When a toilet is in working order, no one thinks too much about it. However, if things go wrong, it’s important to act quickly. When water is involved, avoiding dealing with the problem can lead to bigger issues down the line, so it pays to be pro-active.
How do you know when your toilet is in need of repair? Look for these warning signs:
- Water on the floor around the toilet
- Leaking
- Slow filling or emptying of water
- Phantom flushing
- Strange hissing noises
These may be symptoms to larger problems that, if left untreated, could lead to a hefty repair bill.
Common toilet problems
A Broken Seal
Standard toilets have multiple seals, each of which can potentially leak over time. If a seal on a toilet is broken, your toilet may leak and pool water onto the floor. If this collected water makes its way through the tile or linoleum and into the floor itself, the underlying floor around the toilet may suffer unnecessary damage. Therefore, it’s important to deal with the leak early and head-on. Your plumber will be able to find which seal is leaking and fix the issue before it gets out of control.
Toilet Emptying Issues
A toilet bowl that is emptying slowly may be the first sign of a clog somewhere underneath the rim of the bowl while a toilet overflow after a flush may be a sign of a clog further down in the drain. In either case, having someone come to take a look and remove any build-up will help your toilet run properly and protect your bathroom from disastrous water damage.
Hissing Noises Emanating from the Tank
Constant hissing noises from within the toilet are most likely caused by water trickling into the tank via the supply line. A plumber will be able to ensure the refill tube isn’t inserted too far into the overflow tube and can check to see if the float is sticking or in need of adjustment.
Phantom Flushing
“Phantom flushing” is often caused by a small leak from the tank to the bowl and is typically the result of a faulty/worn flapper valve or flapper seat. A professional plumber is able to drain the tank and bowl and check your flapper to see if it needs a cleaning or needs to be replaced due to wear and tear.
Worried your toilet may be in need of repair? Let us take a look. Our seasoned professionals can help assess the situation and advise you on the best cost-effective and long-term solution. Call us today.
