Toilets are used multiple times on a daily basis. It’s a good idea to have some knowledge of how they operate so you can identify any problems that may come up.

Common Toilet Problems & Fixes

1. Weak Flush. If you have a first generation 1.6 gallon flush toilet, it’s probably destined to fail. If it’s made before 1994, hard water deposits may be the source of your problem. A muriatic acid cleaning should help. Do this by mixing one-part acid to 10 parts water. Use a funnel to carefully pour one half of this solution down the overflow tube in the toilet tank. You need to be EXTREMELY careful to avoid the fumes and DO NOT splash this solution into your eyes, on your clothes, the carpet, etc. You may want to run the bathroom fan. You will immediately hear a fizzing noise. It will not hurt the toilet. Let the acid work for about 30 minutes and pour the remaining solution down the overflow. Another 30 minutes with a flush should give some improvement.
2. Strong with a Partial Flush. The flapper valve is possibly waterlogged and dropping too fast. Watch this valve while flushing. It should remain up until 80% or more of the water has drained from the tank. If it drops sooner than that you’ll need to install a new flapper.
3. Phantom Flusher. This occurs when the tank fills with water as if it were flushed. This means you likely have a leak. You can do a food coloring dye test to see if this is the problem. You can add food dye to the tank when all the water has stopped running into the tank. When 5 to 10 minutes has passed you can look to see if the water in the bowl is colored. If it is, the flapper isn’t sealing completely and you’ll need a new one.
4. Water Level in Bowl is Dropping. If you flush the toilet and after a while there has been a drop in the water left in the bowl you may have a blockage of toilet paper in the colon of the bowl. You need to get a flashlight and look up inside to see.
5. Double Flusher. This issue happens when the water level in the tank is set too high. All you need to do is lower the level for improvement.
6. Whistling Sound. A whistling sound may be due to the ball float causing vibrations. Older toilets use these. Replace it with a new toilet tank fill valve.
7. Dripping After Tank has Filled. If you hear dripping after the tank has filled it could be due to a syphon problem. Check the small flexible tube that runs from the bottom of the valve to the top of the toilet overflow tube. The purpose of this tube is to fill the toilet bowl with water that is lost during flushing. Check to make sure this tube hasn’t fallen into the overflow valve as it will cause dripping.
8. Sluggish Flush. This could be caused from a partial clog or actual clog downstream from the toilet. Try taking a 5 gallon bucket of water and dumping it down the toilet as quickly as possible. If water backs up into the bowl and drains slowly, it’s a clog. If the flush is more vigorous, then it’s unlikely to be a clog.

Toilet Installation, Replacement & Emergency Repair Plumbing Services in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas

If you find yourself dealing with a toilet issue that you can’t solve on your own, just call Orsack Plumbing Company to fix it. Orsack Plumbing Company can handle all your plumbing needs!