Toilet repair is a job that homeowners often end up tackling themselves both because toilet repairs are often reasonably simple and because they are typically quite urgent. Calling a plumber for a toilet repair usually means a high-priced emergency visit. And, any delay in the plumber’s arrival can be problematic if a toilet is overflowing, running, or inoperable.
Fortunately, many toilet repairs are relatively easy for do-it-yourselfers to tackle. All you need is a basic understanding of how this fixture works and some step-by-step guidance.
How a Toilet Works
Start by familiarizing yourself with the basic workings of a toilet. Refer to the illustration below and check out How a Toilet Works & Toilet Plumbing Diagrams for more details.
A toilet’s two main parts are a tank and a bowl. The bowl holds water and connects to the drain for disposing of that water and waste. The tank, which sits up behind the bowl, contains reserve water for refilling the bowl and the devices for flushing water into the bowl and refilling the tank.
One of these devices—called a ball cock—is connected to the water supply and controls delivery of water to the tank. When the tank’s water rapidly drops down into the bowl (upon a flush), the pressure causes the bowl’s waste water to go down the drain. The drop in water level is sensed by a float, ball, or pressure gauge, and this triggers the ball cock to refill the tank.
How to Fix a Clogged Toilet
Toilet mechanisms are simple, but they do malfunction, and when they do—for example, a toilet bowl fills past its usual level and overflows onto the floor—it can be alarming. An overflow is usually caused by blockages in the drain that prevent the waste water from leaving the bowl before the replacement water enters it. You can usually stop the rise of water before it overflows by lifting up the float ball or float. A clog is typically cleared with a plunger or toilet auger, unless it is deep inside the drain pipes—a problem that may require a drain-clearing pro. (For more information, see How to Fix a Clogged Toilet.)
How to Fix a Toilet That Runs
Another typical problem requiring repair is a toilet that runs. When water runs incessantly from the tank into the bowl, typically making a hissing sound, it wastes many gallons of water every day. A running toilet can be caused by a variety of problems with the float arm, float ball, tank stopper, or an inlet valve. See How to Fix a Toilet That Runs.
How to Fix a Toilet That Leaks or Sweats
Water that pools around the base of a toilet can either be caused by leaking at the seal between the toilet and the closet bend (the drainpipe beneath the floor), the seals between the tank and the bowl, or because the tank is sweating, as discussed in How to Fix a Toilet That Leaks at the Base. If you can’t tell whether your toilet’s tank is sweating or leaking where the tank connects to the bowl, squeeze a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank water, wait about an hour, and then dab the tank bolts with a white tissue. If the color shows up on the tissue, the tank is leaking. Otherwise, it’s probably sweating.
A tank typically sweats in the summer when it is cooler than the ambient air, causing moisture to condense on its surface. When the moisture drips down to the floor, it can cause mildew or—worse—dry rot. Toilet tanks can be easily insulated with a lining of foam rubber or polystyrene to prevent sweating. For more about this, see How to Fix a Toilet That Sweats.
If your toilet’s problems or repairs don’t fall into these issues, see Basic Toilet Maintenance & Care for additional tips.
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