Three Common Toilet Problems

March 24th, 2015 Posted in Toilets
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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

 

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Is Your Toilet Not Flushing Right?

December 5th, 2014 Posted in Toilets
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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

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Improve Efficiency With a New Toilet

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Would you flush money down your toilet? Of course not, but If your toilet was installed prior to 1994 chances are your water bill is much higher than it should be. Older toilets typically use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Consider replacing your toilet with a newer more efficient model to lower this amount. Today’s standards, set by the EPA, require toilets to use no more than 1.3 gallons of water per flush. This can translate into less environmental impact on your community and lower water bills for your household.

Purchasing and installing a new toilet doesn’t need to be a difficult and time consuming bathroom remodeling headache. In fact, your local plumber is always happy to coordinate the delivery and installation of a new toilet, leaving you free to do other things. For those looking for a Saturday project to do themselves, simply go to a store that sells plumbing supplies and equipment. Any salesperson will be pleased to ensure that you get the toilet of your choice and the necessary tools for the job.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a new toilet for your bathroom. The most important factor is fit. Be sure to select a model that matches the shape and dimensions of your current toilet. Use a tape measure to determine the size of your toilet needing replacement and the dimensions of your bathroom. Bring these figures with you to the store or relay them to your plumber. You do not want to bring home a new toilet just to find out that it will not fit in your cozy space.

You will also need to make sure you have all the required tools and parts. The easiest route is to buy a total toilet kit, which includes both the toilet bowl and water tank, bolts, and wax ring all together. Any reputable toilet manufacturer will include detailed installation instructions with your new toilet, but a professional installation by a plumber will give you added assurance.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Managing a Clogged Toilet

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Clearing Clogged Pipes
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When it comes to embarrassing and messy situations in the average home, a clogged toilet definitely tops the list. While some minor clogs can be cleared away with the use of a hand plunger, there are some clogs that even the most vigorous plunger action won’t remedy.

Before you reach for a do-it-yourself cure for a clogged toilet, take a realistic appraisal of your plumbing knowledge. If you have a basic idea of how to use a closet auger, breaking one out and attempting to clear away a messy clog may be a reasonable choice. If your plumbing knowledge is limited, however, you’ll want to think twice before you attempt to repair your clogged toilet. Never pour chemicals intended for sink or bathtub drains down your toilet. Depending on the chemical composition of the product in question, it can cause the porcelain to crack or even explode.

If the closet auger doesn’t pass muster and you’re not sure of what to do next, it’s time to call in the professionals. There are plenty of folk remedies for clogged toilets to be found on the Internet or through well-intended advice, but these incorrect methods often lead to more trouble and extended downtime than they’re worth. If you don’t have a clear and proven plan of clog-busting action, don’t try to clear a blockage from your toilet yourself.

A licensed and experienced plumber can make quick work of even the most stubborn toilet clogs. With specialized equipment and plenty of practical knowledge, a professional plumber is the best person for the job. Keep in mind that the cost of repairing a DIY mistake will likely be much, much higher than the total cost of simply hiring a professional to handle the issue in the first place.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

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Reasons to Upgrade Your Toilets

October 10th, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Every time you flush an older model toilet, you’re effectively flushing away money. You’re also wasting water in the process, a major sticking point in today’s eco-conscious world. There are many reasons why your next remodeling project should include a toilet replacement, not least of which is modernizing the look of your bathroom.

First of all, throw away your preconceived notions about low flow toilets. It’s true that the earliest runs of eco-friendly toilets were badly received by the public. Since then, more functional designs have taken the place of those first models. Today’s low flow and dual flush toilets are far more effective as well as being much more efficient.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a single older toilet can account for up to to twenty-seven percent of household water use. If you have a leaky model in your bathroom, it can waste anywhere up to two hundred gallons of water each day. Homeowners connected to a municipal sewer and water system will find that they save money on their monthly bills. Because less water is used and flushed away, you’re being billed for less water with every flush.

Septic system users will significantly decrease the amount of waste water flowing into the septic tank. That means longer periods between septic tank cleanings and the potential for fewer costly repairs. Thousands of fewer gallons pushed through your plumbing system translates to real money savings, so it’s wise to consider replacing older toilets. It’s an investment that will pay for itself in the long run, especially if your existing toilet is prone to wasteful, costly leakage. Your plumber can assist you in finding and installing the best model for your needs on the market.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing

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Time to Replace the Toilet?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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While you are certainly able to replace the toilet yourself, your local building codes may prohibit anyone but a licensed plumber from doing it. Before starting on a toilet replacement, contact your local plumbing professional to see if this is really something that you can or even want to do yourself. You just may decide on letting the expert plumber perform the work on this one.

Before you even purchase a new toilet, much less remove the old one, you will want to measure the distance from the wall behind the toilet bowl to the center of the toilet floor drain, to ensure that the replacement toilet that you get will fit into the same space. Shut off the water supply, remove all the water from the tank and bowl of the existing toilet. Disconnect the tank from the wall, if necessary, and the bowl; remove and set it aside. Disconnect the bowl from the floor hold-down bolts, plug the drain hole with a rag to prevent backup of sewer gases, then lift the bowl straight up to remove it. Inspect the uncovered drain and clear it if necessary. Check the floor and if any has been rotted, rebuild it before installing the new toilet.

On the water outlet opening on the bottom of the new bowl, install a new sealer ring using toilet bowl setting compound around the base edge of the bowl. Remove the drain plug and place the new toilet bowl down over the flange while guiding the bolts. Press down to seat the wax ring and make sure the bowl is level. Tighten the bolts, reattach the tank, and reconnect the water supply after ensuring that the ballcock assembly is attached correctly.

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Toilet In Need Of Repair?

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Toilets
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Would anyone argue that the toilet is probably the most important plumbing fixture in your home? It is important because it receives the most traffic and performs a job for which we cannot do without, at least, not without great inconvenience. Although made to be sturdy and reliable, we’ve all had our momentary struggles with this piece of plumbing marvel and, whether it be a clog, continuously running water, or tank noises, there inevitably comes a time when home toilet repair is attempted.

Toilet repairs can vary in complexity, from replacing the seat to clearing a clog, or from fixing tank noises to a ballcock assembly. Once a person has a basic understanding of the working parts inside the toilet tank, most problems are resolved fairly easily. Similar to other trades, it is important to first diagnose the problem in order to ascertain the possible causes; to which, you can then implement the solution. Most problems relative to the tank or the correct flushing and filling of water, can be resolved by a slight adjustment of the float ball or rod, replacing washers and sometimes the ballcock assembly.

For more complicated main line clogs, repairs or replacement of the bowl, tank, or entire fixture, it is always preferable to contact your local plumbing professional. Even if attempting a minor do-it-yourself adjustment to the ballcock assembly, you may want to check with your plumbing contractor to ensure that the procedure you are about to do is the correct solution to the problem you are wanting to address. Compared to a clogged toilet, strange noises or continuously running water in your tank are not just annoying but costly in the amount of wasted water.  Therefore, make sure that your toilet system is functioning properly in all aspects.

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DIY Toilet Installation Concerns

August 7th, 2012 Posted in Toilets
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Whether installing a new water efficient toilet or replacing a leaky wax ring in an existing toilet, toilet removal and installation is bathroom repair commonly attempted by handy homeowner.  If all goes smoothly, a toilet removal and replacement or reinstallation is pretty straightforward.  However, there are several points in the removal and installation process where things can go terribly wrong and turn a small job into a big one.

If you have any doubt about your mechanical skills or encounter one of these common problems during a toilet replacement, it would be a wise idea to let a reputable local plumber handle the job.

Toilet replacement seems like an easy job:  Turn off the water supply, disconnect the supply hose, unbolt the closet bolts, and lift the toilet out of the opening.  Installation is the reverse.

However, problems can start right from the outset.  Many toilet shutoff valve have not been used in years if not decades.  Closing and re-opening an old, rarely used shutoff valve sometimes causes it to start leaking.  Worse, some shutoff valves are stuck open and it is easy to break or crack the water supply line trying to turn the valve.

A similar problem can arise when trying to disconnect the water supply line to the tank.  This pipe may have been there for so long that it is corroded to the shutoff valve and attempts to remove it can damage the water supply pipe or ruin the supply line.

Finally, it is not uncommon for the closet bolts to be so corroded that they have to be cut off with a hacksaw.  When installing the new toilet, many well meaning homeowners tighten the closet bolts too tight and crack the base of their new toilet.

If you are going to tackle a toilet replacement on your own, pay special attention to these possible pitfalls and call a plumber at the first sign of trouble.

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Replacing Leaky Flapper Valves

June 21st, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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A leaky toilet can waste over 20,000 gallons of water per year.  Fortunately, the most common cause of a leaky toilet is a leaking flapper valve which can easily be replaced.  In fact, most homeowners with basic mechanical skills can do the job themselves.  If you are unsure of your ability, your plumber can handle replacing the flapper valve and any other toilet and bathroom plumbing repairs.

A simple test can quickly identify a leaky flapper valve.  Remove the lid from the toilet tank and add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank.  Wait about 15 to 20 minutes to see if the water in the bowl changes color.  If it does, then your flapper valve is leaking.

The flapper valve is the rubber flap at the bottom of the toilet tank that is usually attached by a small chain to the handle.  Moving the handle lifts the flapper valve and causes the toilet to flush by releasing some of the water from the tank into the bowl.

To replace a leaky flapper valve, turn off the water to the toilet and then drain the tank by flushing the toilet.  You may need to flush three or four times to drain all of the water out.  Next, carefully disconnect the pull chain from the flapper, unhook the rubber flapper from the valve, and remove it from the tank.

Take the old flapper with you to the hardware store or home improvement center to make sure that the replacement flapper will fit properly. Installation is the reverse of removal.  You may need to adjust the length of the pull chain for the toilet to flush properly.

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