You don’t realize how important a functioning toilet is to your household until it starts having problems. Now that your toilet is malfunctioning, you may feel anxious about heeding nature’s call. Toilet issues can also be troublesome because they can damage your home and run up your utility bills.
Fixing your toilet problems as soon as possible is a must. In this article, you’ll learn about common toilet issues and their potential fixes. Keep that part of your home in working condition by following the tips here.
The Problem: You Have a Clogged Toilet
Clogging is one a common issue that plagues residential toilets. Signs of toilet clogging include slow draining, foul odors, and gurgling noises.
You can also tell your toilet is clogged if the water inside is overflowing. According to the CDC, even older toilets only use around six gallons of water per flush, so they shouldn’t overflow without reason. In all likelihood, the water is pouring out of your toilet because an obstruction is caught in your plumbing.
The obstruction causing your toilet to malfunction could be a large clump of toilet paper. Hair and foreign objects big enough to slide into your plumbing but not out of it can also cause clogging. Your toilet clogging may also be related to a busted flapper or toilet trap.
The Solution to Your Clogged Toilet
Minor toilet clogs can be fixed pretty easily. A plunger or plumbing snake can dislodge the clog and restore your toilet’s functions. Chemical drain cleaners can also help with clogging caused by organic materials, but it would be best to let the professionals use them. Using those chemical cleaners without checking with professionals beforehand can cause significant damage to your plumbing.
Note that some solutions mentioned above may not work for deep blockages. At that point, you should call a plumber so they can use more specialized tools and techniques to unclog your toilet.
The Problem: Your Toilet Is Leaking
A toilet leak is a significant household issue that can also be symptomatic of bigger problems. Your toilet could be leaking because it has a damaged tank or bowl. Damage to your toilet’s supply line, connectors, and flapper can also cause a leaking issue.
Taking immediate action is critical if you have a leaking toilet. Thankfully, the signs your toilet is leaking are pretty hard to miss. You can tell that something’s wrong if you consistently find water pooling around the base of your toilet. Continuous and weak flushing are also signs that you should call a plumber to request service.
The Solution for Your Leaking Toilet
Fixing a leaking toilet will likely take more work than unclogging it. After all, simply diagnosing the underlying cause of the leak can be tricky. The plumber will have to inspect different parts of your toilet to determine where the leak is coming from.
Once the plumber has identified the source of the leak, they can tighten your toilet’s connections to fix it. Replacing your toilet’s supply lines, connectors, or flapper may also be necessary if they have sustained significant damage.
Your plumber may also recommend getting a new toilet if they can only administer a temporary fix for the damaged tank or bowl. They may also consider your toilet’s age when pondering potential replacement. According to Home Depot, toilets usually last for around 50 years. Replacing your leaking toilet may be the more prudent course of action if your leaking toilet is around that age.
The Problem: Your Toilet Fills With Water Slowly
Slow filling is another common toilet problem that you may have to deal with. This filling can be troublesome if you need to use the toilet urgently. You may have no choice but to hold off on using the toilet until the water level is where it needs to be.
Most of the time, slow-filling toilets have malfunctioning supply valves. You’ll have to check out that component of your toilet to resolve the issue.
The Solution for Your Slow-Filling Toilet
Fully opening your toilet’s water supply valve should help address the issue with the slow filling. If that doesn’t work, it could be a sign that the fill valve is damaged. Get in touch with a plumber so they can replace your toilet’s damaged fill valve.
Dealing with toilet issues can be stressful. The good news is many of those issues can be easily resolved. Keep your toilet in good condition by following the tips detailed in this article!
