Toilets are simple in design but can develop a variety of problems over time. The good news is that many common toilet issues have straightforward fixes. Salina Plumbing Co assists homeowners throughout Salina, KS with toilet repairs of all kinds. Here are the most common toilet problems and how to resolve them.
The Never-Ending Flush
A toilet that runs continuously or cycles on and off periodically is the most common toilet complaint. The three most likely causes are a worn flapper, a maladjusted float, or a faulty fill valve. Start by checking the flapper. Lift the tank lid and press down on the flapper with your finger. If the running stops, the flapper is not sealing properly and needs replacement. Flappers cost a few dollars and take five minutes to replace.
If the flapper seems fine, check the water level. The water should be about one inch below the top of the overflow tube. If it is higher, water is flowing into the overflow tube and down into the bowl, causing the fill valve to run continuously. Adjust the float or fill valve to lower the water level. On modern fill valves, this is usually a screw adjustment on top of the valve.
If neither the flapper nor the water level is the issue, the fill valve itself may be worn and not shutting off properly. Replace the entire fill valve assembly, which is a fifteen-dollar part and a thirty-minute job. Turn off the water supply, flush to empty the tank, disconnect the water supply line, unscrew the old valve, install the new one, reconnect, and test.
When the Flush Has No Power
A weak flush that does not clear the bowl effectively can have several causes. The most common is a clogged flush hole under the rim of the bowl. Over time, mineral deposits from hard water can partially block the small openings under the rim where water enters the bowl during a flush. Use a small mirror to look under the rim and a piece of wire or a small brush to clear any blocked holes.
Low water level in the tank also causes a weak flush. Check that the tank is filling to the proper level, about one inch below the overflow tube. If the tank is not filling adequately, adjust the float upward to increase the water level. Also check that the flapper is staying open long enough during the flush cycle. If the flapper closes too quickly, it does not allow enough water to enter the bowl for a complete flush. Adjusting the chain length can sometimes correct this.
In some cases, a weak flush indicates a partial clog in the trap or drain line below the toilet. The toilet may still flush, but the restricted passage slows the water and prevents a strong siphon. A plunger or closet auger (a special drain snake designed for toilets) can clear the obstruction.
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Get Help: 7852031066Toilet Leaking at the Base
Water appearing around the base of the toilet is a sign that the wax ring seal between the toilet and the drain flange has failed. The wax ring creates a watertight seal that prevents water and sewer gas from escaping between the toilet and the floor. Over time, the wax can dry out, crack, or be damaged by the toilet rocking on an uneven floor.
Replacing a wax ring requires removing the toilet. Turn off the water, flush and empty the tank, disconnect the supply line, remove the bolts holding the toilet to the floor, lift the toilet off, scrape away the old wax ring, install a new one, and set the toilet back in place. While the toilet is up, inspect the drain flange for damage or corrosion. A damaged flange should be repaired or replaced before reinstalling the toilet.
If the toilet rocks or wobbles, it can break the wax seal repeatedly. Shim the toilet base with plastic toilet shims to create a stable, level seat before tightening the bolts. Caulk around the base after installation for a clean look, but leave a small gap at the back so that if the wax ring ever fails in the future, you will notice the leak promptly rather than having it hidden under the caulk.
Toilet Will Not Flush at All
If pressing the handle does nothing, the problem is in the flush mechanism inside the tank. Remove the lid and check the chain connecting the handle lever to the flapper. A disconnected or broken chain is the most common cause of a non-functioning flush. Reattach or replace the chain. If the chain is connected but slack, adjust its length so there is about half an inch of slack when the flapper is closed.
Check the handle itself. If the handle feels loose and does not engage the lever arm inside the tank, the mounting nut may be loose. Note that toilet handle mounting nuts have reverse threads, so they tighten by turning counterclockwise. If the handle mechanism is corroded or the lever arm is broken, replace the entire handle assembly.
If the handle works but the flapper does not lift, the flapper may be stuck to the flush valve seat. This can happen if the toilet has not been flushed for an extended period and minerals have bonded the flapper to the seat. Gently break the seal by hand and replace the flapper.
Phantom Flushing
If your toilet seems to flush by itself or you hear the fill valve cycling on for a few seconds every hour or so, you have what plumbers call phantom flushing or ghost flushing. This is caused by a slow leak from the tank into the bowl, usually through a deteriorated flapper. As the tank slowly loses water through the leak, the water level eventually drops low enough to trigger the fill valve, which tops off the tank. This cycle repeats indefinitely.
The fix is the same as for a running toilet: replace the flapper. Perform the food coloring test to confirm. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank, wait 15 to 30 minutes without flushing, and check if the color has appeared in the bowl. If it has, the flapper is leaking and needs replacement.
Why Your Toilet Keeps Clogging
Occasional toilet clogs are normal, but frequent clogging suggests an underlying problem. Older toilets with smaller trapways (the S-shaped passage inside the toilet) are more prone to clogging. First-generation low-flow toilets from the 1990s are particularly notorious for weak flushes and frequent clogs. If you have one of these, upgrading to a modern high-efficiency toilet with a larger trapway and improved flush technology can eliminate the problem.
Excessive toilet paper use is another common cause. Thick or multi-ply toilet paper is more likely to cause clogs than thinner varieties. If clogging is a persistent problem, try switching to a thinner, faster-dissolving toilet paper. Also, flushing anything other than human waste and toilet paper, including so-called flushable wipes, is a recipe for recurring clogs.
If the toilet clogs frequently and it is not a paper or flush power issue, there may be a partial blockage in the drain line below the toilet. A plumber can run a camera through the line to check for obstructions, root intrusion, or pipe damage that is catching waste and creating recurring clogs.
Contact Salina Plumbing Co for Toilet Repair
Not sure what is wrong with your toilet? Our licensed plumbers can diagnose and fix any issue quickly. Salina Plumbing Co provides professional toilet repair services throughout Salina, KS. From simple flapper replacements to complete toilet installations, we handle it all with upfront pricing and a satisfaction guarantee. Call 7852031066 for prompt toilet repair service.