Expert Plumbers for Toilet Repair and Installation Services

The toilets in your home are some of its most important plumbing fixtures. When something breaks, fast and effective repairs are a must. A trained plumber can easily handle the often-unpleasant task of toilet repair.

We’ve shared some information below about toilet repair and toilet installation. Every now and then, DiY solutions may be an option. But you may be surprised to learn that quality toilet services take a lot more than a plunger.

Toilet Repair is More Complex Than You Think

While your home’s toilets are fairly simple fixtures, even minor problems may require specialized tools and professional repair experience. Our certified plumbers have everything they need to understand the problem and perform repairs quickly and safely. Whether you’re struggling with clogs, bad water pressure or something else, professional service is just what you need.

Here are a few of the most common problems you can experience with your home’s toilets.

5 Common Toilet Repair Problems

Most toilets have two primary components: the bowl and the upper tank. Damage to the toilet bowl will sometimes crack the porcelain, producing a leak. If the upper tank is the source of the leak, it’s generally because of a broken valve. The upper tank contains several important valves including the flush valve and fill valve.

1. Toilet Constantly Running

A continuously running toilet wastes a lot of water. A professional plumber will first shut off the water supply line. This is done by closing the water supply valve, which is located at the base of the toilet.

Constant running water is often a sign of a damaged fill valve. This component ensures the water level fills to normal levels after each flush. If it becomes damaged, water will slowly seep into the upper tank.

But the source of your problem may also be a broken flush valve. This valve moves stored water from the tank into the toilet bowl after you flush. When it breaks or cracks, water will constantly flow into the toilet bowl. Until it’s replaced, you’re constantly wasting water. A professional plumber can seamlessly replace broken flush valves with a new replacement.

2. Toilet Won’t Flush

Is nothing happening when you flush the toilet? A quality plumber will check the flush handle, also known as a flapper. It can separate from the rest of the upper tank system, keeping the flush mechanism from working normally.

Correcting the problem is sometimes as simple as reattaching the chain that connects the handle to the fill valve system. If the chain is still attached, the plumber will instead check the nuts mounted inside the tank. These might shake loose and will have to be readjusted.

While this is occasionally something you can fix on your own, a professional is often necessary if these steps aren’t working. They can handle more complicated tasks like replacing the flapper.

3. Toilet Plumbing Is Leaking

Leaks are one of the most common problems that affect your plumbing. There are many places your toilet can leak, but some of the most visible spots include water supply lines and around the base of the toilet. Your plumber will still look for leaks in the upper tank since they’re not as immediately noticeable. Dripping sounds coming from the upper tank are sometimes a sign there’s a leak.

If the base of the toilet is leaking, the plumber will check the wax ring sealing the base of the toilet against the bathroom floor. When this wears down, water can pool around the base of your toilet. This can also happen when the toilet flange is damaged. The toilet flange sits underneath the base of the toilet, connecting the flush system to your home’s plumbing.

4. Malfunctioning Fill Valve or Refill System

If the fill valve doesn’t seem to be damaged, the actual problem could be debris deeper inside the water system. Some cleaners can remove this debris, breaking it apart and forcing it through the rest of your plumbing. When this doesn’t fix the issue, professional equipment is generally required.

5. Toilet Is Clogged

A clogged toilet is another common plumbing problem you can encounter. A trusty plunger can resolve the clog, creating enough pressure to remove it from your plumbing. Out of the many issues your toilet can experience, a clog is the one you can most likely handle without any help.

But larger clogs should be approached with caution. Otherwise, wastewater can overfill the bowl and spill onto your bathroom floor. Many professional plumbers use specialized drain snake tools, also known as closet or toilet augers.

Sometimes Replacing a Toilet Is the Best Option

When the damage is especially severe, replacing a toilet is usually more cost effective. Toilet installation should be performed carefully to prevent leaks or other problems somewhere else in your home’s plumbing.

Well-trained plumbers can easily perform new toilet installation, relying on a specific process designed to ensure secure connections.

Remove the old toilet: An experienced plumber will check the old toilet for bolts and other parts that are still in good condition. These can be reused on the new toilet.
Secure the new toilet seal: The toilet seal or wax ring should be carefully lowered on top of the toilet flange. If this is handled too quickly, you can crack the bathroom tile or end up dealing with a leak right after installation.
Place the new toilet bowl on the flange and secure it with the correct nuts and bolts: The base of the new toilet should be correctly aligned with the flange. Plumbers will be careful not to move the base after it’s placed on the wax seal, since this can damage it and cause a leak.
Attach the upper tank: Some models separate the upper tank from the toilet bowl. If the tank is not securely attached, it can grind and scrape against the porcelain.
Install accessories like the seat and lid: While a toilet lacking a seat still technically works, it’s not exactly as comfortable as sitting down. A plumber can make sure these sit firmly against the rest of the toilet.

Once toilet installation is complete, your plumber will test the new toilet for signs of damage or leaks. They will open the water supply valve and watch as the upper tank starts to fill. Plumbers will then flush the toilet to make sure water isn’t leaking anywhere surrounding the base of the toilet bowl.

Toilet repair and installation aren’t tasks you want to mess up. Don’t hesitate to contact the professional plumbers at Neal Harris Service Experts, who can fix or install a wide range of toilet models.

Learn more by getting in touch with our staff at 816-787-0500 today!