Common Toilet Problems and Tips for Fixing a Broken Toilet

Your toilet is not functioning as expected and its obvious that something is wrong. Should you call in a plumber for what could be a simple fix or should you troubleshoot the toilet problem yourself and fix your toilet to make it work like new again.

That question is asked over and over again. Truth is, toilets have very few moving, working parts and are therefore quite easy to fix yourself with common tools and a little knowledge. The first step to fixing any toilet problem is to determine what is wrong with the toilet. This step of troubleshooting your toilet problem is possibly the most difficult step of the entire process.

Toilets have a few parts that are prone to failure. One is the flapper or flush valve. This unit is located inside the tank and blocks passage of water from the tank to the bowl. A worn flapper or flush valve can allow water to seep past and into the bowl which causes the water to continually run trying to refill the tank. A worn flapper is noticeable by inspecting it for damage and also can be determined as the problem if your toilet is constantly running and the water is running inside the bowl. Fixingg the problem is simple. Head to your local home improvement store, purchase a new flapper for your toilet model and follow the install instructions. The job usually requires no tools and take less than a minute to perform.

Another typical toilet problem is a broken flush handle. A broken flush handle will prevent you from being able to flush the toilet. Once again, head to your home improvement store, pick up a new handle for your toilet model, follow the simple instructions and replace your toilet handle. This task requires a pair of pliers and takes a few minutes to perform.

The next problem a toilet may encounter is a damaged fill valve. The fill valve is located within the tank of the toilet. Its task is to fill the tank after every flush and shut off when the water level in the tank reaches a certain height. A common problem with modern fill valve is failure to the float attached to the fill valve. This could result in the tank overfilling or underling or constantly trying to adjust the water level in the tank. Symptoms could include a constantly running toilet or a toilet that occasionally and unexpectedly runs. Fixing the problem is simple. Head to your home improvement store, purchase a model specific fill valve and replace your old valve. The task requires little more than pliers and ten minutes of your time.

Finally, if you notice water on the ground behind your toilet, your tank is likely leaking. If your tank is leaking, the seal between the tank and bowl has deteriorated. For this task, shut off the water supply, remove the tank by loosening two bolts on the bottom of the tank and inspect the seals. The rubber seals may be brittle and leaking. Head to you home improvement store, purchase new seals and install them. Replace the tank, tighten the bolts, turn th water back on and inspect for leaks.

The common toilet problems listed above are easy to troubleshoot and easy to fix. By fixing them yourself, you will save a significant amount of money over hiring a plumber. The tasks above are simple, take a few minutes, and will make your toilet work like new again.