When toilet repair can't wait
A toilet that overflows, leaks from the tank onto the floor or rocks on its base needs fixing promptly. Water from a leaking wax ring soaks into the subfloor without showing on the surface for months. If yours is the only toilet in the house, a broken one is a real problem for the household.
A running toilet is less dramatic but quietly drains away litres every hour, which adds up on the bill.
Our step-by-step visit
- We listen to how it fills and flushes and check the water level in the tank.
- We test the flapper by adding food dye to the tank water to see if it leaks into the bowl.
- We check the fill valve, flush valve, handle and chain.
- For base leaks, we lift the toilet off and examine the flange and subfloor, and reset it on a new seal.
- For weak flushes, we check the rim holes and siphon jet for mineral buildup, and look for a partial clog in the trapway.
The shut-off valve behind the toilet should turn easily. If it is seized, it will not help in an emergency; ask us to replace it while we are there.
Common causes in Durham homes
Hard water scales up fill valves and flappers, so they stop sealing. Rubber parts wear out regardless. Older homes with cast iron flanges sometimes have rusted or broken flange rings, which let the toilet rock and the seal fail. In basements, a toilet set on an uneven slab may never sit flat without shims. Upper-floor toilets on older joists can rock slightly as the floor flexes.
Keeping it from coming back
Skip drop-in bleach tablets; they can damage rubber parts. Flush only toilet paper. Check the tank parts once a year for wear. If the toilet is very old and uses a lot of water, replacement may make more sense than repair. If you are on a rural property, our well and septic basics guide explains why toilet leaks matter more on septic. Other related services include outdoor faucets and emergency plumbing.