Toilet Trouble

Toilet Trouble & How To Tackle It

By Ryan R. Ennis

IF YOU MAKE A LIST OF THE MOST INDISPENS-ABLE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE, YOU MIGHT NEGLECT THE BATHROOM TOILET.

You can easily overlook its importance. But once it stops working, your life becomes filled with unnecessary complications and frustrations. Nothing seems more desirable than to have the toilet operating again.

In between your trips to a neighbor’s house and the closest fast-food joint to use their facilities, you frantically search for a plumber to get your own toilet fixed. Unfortunately, no plumbers are available until later in the week. What do you do in the meantime? Here are suggestions on how you can resolve the issues yourself.

A CLOGGED TOILET is a common household problem. It often occurs when you try to flush too much toilet paper, wipes, or sanitary pads down the drain. Or when children, while playing, want to see what happens when they try to make a stuffed animal or other toy disappear down the bowl. Plumbers recommend that children should be taught early that only toilet paper and what they eliminate out of their bodies go in the toilet.

HOW TO FIX: Get a plunger with flange that will cover the toilet’s drain hole. Push down on the plunger firmly until the drain unclogs. If that does not work, try using a toilet auger or plumbing snake. Remind all members in the house to be careful what they put in the toilet, even if a product’s label says “flushable.”

A DRIPPY TOILET is an issue you might discover when water overflows from the tank onto the seat and floor after you flush it. In this instance, a malfunctioning fill valve could be the culprit. However, if it is a case of internal leakage, you might not know anything about it until you see the hikes in the water bill. An effective way of checking for an internal leak is to add a little bit of food coloring to the tank. If the food coloring ends up in the bowl, then you know the tank has an internal leak.

HOW TO FIX: Keep everything in the toilet sealed tight by replacing the flapper valve, flush valve, and gaskets when they become worn or damaged. Also, lift the tank and inspect the water level. If it is too high, adjust it down.

TOILET BOWLS NOT FILLING PROPERLY can be attributed, typically, to these four issues: a cracked toilet bowl, a damaged fill tube, a faulty sewer vent line, or a worn-out fill valve.

HOW TO FIX: Check the fill tube to make sure it is not twisted. If you need more water in the tank, turn the screw connecting the float to the fill valve clockwise in small increments. If the toilet bowl is still not filling up after flushing, check for things blocking the refill tube. For the toilet to work well, the water level in the tank should be one to two inches below the fill valve or overflow tube.

SLOW FLUSHES are a disadvantage of septic systems whose drain fields easily become blocked with waste materials. In households with regular sewer systems, clogged toilets and tanks with inadequate water levels can also cause weak flushes.

HOW TO FIX: Use a toilet auger or plumbing snake to clear any obstructions in the toilet trap or drain line. Apply enzyme-based cleaners to disintegrate organic waste materials and maintain proper drainage. When needed, adjust the fill valve to increase the water level in the tank.

A SHAKY TOILET needs to be fixed right away, even if the wax seal around the bottom is not broken. When a toilet rocks back and forth, it usually means it is not sitting correctly on the bathroom floor. The toilet flange connects a toilet to the drainpipe. If the flange is a bit higher than the floor, the toilet may lift and shake. Two other issues contributing to a wobbly toilet are: the floor settling over time, or the wax seal around the bottom hardening and cracking.

HOW TO FIX: Periodically check the toilet’s base for instability. Tighten the bolts evenly to keep the toilet firmly on the floor. If the floor is uneven, use plastic shims to level the toilet. These tips stop leaks and protect the wax seal from damage.

A CONSTANTLY RUNNING TOILET is a noticeable problem because you continue to hear the bowl refilling itself throughout the day. If you do not see water on the floor or outside the toilet, then the tank is leaking internally. A toilet that keeps running means that there is an issue with the fill valve or flapper.

HOW TO FIX: Adjust the flapper’s chain length for a good seal after flushing. If the fill valve does not shut off properly, clean or replace it. Taking care of your toilet parts saves water and ensures the tank will stay in good condition.

TOILET SWEATING (CONDENSATION on the porcelain tank) is a downside of living in an area with high humidity. This tends to happen most frequently during the warmer months when the air conditioning is not running. When condensation forms on the outside of the tank, it can start dripping onto the floor, creating a mess that will damage the surface over time. Wet floors turn into a hazard in the bathroom, where you could slip and injure yourself.

HOW TO FIX: To stop condensation from forming on the tank, install a tank liner or insulation kit. Improve ventilation by operating exhaust fans or opening the window. To prevent mold growth and water damage, it is crucial to address condensation concerns.

RUSTY HINGES on the toilet seat are another problem due to high humidity. Or the result of urine getting on the hinges and corroding them. When rusting occurs, you will see reddish-orange dust on the toilet rim each time you raise or lower the seat.

HOW TO FIX: Apply a rust-inhibiting lubricant to the hinge screws to stop the formation of rust on them. Consider replacing the screws with the rust-resistant kind. Regular cleaning and upkeep of the toilet’s hardware will extend the life of the components and improve the toilet’s appearance.

A TOILET THAT BUBBLES even without you flushing it is a sign of trouble. The issue arises from either a clogged toilet or a malfunctioning vent. Sometimes, a blockage in the toilet’s drain is the cause of the bubbling.

HOW TO FIX: Use a toilet auger or plumbing snake to clear any obstructions in the toilet trap or drain line. Inspect the vent pipe for blockages and clear them as needed. Proper venting ensures efficient drainage and keeps sewer gases from building up.

As mentioned, you should address any issues with your toilet promptly and thoroughly to keep your toilet functioning well. Managing problems right away also prevents more costly repairs in the future. If you are unsure about why the toilet is not working, or do not want to tackle the problem yourself, consult a professional plumber.