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Are you struggling with your toilet but you don’t want to call a plumber unless it’s absolutely necessary? Do you like to fix your home yourself whenever you can? Here’s what you need to know to diagnose some common toilet problems and how to fix them on your own.
Water Constantly Runs into Your Toilet Bowl
If you hear water flowing into your toilet bowl when it’s not flushing or if it sometimes flushes spontaneously even though no one has used it recently, the problem almost always lies with the flapper or the flapper seat.
To fix this, drain the tank. Clean the flapper and the flapper seat and test them. If the problem persists, replace the flapper. This almost always solves the problem!
Water Trickles into the Tank
If you hear the sound of running water but nothing is flowing into the toilet bowl, there’s a good chance that water from the supply line is trickling into your toilet’s tank. This may sound more like hissing than like traditional water sounds.
When this happens, check your toilet’s float. If it is sticking or it isn’t adjusted properly, fix it so that it is working properly. You may need to replace it. If this doesn’t solve the problem, check the connection between the refill tube and the overflow tube. The refill tube should be no more than ¼” below the overflow tube’s rim. If the problem persists, you’ll need to replace the ballcock assembly.
The Toilet is Overflowing
If your toilet is filling and won’t stop or there’s water flowing everywhere, there’s a clog in the line somewhere. It could be because you’ve flushed one of the things that you shouldn’t ever flush down the toilet. Regardless of the cause, the first thing to do is to turn off the water supply valve for the toilet.
Next, you’ll need to unclog the toilet. Start with a plunger. If that doesn’t do the job, get a toilet auger from your local hardware store. If you still can’t get the clog out, it’s time to call a plumber.
The Toilet Won’t Flush
If your toilet won’t flush, start by adjusting the handle. If that’s not the problem, check the flush lever lift arm inside the tank and replace or adjust as needed. Make sure the lift chain is properly attached and the flapper is working as designed.
At Lightfoot, we can help you with toilet problems both big and small. If you aren’t comfortable fixing your toilet yourself or the problem gets too big for you, call us today!