Toilets

Question: I hear my toilet continually filling. Do I need to replace the toilet?
Answer: No, usually either the flapper is leaking or the ballcock fill valve needs to be repaired or replaced.

Question: When I wash my hands in the bathroom sink the toilet gurgles. Why does it do that?
Answer: This can be caused by a blocked vent or most commonly an obstruction in your main drain downstream from the toilet and the sink. You may even get water backing up in to the tub or shower as things get worse.

Question: My toilet appears to be leaking from between the tank and the bowl. What’s causing this?
Answer: Sometimes it can be the gasket between the tank and bowl either starting to fail or the bolts need tightening to stop the leak. Be careful not to over tighten these bolts and crack the tank. Also, the washers on the bolts can fail. They need to be replacing along with the tank to bowl gasket.
Look for hairline cracks in the tank as well.

Question: My toilet keeps overflowing and using the plunger doesn’t help. What should I do?
Answer: There could be a foreign object lodged in the toilet trap or a blockage downstream in the main house drain. Sometimes a closet auger will free the trap. In some cases the blockage won’t dislodge and a new toilet should be installed.
If the clog is downstream, the line should be snaked or water jetted to clear the blockage in the main drain.

Question: I’ve heard that the power flush toilets are the best for heavy family use. Are they as good as they say?
Answer: The power flush toilets do work very well. The only negative thing that I see as a service plumber is that parts for them are somewhat expensive and not as readily available as some of the other models. The American Standard Champion and the Caroma toilets are by far the most reliable for 1.6 Gal. Models. They both have a 2” or greater diameter trap and flush very well. They are somewhat pricey, but well worth it.