It should go without saying that the toilet is one of the most important utility appliances in a home. Ironically, it is also one of the appliances that causes the most issues for a variety of reasons. This can lead to frustrations and upset bowels, so learning these common problems and how to solve them is crucial. Whether it’s a running toilet, clogged toilet, leaking toilet, or any other issue on this list, if you can’t solve it yourself, then quickly look for a plumber Colorado Springs professional who can help fix the issue.
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Running Toilet
Arguably, the most common toilet problem homeowners run into is a running toilet. A toilet works because when you press down on the flusher, it pulls a tank chain that opens a flapper valve to allow for the flushing. The fill valve then kicks in to refill the water in the tank to the optimal level. However, if any of these three parts are having issues, then your toilet may intermittently run on and off.
To check up on these parts, take the top off of your toilet. First, inspect the tank chain for signs of damage or to see if it is loose. Then, look to see if the flapper valve or fill valve appears to be damaged or broken. If you don’t see any apparent signs of damage then it’s best to call a plumber as the issue may not be visible to the naked eye and you don’t want to accidentally damage your toilet.
Clogged Toilet
The second most common problem seen in toilets within households is clogging. This is most commonly caused by overuse of toilet paper, foreign objects falling into the toilet bowl and getting flushed, or simply piping issues that aren’t allowing the water and debris to move.
Your first method of troubleshooting should be to grab a plunger that fits tightly around the drain hole.
Plunge vigorously up and down until the toilet flushes. If this doesn’t work, your next best bet is to get a toilet auger (snake) to dislodge the clogging. Insert this snake into the toilet drain hole and turn it clockwise. If this doesn’t work, you should call your plumber.
Leaky Toilet
A leaky toilet can be extremely frustrating, depending on where the leak is occurring. There are two main areas: base leaks and tank-to-bowl leaks. A tank-to-bowl leak can occur due to a faulty flapper valve, and the best way to test it is to put some drops of food coloring into the upper tank. If you notice this food coloring appearing in the toilet bowl after a few minutes without flushing, then the valve is the source of your leak. If the bowl leaks from the base onto the floor or from the pipe, it is much more drastic. This could be due to a manufacturing defect and will likely require the help of a plumber to fix it, but in the meantime, you should try to plug all cracks or other sources.
Flushing Problems
The fourth and final common toilet problem seen in households is a toilet that has a variety of flushing issues, whether that be a weak flush, partial flush, or no flush at all. Typically, the cause for this problem is also under the toilet lid and is due to the flapper valve or fill valve. Check to ensure that the water level in the tank is at the right marker or even try to plunge the toilet to see if there is blockage that is causing the issue.
Be aware that you might need to buy a new flapper or fill valve for the toilet if it is a serious issue. The flappers themselves are relatively cheap at around $15 for the plastic and chain, but if you need the actual valve or fill valve replaced, then it can be more expensive.
Upgrade The Appliances In Your Home Today
As evident from the above, there are a wide variety of toilet issues that may arise in your home that can lead to several problems. It’s important to address each of these issues promptly so that your toilet is not damaged further, especially if the cause of the issue was something going down the toilet that shouldn’t have. Troubleshooting a toilet all by yourself is an excellent idea to save money, but be sure that you know your capabilities. When you’re out of your comfort zone, be sure to give an accredited plumber a call right away.