Toilet Repair Tips

Toilet Repair Tips to Remember

The toilet is, without a doubt, the most used plumbing fixture in the home. It plays a crucial role in the day-to-day activities of the home, and the last thing homeowners want or need is a faulty toilet. However, a toilet consists of several moving parts that are constantly working together, and over time, the resultant wear and tear may cause them to break down. Here, we share a few toilet repair tips Minnesota homeowners should keep in mind.

Most people would tell you to contact a toilet repair company in Stillwater, MN, as soon as this happens, and you should. But depending on the complexity and severity of the issue, plenty of homeowners are quite capable of making simple repairs. Any fixture that is constantly being used will break down over time: it’s a matter of when not if. Arming yourself with some basic plumbing knowledge will allow you to spot issues when they arise and decide whether to fix them yourself or seek professional plumbing services in Stillwater, MN. The following are some common toilet problems our plumbers at McQuillan Bros have encountered in their decade-long career and some tips to help you fix them.

The Toilet Won’t Flush

This is every homeowner’s nightmare. Usually, a toilet won’t flush if it’s clogged. In this case, you’ll have to break out your trusty plunger or toilet auger to remove the clog. If you notice that you’ve been plunging your Toilet every other day to make it flush, you should contact a plumbing company in Stillwater, MN, to come and inspect it.

If the toilet isn’t flushing because of a clog, the problem may be with the hardware. Check the handle and make sure it is properly connected to the arm that extends into the tank. Check the inside of the tank as well. If the flapper, which opens to monitor water flow into the bowl, is damaged or warped, replace it.

Inspect the lift chain as well. It should be connected properly to the flapper with no slack in the chain. Check that the float arm monitors the water level in the tank and when to start and stop the flow of water. It should be securely attached and adjusted at the proper height. If fixing the hardware and removing any clogs doesn’t fix the problem, it’s time to call McQuillan Bros.

A Running Toilet

A toilet leak can be pretty hard to spot, especially if you aren’t specifically looking for it. The average leaky Toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day or over 6,000 gallons a month, all on your dime. To find out if your Toilet is running, open the tank, drop a dye tablet in and leave it be for 15 to 20 minutes. If you see colored water in the bowl upon your return, then you leak.

You can also pop the tank lid open and check if the water level is above the tank’s overflow pipe. If it is, the problem may be with the fill valve. You can even hear or see the water running down the inside of the bowl in some cases. Try jiggling the handle: if this stops the running, then you likely need to adjust the flapper valve or the chain valve connecting it to the flush handle.

Another way to check for a leak is to shut off water to the Toilet in question for an extended period. You can do this at night before you go to bed. If the water level in the tank has dropped by morning, then you likely leak. Once you’ve confirmed this, contact McQuillan Bros for toilet repair services in Stillwater, MN.

A Leaking Seal

Leaks that introduce moisture to the flooring should be addressed immediately. Once you notice water leaking around your Toilet base, clean it up to avoid damaging the flooring. Often, tightening the tea bolts around the base of the toilet bowl does the trick. If tightening the bolts doesn’t work and the leak persists, the problem could be with the wax ring seal around the base.

To replace it with a new one, you will have to disconnect the waterline, remove the toilet from the floor, and swap out the old wax ring for a new one. Once this is done, secure the toilet with the tee bolts and reconnect the waterline. Our friends at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing, who offers toilet repair services in Folsom, CA, suggest that you caulk the toilet base after replacing the wax ring to keep water from building up around the bowl.

Note that this will require tools and a little plumbing knowledge. If you aren’t sure of your plumbing abilities, contact McQuillan Bros.

Toilet Tank Fills Up Slowly

In this case, the fill valve that regulates water flow into the tank may need cleaning. Open up the tank and check that the valve isn’t filled with debris. If it isn’t, you may have low water pressure. Check that the water shutoff is fully open to allow maximum flow of water into the tank. If both of these tips don’t work, you may have to bring in a Stillwater, MN plumber to inspect the Toilet.

Don’t be caught off guard by a faulty toilet or super high water bills. Proper plumbing maintenance in Stillwater, MN, will allow you to spot any plumbing issues in time and address them before they snowball, whether it involves fixing it yourself or calling a plumber. With these toilet repair tips, you’ll be able to take proper ‘first aid’ steps once your toilet comes down with an issue.

Are you in need of toilet repair services in Stillwater, MN, and beyond? Contact McQuillan Bros today for a plumbing estimate. We’re happy to help! Don’t forget to take a look at our plumbing coupons and special offers to save on residential plumbing services. Right now, we have a toilet two for one.

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