isn't and is worn or warped, replacing it can solve the problem. Next, check the float. It should be adjusted to the correct height so that it shuts off the water when the tank is full. If the fill valve is not working properly, it should be inspected and replaced if necessary.

When a plunger fails to remove the clog, try using a toilet auger, a.k.a. a plumbing snake. This tool can reach farther into the toilet and remove blockages that the plunger can't. It's important to note that using the auger improperly can and will scratch your toilet bowl. Therefore, should you find yourself with a stubborn blockage that the plunger can't clear, the auger is your next best option. If the situation worsens, don't hesitate to call a pro.

A base leak is most commonly due to a defective wax ring. This ring is what seals the toilet to the floor and the waste pipe. When a wax ring goes bad, the only fix is to take the toilet off the floor, remove the old wax ring, replace it with a new one, and then resecure the toilet. When doing this, it's very important to make sure the wayward toilet is as "right" as possible and to use sufficient force to make sure it doesn't wiggle free at all under normal use. If you don't think you can do this, call a professional.

If you want to detect invisible leaks, put a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. After about 15 minutes of not flushing, look in the toilet bowl. If you see any color in the bowl, that means your tank is leaking into the bowl. Most often, the tanks leak because of bad flapper valves or seals.

If your toilet is regularly breaking down and in need of repair, that's a sign it's probably time to consider a replacement. Even if it's not using as much water as the average American toilet (which was nearly 1.6 gallons per flush in 1994 when federal water-efficiency mandates took effect), an older toilet is likely using more water than a new one, which could save you water and, in the long run, money. On top of that, if you have a toilet that's more than 20 years old, the energy and water savings you could see from replacing it with a new model would really add up.

Inspecting your toilet at least twice a year can help you catch and fix any major problems before they become too big—think of it as giving your toilet a basic health check. To start, I would recommend checking the functionality of all the internal components. This would include the flush and fill valves. Also, you might want to take a quick look at the outside. Your toilet is entitled to some vanity, so let's give it a chance to show off. No signs of leaking? Good. No cracked surfaces that could maim someone while cleaning? Excellent. If all these checks yield positive results, congratulations. You may proceed without fear of unexpected toilet-related calamities for another six months.

Using chemical drain cleaners in toilets is not recommended. These are harsh products that can harm the internal parts of the toilet as well as the porcelain. While they might seem like a good and easy solution for a stubborn clog, they are not effective and often cause more serious plumbing problems. Plunge your toilet or use a toilet auger instead for a safer, more effective, and less damaging method to clear a clog.

A dual-flush converter can be installed in the toilet to make it more efficient. The converter is a mechanism that adjusts the amount of water used to flush the toilet. You can also reduce the amount of water used to flush the toilet by placing a water displacement device in the tank. Such a device can be as simple as a filled plastic bottle. In terms of maintenance, the most important thing you can do is to regularly check for leaks, which will waste a lot of water if not fixed. Finally, if the toilet cleaner is efficient but the flush mechanism isn't, consider upgrading the mechanism.

Consistent scrubbing with a purpose-built toilet bowl brush and a mild but effective toilet bowl cleanser can help keep a toilet sediment-free. For a more thorough cleansing, use 1 to 2 cups of vinegar and let it sit for a few hours before flushing. Alternatively, you can let it sit in the toilet overnight. Professional plumbers recommend doing this step about once a month. Finally, if you have a water softener in your house, use it. The softened water will reduce the number of minerals being deposited in the toilet.