Toilet repair isn’t a difficult job and doesn’t need expensive plumbing professionals. Almost any tools needed are inexpensive (all you really need is a plastic cup to catch the leaking water, pliers, a socket wrench, and some rubber or metal tape). I’ve even heard of taking one of that coffee break “vacation” breaks at work. That way you can spend the afternoon repairing your toilet while you sit on the beach.
Leaks in the sink may be due to a clogged drain, backed-up sewer, or faulty waste disposer. Toilet repair to get the job done costs much less than replacing the unit. Most people don’t realize how easy it is to replace just the flange. Simply unscrew the bolt that connects the water line to the flange, pull out the old flange, and replace it with a new one. A new flange will prevent leaks.
If you have a backed-up sewer, a broken flange, or the pipe behind the wall is clogged, you may have to go to the city and get a sewer replacement. It’s best to get a plumber out to the house, they will come to your home. For these repairs, you’ll usually only pay for them if the toilet is running constantly.
If the toilet is only running partially, then you can often easily remove the clog with a plunger. Another simple way is to use an old toothbrush and clean the clog with ammonia (for chemicals) or baking soda (for natural chemicals). Be careful with these cleaners. If you want to do it without a chemical, then use the plumber’s putty (a liquid plaster) and gently scrub away the clog. Don’t forget the sealing tape! When the plumber putting back in the pipes, it will seal against the pipes above and around the toilet.
If the toilet is leaking in the bowl, then you’ll most likely notice a couple of small holes around the bowl. Sometimes these are filled with a liquid to prevent leaks. Other times the holes are big enough for a handyman to replace. You can fill the holes with concrete to make them larger before replacing them. This expands the bowl and makes it easier to see where the hole is located.
Sometimes there is just a clogged toilet that may not be able to be repaired. If this is the case, then you’ll probably need to call a plumber to come to your home. He’ll most likely be able to replace the plumbing by removing the old clog and installing a new one. To find the source of the clog, he will use a flexible wire brush or a plunger. Sometimes a little dish soap will do the trick.
Finally, if the toilet repair cost is higher than replacing, you might want to try putting tar or oil down the drain. This stops the water from flowing out and creates a better work environment. However, you should always remember that fixing older toilets can be dangerous. So, before attempting this tactic, do some research first.
So, now you know how toilet repairs can be done at a fraction of what they cost to replace. If you have a clog, don’t try to fix it yourself. If you have a basic understanding of plumbing, then, by all means, try to tackle this task on your own. But, if you’re like most people, then you’ve probably ignored plumbers for large issues in the past. Don’t make the same mistake – call a good plumber to get your clog fixed.
Toilet repairs often include putting a new liner on the flushing mechanism, installing a new seat, adding a new bowl, or both. Toilet bowl re-finishes are expensive, but many people opt to replace their toilets because they’re old and they no longer turn the toilet bowl off. A toilet may appear to flush properly for a while, but eventually, it won’t flush at all. In this case, to get rid of the smell, you may have to replace the entire toilet.
Leaks in the walls can also cause drains to become clogged. One common problem is slow draining pipes. If you have slow-draining pipes, it may be time to get some newer ones put in. A plumbing company can install new PVC pipes for you that are designed to work harder to prevent leaks. If you have an older system, the pipes may need to be replaced with new ones.
Flapper valves are another area where a professional plumber can help you. A flapper, which is also known as a stop click, keeps water from going to the outlet when the toilet flushes. Sometimes it’s hard to tell when a flapper is leaking. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a plumber check out any repairs you are making to your toilet flapper. Replacing the flapper with a better one will increase the life of your flapper, which means a smaller leaking toilet repair cost.