6 Common Toilet Plumbing Problems and Troubleshooting Tips

As one of the most used fixtures in the home, we all use toilets every day. They are one of the few constants in life, so it’s natural that you may experience a toilet problem from time to time. If you don’t give your toilet the care it deserves, its parts will break down over time, which could prove costly.

With that in mind, here are six of the most common toilet plumbing problems and troubleshooting tips to eradicate the issue.

Leaking Toilet

If you have noticed that your toilet leaks when you flush, this is a major problem that needs to be immediately addressed. Leaks can materialize from anywhere, such as in the supply pipe, inside the bowl, or in other areas inside the toilet. If a pool of water is constantly present around or in your toilet, or you have noticed a stark increase in your water bill, this is a definite sign that you have a leaking toilet.

If you aren’t sure what to do, you should contact the experts. Do a local search and you should easily find someone who can come out to you ASAP. Just make sure you refine your search, as a search for Florida plumbers for instance might bring you too many results to choose from. If you were to refine that a step further to Southwest Florida, you will find more local plumbers such as Bergau Plumbing who operate in Lee County. They offer plumbing services such as toilet leaks, clogged drains and sewers which is exactly what you should be looking for.

Clogged Toilet

When flushing the toilet bowl, if you notice a weak or sluggish water discharge, this could be a sign that the toilet bowl has a partial clog, or the clog may be elsewhere downstream. You will be able to easily spot when your toilet is clogged, as when the water refills, the draining will slow down. Most clogs will originate in the trap area of your toilet. To unclog your toilet, there are numerous things you can do, such as using a plunger, baking soda, or hiring a professional.

There are numerous reasons why your toilet may be clogged. Whether it’s facial tissues, hair, personal hygiene products, or even foreign objects, there are lots of things that can get flushed down the toilet and result in a major blockage. To prevent future headaches and costly repairs, knowing the root causes of why it happened in the first place will help you make sure that it doesn’t happen again. A plumber will be able to advise you further on any habits that you may have adopted that are creating clogs in your toilet.

Dripping Toilet Tank

When flushing your toilet, the toilet tank will automatically fill back up with water, however, if you hear a persistent dripping sound once the tank is full, this could be a red flag that there is a leak somewhere in the system. Finding the origin of this issue can be difficult, so it’s best to contact an expert if you aren’t sure what to do.

Low Water Levels

After going to the toilet, the tank should fill back up completely, but if you see a significantly lower water level once your tank has finished filling, this is an indication that water is seeping out somewhere. A possible cause of this problem is damage to the interior of the bowl or piping. If you are experiencing low water levels, one of the main solutions to sort out the problem is by replacing the bowl with a brand new one.

Overflowing Toilet

If you have done your business, flushed, and now notice your toilet is beginning to fill up and overflow, it’s crucial that you open your toilet tank and stop the flow by pulling up the fill valve. Doing so will allow you to use your plunger to rectify the situation. Be warned, however, should you let go, the fill valve will drop, and your toilet will start filling up again. Also, make sure that you switch off the water supply, which should be situated near your toilet.

Inefficient Toilet

You may not realize it, but the year your toilet was manufactured can play a major part in the plumbing problems you’re experiencing. Toilets that were made in 1994 and before are known to be very inefficient. Older toilets use roughly 3.6 gallons of water each time you flush, which can have a huge impact on how much you pay out on your water bill, whereas newer toilets only use 1.6 gallons per flush. If you would like to reduce your water bill, it’s a good idea to purchase a new toilet. Picking one that comes with a dual flushing system will help you use less water.

While toilet problems are incredibly common, they are still annoying. Thankfully, there are lots of tips that you can use to fix the problem. In some instances, the problem is far larger than you imagined, so rather than trying to tackle the issue yourself, it’s always advised to contact an expert who can diagnose and fix the problem.