4 Common Toilet Troubles

No one wants to realize their toilet is not working correctly. Toilets are a fixture you use every day, but fixing troubles is never fun. However, a dysfunctional toilet can cause extensive damage to your home if not fixed quickly. Here are four common toilet issues and what will need to be done to fix them.

  1. Running toilet. The toilet that keeps running has an issue with the stopper mechanism in the tank. When the tank fills, the stopper should close. If water is still escaping into the bowl, the stopper may not be sealing, or the ballcock float is stuck. These parts can be found at any hardware store if you want to replace them on your own.
  2. Wax ring seal is broken. If you notice a leak around the base of the toilet, it most likely is a broken wax ring. The toilet needs to be reset and sealed to prevent leaks and damage to the floor. This may require the service of a plumber.
  3. Crack in the toilet or base. A cracked toilet usually needs to be replaced. In many cases, you can just replace the tank or base instead of the entire toilet. Contact a plumber and give them the model number of your toilet to determine the type of replacement you will need.
  4. Overflowing toilet. When your toilet is overflowing, you most likely have a clog in the drain. Use a plunger to dislodge the clog. If this does not work, it may be further down in your plumbing and calling a professional is your next move.

While you can fix some toilet issues on your own, it is best to leave the big jobs to a plumber. They can quickly repair the problem and relieve your toilet troubles.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

3 Tips to Dealing with an Overflowing Toilet

It happens to almost everybody at one point or another. You use your bathroom, flush the toilet, and watch in horror as the toilet bowl fills to the rim instead of going down. As it begins to overflow, you need to react fast. You either need to unclog the toilet or stop the water flowing in to mitigate the mess. Here are three tips to dealing with an overflowing toilet to avoid a big mess.

  1. Shut off the water. The water from the tank is already going into the toilet bowl by the time you realize you may have an overflow issue, but most toilets have a water shut-off valve. Turn off the water to avoid more water coming into the tank and bowl.
  2. Use your plunger. Most toilet clogs are in the curved pipes of the toilet. Too much toilet paper or other waste can make a clog. Your plunger can release most clogs and clear the pipes. When it clears, the water in the bowl will disappear and you can turn the water valve back on again to fill the tank and flush again to ensure your toilet is completely clear.
  3. Disinfect your bathroom. If you’re able to unclog your toilet, but you had an overflow, make sure to thoroughly clean your bathroom before letting kids or pets near the room. Use disinfectant to kill the bacteria and remove any health risk.

If using a plunger does not stop your overflowing toilet problem, you should call your local plumber. You may have a larger clog in your plumbing that needs professional removal with a snake or possible hydro-jetting.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Tips on What to Do if Your Toilet Overflows

An overflowed toilet can create a mess. The curvy pipes that flush down waste can get clogged, and as more water comes in to whisk away the waste, it fills up the bowl. Before you know it, it can overflow onto the floor. Usually it is a local clog, often in the toilet itself, that can be removed with a plunger. To deal with a clogged toilet, follow these steps.

  • First, use a plunger to try and release the clog. Create a seal with the plunger around the exit hole in the toilet bowl and push down, then release and push down again without breaking the seal. Keep doing this until the water is sucked down.
  • Try flushing the toilet again. If it flushes with no problems, the clog is gone. Make sure to disinfected the plunger and the floor after cleanup; overflowed toilet water can release many harmful bacteria. Use bleach or another anti-bacterial cleaner.
  • If the clog will not budge or the toilet continues to fill the bowl, you may have other sewer line issues. It could be a clog in one of your pipes or a more serious issue. You can try to “snake” out the drain to find the clog. However, it may be more beneficial to call a plumber. They can determine where the clog is and make sure it is completely removed to remedy the problem.

Most overflowed toilets are a quick, albeit messy, fix. However, if plunging does not work, you may need to call in a plumber. It could be a toilet or plumbing problem that need professional repair.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

3 Reasons to Replace Your Toilet

When it comes to updating appliances and fixtures in your home, the toilet may not be at the top of your list of items to buy. However, it is something you use several times a day and is a very necessary fixture in your home. If you have an older toilet, it may be time to considering replacing it for a newer model. Here are three great reasons why.

  1. Water efficiency. The top reason to update an older toilet is to conserve on water. Newer, low-flow toilets can save hundreds of gallons of water a day in many households. The new designs allow for less water needed to flush while still efficient in eliminating waste. It can save you money on your water bill and it is good for the environment.
  2. Design. It may not be a loveseat or dining room table but there are differences in the designs available in toilets. There are different options in the styles of toilets. Many prefer toilets without a floor base – this makes it easier to clean under and around the toilet. You can change colors and models to match your style.
  3. Features. Make your bathroom visits more enjoyable with some of the incredible features available on modern toilets. Heated seats, music, bidet features and much more are available, with some toilets allowing for customization between users. This is the ultimate luxury – you may never want to use a regular toilet again.

If you are ready to update your bathroom with a new toilet, talk to your local plumber. They can help you install the latest, greatest toilet for your bathroom and ensure that it is plumbed correctly.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(404) 973-2471

Are You Up to Installing a New, High-Tech Toilet?

Are you remodeling a bathroom or considering updating your toilet? You may be surprised at the new toilet options available. Toilets, like everything else, have evolved with new technology. There are toilets that have electronic settings for personalized use, including adjustable seats, heating preferences and bidet options. Before you settle on the basic model of toilet, consider these new features and whether you really want to be the one to install these high tech devices.

  • Air drying. You can have an air blown behind with many of the new toilets. This can save on paper products and give you a clean, dry personal area every time you tinkle. This is also often used with a bidet feature for the ultimate post-toilet cleansing experience.
  • Automated seat. Never argue about the toilet seat being left open again. Men and women will love that these new high-tech toilets resolve this age-old argument by automatically opening and closing the seat for you.
  • Music and illumination. Want a tune while you do your business or a light to lead the way in the night? New toilets have you covered with musical features and illumination for an enhanced toilet experience.

Whether you have decided to go for a new, high-tech toilet or are just replacing your old toilet with a standard model, you may not want to attempt this project on your own. Even a plain porcelain toilet can lead to major issues if not installed correctly. Hire an experienced plumber to perform your toilet remodel, especially if you have decided on a decadent high-tech device. It is worth the investment to make sure everything is perfectly set up for your enhanced bathroom experience.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Is Your Toilet Wasting Water and Money?

Did you know that for most homes, more water is used through the toilet than any other appliance or fixture? Even showers and your washing machine may use less water than your toilet. It is estimated that a third of all water used in most homes is flushed down the toilet. When a toilet leaks or is an older, less efficient model, the amount of waste can be even more. Replacing your toilet can be the most effective way to reduce water usage in your home, saving a vital natural resource while also reducing your water and energy costs.

So what makes newer toilets more efficient? It all comes down to the design.  Larger flapper valves, redesigned trap ways and longer flush valves in new efficient toilets have improve the function of these fixtures while decreasing water use. With these new improvements, many of the newer efficient toilets can garner a large savings in water use, up to 20% in many cases. This savings can be reflected on your water bill and ensure you are doing your part in helping reduce water waste.

Don’t continue flushing water and money down the toilet with an old, inefficient model. Upgrade to a new toilet that will help reduce your water use while offering higher functionality for your home. Although replacing a toilet is a quick plumbing service, it does require expertise to ensure it is installed correctly. An improperly installed toilet can lead to even bigger problem such as water damage to your flooring if it is not sealed correctly. Contact your local plumbing company to discuss which of the newer options will work best for your needs and schedule a professional installation.

Be sure that your new toilet is installed correctly and properly sealed so that it will last for many years to come.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Should You Install Your New Toilet?

Is it time to get a new toilet? Whether your old one broke or you are trying to upgrade to a more efficient model, installing a new toilet takes some plumbing know-how. Although it is possible to install a toilet on your own, there are a few things you should know before you tackle this job. Keep these toilet installation issues in mind before you begin this project:

  •  How long has the existing toilet has been in place?  If the existing toilet has been in place for several years or more, expect to deal with corroded components that will need to be cut or replaced.
  • Replacing corroded closet bolts.  The bolts that connect the toilet to the floor are closet bolts.  These bolts often can rust and become corroded, needing to be replaced with the toilets. Due to the corrosion, removing them incorrectly can damage the flooring if you are not careful.
  • Issues with the water shutoff valve.  To remove the toilet, you will need use the water shutoff valve. This can cause problems in and of itself if it has not been used in years. It can get stuck on, leak or break.
  • Leaks.  Installing the wax ring is tricky and can cause a leak if not done correctly, possibly damaging the floor.  Leaks can also occur at the base and tank, at the water supply line and the base of the fill valve.
  • Cracking the toilet base. When tightening the closet bolts on the new toilet, over tightening can crack the base. Not tightening enough can cause a leak.

Many toilets that are installed by amateurs end up needing to be reinstalled by a plumber or cause costly damage to the home due to leaks or other issues. Save yourself the time and headache and call a professional plumber to install your new toilet.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Three Common Toilet Problems

Let’s be honest; toilet problems aren’t anyone’s favorite issue to deal with as a homeowner. Whether it’s a slow-flushing toilet or one capable of flushing by itself, we would rather ignore it than try to fix the problem. However, these issues do crop up, and must be dealt with before they lead to bigger plumbing headaches. Many toilet problems are easy and inexpensive to fix on your own, if you know what the problem is and how to address the situation. Here are three of the most common problems and what needs to be done to resolve the issue.

  1. Slow-flushing toilet. If your toilet is flushing slowly but isn’t clogged, you may have mineral build up in your tank and fixtures. Check to make sure your tank is filling correctly; it the float is corroded, it may be shutting off prematurely. Try cleaning the mineral deposits off your fixtures or replacing them altogether.
  2. Self-flushing toilet. If the toilet is flushing on its own, most likely water is leaking from the tank into the bowl, causing it to fill and then flush. Put a few drops of food coloring in your tank and wait to see if the colored water leaks into the bowl. If it does, you probably have a leaky flapper valve.
  3. Clogged toilet. The first and easiest fix for a clogged toilet is to use your plunger to remove the clog. However, if the clog is farther down into your plumbing, you may need a snake to remove it, or a professional plumbing service.

Most toilet fixtures and parts can be found at almost any hardware or home improvement store and are fairly easy to install. If you aren’t handy with tools or just don’t particularly like working on your toilet, your local plumber can always come to the rescue to fix these common problems.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

 

Is Your Toilet Not Flushing Right?

While it’s not generally considered polite to engage in toilet talk, when talking about plumbing, it’s acceptable. The fact is, we all depend on our toilets to do their jobs, day in and day out. There are few things that can start your day off worse than finding that your toilet is not flushing properly, or worse, not at all. While a clogged pipe is often the cause, there are a few other things you can check before calling in the plumber.

Slow Flushing

Often a toilet may be flushing, just doing so slowly or only part of the way. While this can mean a clogged pipe, it can also be an issue with your tank. If the tank is not filling all the way up, there may not be enough water to properly flush the tank.

To determine whether the tank is the problem, take the lid off to look at the water level and interior of the tank. If the water level is low, the ballcock or float maybe engaging too soon, stopping the water flow. This can be adjusted so the tank fills to a higher level. If there’s an abundance of mineral build up, this can also affect the float. Try cleaning the mineral deposits out, then see if the toilet flushes correctly.

If there doesn’t seem to be any issue within the toilet, most likely you do have a clog in your pipes. You can try plunging out the clog if it’s close enough to the toilet, but you may need to call in your plumber to resolve the problem.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

Premium Toilets For Your Bathroom

The plain, white porcelain toilet has long been the standard of bathrooms in the U.S. However, there has been a larger demand for toilets which fulfill a purpose beyond the purely functional. Many of these new models offer high technology, along with aesthetic features which are creating a new standard in the bathroom throne. If you are thinking of remodeling your bathroom, maybe its time to upgrade to the hottest trends in new toilets.

The Bidet

While Americans are not as comfortable with the bidet as our European counterparts, they are making quite the splash in homes across the U.S. A bidet offers an enhanced cleansing experience for users, usually paired with a traditional toilet in the same room.

High-Tech Toilets

Especially in many of the Asian countries, high-tech toilets are all the rage. Although they are slowly making their way into American homes, you are more likely to experience one of these toilets on a trip to Japan than at your neighbor’s home. These toilets are programmable, with heating features, sound options and bidet function, all in one toilet with a remote control.

Fancy Toilets

On top of the bidet and high-tech options, there are toilets which are designed to look like works of art. There are solid gold toilets, sculptured options, toilets built into furniture and even toilets with aquariums in their tanks. If you are tired of the plain, white toilet, there are many options to set your bathroom apart.

When you are ready to upgrade to a new toilet, talk to your local plumbing company about what options are available. From adding a bidet to your bathroom to a computerized toilet, your plumber can help make your bathroom the most amazing one on your block!

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.