Can a Toilet Be Repaired?

You may find yourself asking “How can I know what’s wrong with my toilet?” Try these Toilet Repair Examples first:  

• Phantom Flushes: If you’re noticing that your toilet will periodically and spontaneously flush itself and refill, this is usually an indication the flapper inside the tank needs replacing. This doesn’t have to be done by calling a plumber for toilet repair service. You can purchase a replacement flapper at any hardware or big box home improvement store and do it yourself, following the directions on the package. 
• Trickling Water: Why is my toilet running nonstop? If you’re hearing your toilet hissing, check the overflow tube inside the tank. The water should never get more than an inch below the overflow tube rim. If it is, then adjust the float cup by turning the adjustment screw on the valve assembly. If the float cup is functioning right, the fill valve assembly needs to be replaced.
• Slow Flushing: If the toilet bowl is emptying slowly, has a weak flush, or the toilet isn’t flushing at all, sometimes it is because the holes under the bowl rim are clogged. You don’t need a professional toilet repair for this, just a piece of wire poked into each hole will usually clear those clogs, using a mirror to see where to poke the wire, be cautious not to scratch the toilet bowl. 
• Clogs: Probably the number one call for toilet repair service calls are clogged toilets. There are several methods to clear a clogged toilet, start with the basic toilet plunger. With repeated hard thrusting of the plunger, most clogs can be cleared. 
• A Leaking Seal: There are a minimum of five seals on any standard toilet and each one of them has the potential be a leaking problem. When you notice you have water leaking from the toilet, you need to determine where the leak is coming from, in most cases, you won’t need a professional toilet repair service, you can simply tighten up a connection or replace the seal. 

• When is an overflowing toilet an emergency?

No matter who you are, an overflowing toilet is an emergency plumbing matter. Let alone the possible water damage happening, the cleanup process of what overflowed with the water is not pleasant. There are three possible issues that can cause a toilet to overflow: 

Float Improperly Adjusted: A float that is adjusted too high will allow water to overflow from the tank. Most of the time, you can adjust the float yourself without having to pay for toilet repair service. 

Blocked or Clogged Drain: Yes, the clogged toilet drain is the most common cause for a toilet to overflow from the bowl. As we mentioned earlier, using the plunger will clear most toilet clogs. If it doesn’t then you will need a professional toilet repair service. 

Vent Pipe Blocked: If your toilet is clogging frequently, it may not be the toilet. The vent pipe that runs through the roof could be blocked, usually by a bird or other critter nesting.  With a little bit of knowledge, which we are about to share with you, you can do your own toilet repair service: 

• Step One: Close the Toilet Valve at the shutoff behind the toilet. If this won’t turn or you don’t find one, then you’ll need to turn the water off at the main. 
• Step Two: Stop the Water Flowing inside the toilet tank by removing the tank lid and checking the flapper. This is the rubber disc covering the hole at the tank bottom. If it is up, push it down to close it. If it won’t stay down, then lift the float. You may need to prop it up for now. The toilet float, the cylindrical or ball-shaped valve that sits on top of the water in the tank, should work to shut off the water. To keep it off, you may need to prop or hold the float in place.
• Step Three: Attempt to unclog the toilet using the plunger first. If that doesn’t clear the clog, use an auger or plumber snake. If you don’t have those tools, squirt some dish liquid into the bowl and then pour hot water into the bowl. Last resort, use your wet/dry shop vac and try to suck the clog out. If none of this works, call for a professional toilet repair service!