COMMON TOILET ISSUES & FIXES

Toilet Running or Flushing on its Own

If your toilet is running constantly, most likely there's an issue with the tank. You'll want to open up the tank and check the flush valve area to see if the flapper (attached to the chain) is fully sealing the opening or if there's a gap in the flapper. A gap will allow extra water to seep into the toilet bowl, which will cause the toilet to run constantly to keep the tank filled with water. In this case, the flapper can be replaced in order to create a tight seal. If you replace the flapper and still experience consistent running water, the flush valve will need to be replaced next along with the tank to bowl gasket. To verify that your flush valve or tank to bowl gasket is leaking, administer food dye into the tank, wait 10 - 20 minutes, and then check for colored food dye seepage. If a leak is visibly present, call Reliant today and we can send a plumbing professional to investigate and discuss your solutions to relieve the problem.

Toilet Leaking Around the Base or From the Tank

There are several common leak sites that may occur, and one example is the base of the toilet, where it meets the floor. There should be mounting bolts present that must be kept tight to hold the base in place. If the bolts are loose and the leak is still present with tightening, it may be necessary to check the bolts for damage, as well as the toilet anchor flange and plastic or wax ring that seals and connects the toilet to the waste pipe. Lastly, you may also need to check the toilet base for any cracks, which may require replacement of the toilet bowl or the entire toilet itself. If the leak is coming from the upper tank portion of the toilet, the tank may be cracked or a gasket seal has gone bad.

Toilet Won't Flush

There are a few common reasons why your toilet may not flush. If there is an obvious clog causing the issue, you'll need to turn the water supply valave into the 'off' position and use a toilet plunger to pump water in and try to clear the obstruction. Once the clog passes, then you can turn the water supply back on and flush several times to ensure you have cleared the blockage in the line. If a clog isn't the issue, it's likely the handle or chain inside the tank is loose and needs to be tightened or relieved of some slack so that it'll pull down and raise back up without difficulty.

Toilet Won't Fill with Water

If your tank won't fill up with water, there may be a few different reasons. An easy test is to check to make sure the water supply valve is completely open to let the necessary amount of water through the supply line. If the valve is fully open and there's still a lack of water flow, there may be an issue with your supply line. This is something that can be checked by the level of water pressure, and likely requires the help of a plumbing prefessional who can dig deeper to find the appropriate solution. One common remedy could be replacing the fill valve which controls the toilet's water supply. Here is a video explaining how you can replace the fill valve yourself:

Toilet is Clogged and Smells Like Sewage

If your bathroom is suddenly overrun with a rotten small that won't go away, you may have a sewer gas problem that's coming from your toilet. If the wax ring is broken at the base of the toilet, this may cause the bowl to not fill properly after each flush. If there isn't sufficient water, there may be a leak in the seal, letting sewer gas seep into your bathroom. Since sewer gases can be hazardous, it's best to reach out to a professional plumbing expert who can pinpoint the cause of the issue. If you feel comfortable replacing the seal, here is a video for you:

However, most times a smoke test would be the best way to diagnose where the sewer gases are coming from. This involves expert plumbers and the cooperation of the fire department. Sewer gas leaks are very dangerous and a liability, so if you are suspecting a leak give Reliant a call and we will act with a sense of urgency and professionalism to diagnose and fix your sewer gas leak today!