While there are certainly many joys to homeownership, one of the most stressful parts has to be when something breaks down, and you don’t know how to fix it. And if there’s one part of your home that you don’t want to touch when it’s broken, it’s your toilet.
It’s a common reaction—something goes wrong with your toilet, and fixing it yourself can be a dreaded (and sometimes, filthy) job.
But most toilet problems, however intimidating they may immediately appear, thankfully often have quick and simple fixes. Here are some common toilet problems homeowners often encounter and some tips on how to resolve them.
If your Toilet Spontaneously Flushes and Refills...
Ah, the famous “phantom flush.” This is what industry professionals refer to when water slowly trickles into your toilet bowl without flushing it first. This happens when the toilet tank has a very small leak in it, a leak that when left unchecked, can get larger over time.
If this happens to you, simply drain the bowl and toilet tank, give the flapper seat a thorough examination and cleaning, and replace the flapper if it is damaged.
If Water is Slowly Gathering in Your Tank...
You’ll know this is happening if your toilet is making a slight hissing noise. This often happens when the toilet’s supply line trickles into the toilet tank, and that hissing sound you hear means that the water is entering the tank from an inlet valve.
Don’t panic. All you have to do to fix this is to check to see whether the toilet float needs to be adjusted. After that, take a look at the refill tube and ensure it’s not more than ¼” inserted into the overflow tube. Worst case scenario, if both of these areas look like they are functioning normally, the ballcock will likely have to be replaced, and that’s a quick and simple process.
If Your Toilet is Clogged…
This is a problem everyone wants to solve as quickly as possible. Of course, first trying a force-cup plunger is great way to unclog your toilet. It works more effectively than your standard type of plunger for minor clogs.
All you have to do is insert the bulb into the drain and pump forcefully. Repeat until the clog is clear.
When it comes to issues with your home toilet, it’s a problem homeowners often are hesitant to resolve themselves. But take comfort that many problems also come with simple solutions. For the bigger jobs, trust Action Drain to ensure your home’s plumbing systems are working for you properly.
Call us at (509) 467-1717 for more information on how to get your toilet up and running again in a timely and affordable manner.
If you need professional help for a clogged drain or information on other services we provide, call Action Drain & Plumbing at (509) 467-1717.
Comments