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Common Toilet Problems and How to Repair Them

You cannot be a homeowner without running into problems with the toilet. It is the most common plumbing problem in homes and is easy to deal with. However, you need to understand how a toilet works before repairing it. This guide will walk you through the operation of toilets and help you repair or replace fixtures. There are times when you will need to enlist assistance from a plumber in Phoenix, and Rooter Hero Plumbing of Mesa is just the expert you need!

How Does the Toilet Tank Work?

The tank is responsible for holding water in the bowl until it reaches a certain level. When it does, it activates a float ball that opens up the flapper valve at the bottom of the tank and allows water to flow down into the bowl. When you push down on the lever, you close off this valve so no more water can enter your toilet bowl until it fills up again.

Plunger-Type Ballcock

The plunger-type ballcock is the most common type of toilet fill valve. It’s made up of two pieces: a plunger and a float. When the toilet tank fills with water, the float rises, pushing the plunger up. The plunger allows water to flow out of the tank through an opening in its bottom into the toilet bowl. When the tank is empty, the plunger falls back down and closes off the opening, stopping any further flow from occurring until more water is added to the tank.

Diaphragm-Type Ballcock

Diaphragm-type ballcocks are similar to plunger-type ballcocks, except they use a diaphragm instead of a float to control flow through an opening at their bottom. This type of ballcock is more commonly found on newer models of toilets than on older ones because they’re easier to install than their predecessors and are less likely to need replacement due to wear and tear over time.

Float Cup Fill Valve

Float cup fill valves are similar in design to plunger-type ballcocks but have no moving parts — they rely on pressure alone to keep water from entering your toilet tank. They’re used on older models of toilets with two flushing buttons that don’t require any power from electricity or batteries.

Floatless Fill Valve

A floatless fill valve uses an internal mechanism to close the water supply when the tank refills after flushing. This prevents a continuous flow of water into the tank and reduces how often it must be refilled. If this type of valve is not working properly, it can cause water to leak out of the bottom of your tank or run continuously into it after each flush.

DIY Toilet Repairs

Replacing a Ballcock

A ballcock is the part of the toilet that regulates the water level in the tank. It’s usually made of plastic and has a float attached to it. The float rises as the bowl fills with water, shutting off the water flow into the tank. If you have a leaky ballcock, replacing it is easy. Turn off the water supply to your toilet, flush out any remaining water from the tank, and remove the lid from your toilet tank. Locate your old ballcock and remove it by unscrewing it from its seat. Replace it with a new one and screw it back into place.

Repairing the Flush Valve

If you have a leaky flush valve, replace it as soon as possible because this can lead to serious problems later on down the road. Remove your old flush valve by unscrewing its mounting nut or bolt (depending on what kind of valve you have). Install your new flush valve in place of your old one and securely tighten its mounting nut or bolt.

Fixing a Running Toilet

A running toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems. It can be caused by a faulty flapper or float ball, or by mineral deposits in the trap. You’ll need to shut off the water supply to the tank and flush to drain any remaining water inside. Then remove the screws on either side of the tank cover and lift it off. If replacing parts, note their orientation and position on your old parts before removing them. If you’re not replacing any parts, just wipe away any mineral deposits with an abrasive sponge or brush and rinse everything out with warm water.

Solving a Loose Flush Handle

The most common toilet repair is the loose flush handle. The plastic piece that connects the chain to the handle can become loose over time. This causes the chain to hang down and makes it difficult for users to flush properly. To fix this problem, simply remove the handle from its seat and reattach it using pliers or vice grips.

Fixing Leaks at the Toilet Base

If you have a crack in your toilet base, water will seep out under pressure and result in a slow leak. This is usually caused by freezing temperatures over time and can be fixed by replacing the cracked part with a new base or by pouring concrete into the hole where it cracks around your toilet fitting.

Unclogging a Toilet

Toilet clogs are a common problem. Knowing how to unclog a toilet is important because it can happen to anyone at any time. Several different methods can be used to unclog a toilet.

Make sure that there are no foreign objects in your toilet bowl before trying any methods of unclogging your toilet. If there are objects such as paper towels or small toys in the bowl, flush them down before trying any other method of unclogging your toilet.

Most toilets have two holes on the bottom of them; one hole is where water comes out when flushing while the other hole is where the water goes into when filling up with water during normal use (i.e., not flushing).

  • If you have a plunger, use it!
  • Pour some dish soap down the drain, followed by hot water. The soap will help lubricate whatever is causing the clog and make it easier for you to remove.
  • If neither of these solutions works, call a professional plumber for further assistance.
  • Use a closet auger to clear out debris inside your drain line (this should come with instructions). The closet auger is a long, flexible tube with a crank at one end; you’ll use this tool to push through any clogs in your drain line and pull them out of pipes that line walls in bathrooms and kitchens throughout your home).

Rooter Hero Plumbing of Mesa

Don’t put off plumbing repairs, as they can become progressively more expensive. Toilet repairs can be tricky, but fortunately, several DIY toilet repair methods are available to you. All it takes is a bit of research and preparation to get the job done right: close examination of the problem, gathering all of the proper tools and fixtures and following one of the approaches for a successful repair. When in doubt, seek out the assistance of a plumber in Avondale before you end up with more troubles than you already have.

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