Toilet Repair

Few home installations are as important as your bathroom toilet. When your toilet fails to flush, continuously runs, backs up, or begins to leak, it's often not something that can wait. Toilet repair isn't a sexy home improvement project, but unlike resurfaced cabinets, backyard landscaping, or platform beds, it's something that needs to be taken care of now. Even a toilet that still has basic functioning properties should be repaired in a timely fashion. A continuously running toilet, for example, will send a ton of water and money down the drain in a short amount of time.

Common Toilet Problems

Clogged Toilet: Both toilets that back up and toilets that inadequately flush can be caused by clogged piping. If you're having trouble with a clogged toilet, you've probably already tried a plunger. It's probably time to go and hunt down a plumber's snake. Usually this tool will take care of your clog. If it doesn't, it's probably time to call a plumber and talk to your kids about anything they may have flushed down the toilet. In fact, if you have a habitually clogging toilet, it's probably some combination of flushing materials thicker than toilet paper and a low flush toilet. You may need to limit what you flush down your toilet and/or ante up and buy a power flush toilet.

Leaking Toilet: This is the most difficult toilet problem to identify and fix. Water on the floor around your toilet can be condensation from your tank, a leak in the incoming water pipes, a damaged toilet gasket, or simply a toilet bowl assembly that has become jarred. You can check the tank for condensation and examine any visible pipes and connections for leaks, but if the leak is hidden it may be beyond your expertise to locate and fix. It's probably time to call a professional.

Running Toilet: Continuously running toilets are usually the easiest toilet repair to manage. The solution is usually as easy to identify as a clogged toilet and should permanently fix your toilet problem. Take the lid off the tank at the back of your toilet. Most likely, something has broken the seal that keeps the toilet valve from letting water into it after the toilet has refilled. Perhaps the flap, ball cock, or chain has fallen into disrepair. By inspecting the assembly you should be able to discern which toilet part needs to be replaced. You'll need to be sure to cut off the water supply to the toilet before you replace the toilet part.

The Handiness of the Handyman
If you can't solve the problem yourself, you may need to call a professional. If you have reason to believe your toilet repair isn't a major ordeal, even though you can't fix it yourself you may not need the expertise of a plumber. Talk to a handyman company who may be able to fix your toilet for less. Plus, if you have any other small home improvement repairs or projects, your handyman can often take care of these, too, during the same visit. Make sure you discuss both your toilet repair problem and any other home projects before the handyman arrives. Giving the handyman a good description of everything that needs to be done may save him or her a trip to the hardware store for your toilet part and, in turn, save you money for the service.