Most Common Maintenance Problems Related to Toilets?

Let’s face it: everyone dreads having maintenance problems related to toilets. These problems can be, first and foremost, messy and disgusting, and they can also be difficult and expensive to fix.

Nevertheless, it’s a fact that sooner or later, there will be a maintenance issue with any toilet, be it standard drain cleaning or something more involved. It’s, therefore, useful to know what some of the most common problems are so that you know how to respond.

Toilet Keeps Running

Sometimes the toilet runs constantly. Sometimes it runs on and off for no apparent reason. Either way, it’s annoying, and it’s also wasting water. Often, it’s a flapper that isn’t sealing properly. If you’re lucky, some jiggling might reset it so it seals the way it should and the running stops. In case that doesn’t work, it’s probably time to replace the flapper.

“Bubbling” Toilets

Think about pouring liquid from a can. The liquid only pours properly with two openings, one for the liquid and the other for air.

There’s a similar operating principle with toilets. A toilet with a drain line that’s clogged or isn’t appropriately ventilated may produce air bubbles inside the bowl or rising and falling water levels. This can be especially true if a water-using appliance like a clothes washer is nearby.

A problem like this one isn’t easy to fix since it involves complicated venting systems. Most likely, you will need to call a professional plumber who will have the tools, training, and experience for the job.

A “Sweating” Toilet

Have you ever noticed the outside of your toilet “sweating”? This is actually fairly common in humid areas when air conditioning is either nonexistent or not on. Condensation forms on the outside of the tank, and it can drip down onto the floor, which creates a few problems:

1. It’s a mess you have to clean up,
2. It’s a slip hazard, especially when someone gets up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and doesn’t turn on the light or relies on a dim nightlight in order not to disturb others
3. The dripping water can cause rot in the flooring or other areas it seeps into when draining.

One possible remedy to this is a toilet with an insulated tank that can prevent condensation issues.

The Toilet Rocks or Wobbles

When a toilet isn’t fastened to the floor solidly, the movement that results can damage the wax seal. That means leaks, and leaks can lead to extensive damage and costly repairs. Tightening the bolts might take care of this issue. If it doesn’t, you can cut and add plastic shims underneath the toilet and then caulk around it. This should steady the toilet, but if it doesn’t, or you don’t have the time to do this yourself, call a professional plumber.

Toilet Seat Is Cracked

Toilet seats can get a lot of use; over time, they can weaken or crack. Fortunately, this is a reasonably simple toilet maintenance problem to handle, as all you have to do is buy a new seat and put it on.

Removing the old seat, though, can be complicated and frustrating, especially if it has metal bolts that have rusted. A lubricant might help, and if you’re handy with a drill, you may be able to break the old rusty bolt so you can then replace it with a new one (consider plastic nuts and bolts so you won’t have to worry about rust in the future).

Call a plumber if you don’t have the tools or know-how to remove an old toilet seat. Improvising could lead to more significant problems.

Flushing Problems

Say your toilet isn’t outright clogged, but it isn’t flushing well. Maybe it isn’t always giving a solid flush and making a resounding gurgle. Or maybe it’s slow to flush or requires multiple flushes to get the job done.

Sometimes, the problem may be simple: the person who installed the toilet forgot to remove the temporary plug used for testing the lines after installation. Such plugs are found atop the vents on your roof, and if you have safe access to your roof, you can check to see if that’s the problem and, if it is, simply remove the plug.

If roof access is dangerous or difficult or a temporary plug left behind isn’t the problem, you may have a defective toilet, and professional attention is required.

Clogged Toilets

Everyone would agree this is maybe the worst problem to face with a toilet. A clogged toilet creates an inconvenience, and if it backs up and overflows, things get even worse, with unsanitary messes and water-related damages possible.

Most of the time, using a plunger does the trick. Plungers with extension flanges are even better and can take care of stubborn clogs that regular plungers can’t handle. You might also want to invest in a toilet snake that can penetrate deeper into pipes and clear clogs that plungers aren’t up to the task of taking down.

When a plunger or residential-level toilet snake doesn’t work, seek the services of a professional plumber who will have the tools for the job.

Call Four Seasons for Any Toilet Maintenance Problem

When you’re having trouble with a toilet, you need service, and you need it fast. Whether it’s drain cleaning in Fletcher, NC, or any other toilet or plumbing service in the Asheville region, Four Seasons is here to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

We’re fully licensed and insured, and all our technicians are professionally trained and certified so that you have the peace of mind from knowing that we’ll get the job done fast and we’ll get the job done right.

If you suspect your toilet has a problem, don’t wait to see what will happen. If you know your toilet needs professional attention, don’t take chances with companies that don’t have our reputation and experience.

Contact us today to schedule a service!