Fast Toilet Repair & Installation
Repairing a toilet that's leaking or constantly running seems like a simple job, but it's often more complicated than it looks. If you're in need of toilet repair, it pays to get a professional to your home to solve the problem, so call us at CW Service Pros. We're the plumbing specialists with the expertise to get the job done right the first time.
Signs of a Problem Toilet
It's usually easy to tell when there's a problem with your toilet. Here are some common signs:
- Water trickles into the toilet bowl or the tank when the toilet isn't being flushed
- The toilet bowl empties more slowly than normal when flushing, or the flush seems weaker than normal
- Water drips or shoots out of the toilet tank
- Water trickles from the pipes onto the floor
- The toilet is clogged and won't flush properly, or water and waste backs up into the toilet when flushing
- The toilet continues running even after flushing stops
- There's water on the floor around the toilet
When Should You Call a Plumber?
As a general rule, if your toilet problem isn't solved by plunging, or you're unable to determine the source of the problem, it's time to call a plumber. You many know what the problem is, but you're just not comfortable trying to make a toilet repair. If so, call an expert for help.
How Does CW Service Pros Detect and Fix Toilet Problems?
When it comes to toilets, the best way to detect problems is to give the fixture a thorough visual inspection. This involves flushing the toilet to see how it behaves during and after the flush. Next, we check the lid, bowl, and other porcelain components for cracks. We also check the floor for signs of leaks and inspect components inside the tank for signs of wear and tear. The solution may be as simple as using a toilet auger to shift a stubborn clog, replacing a worn flush valve, or adjusting the ballcock and water tube so that the tank fills to the right level. These are all simple fixes that can be completed quickly and inexpensively. Sometimes it may get a little more complicated. The most common example is where the problems are more serious, such as a blocked or leaking drain or sewer line. In these cases, the toilet malfunction is a symptom rather than the cause of the problem.
Remodeling a Bathroom
At CW Service Pros, we don't just do toilet repair . If you're doing a full bathroom remodel and are installing a new toilet, we can help with that too. We’ll assist you in choosing a new, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing model to complement your décor, and we’ll install your new toilet! Our plumbers are familiar with an extensive array of brands and can recommend the perfect model for your new bathroom. We'll even remove your old toilet after we install the new one, just to make things a little easier for you.
Your Financing Options with CW Service Pros
We partner with Synchrony and Old Republic Financial to provide financing for purchases, repairs, and installations. Financing terms range from 0% for 18 months to 36 months or more for a low percentage, and we will provide you with labor and material warranties
Call CW Service Pros Today for Expert Toilet Repair and Installation
At CW Service Pros our expert plumbers have the experience to quickly detect the cause of toilet problems and have the skills to get those problems solved. Collectively, our plumbers have more than 150 years worth of experience in all aspects of plumbing, including toilet repair. If your toilet isn't working properly, it's important to get it fixed ASAP! The toilet is one household appliance you can't do without. Water running consistently through the toilet can also add undue expense to your home’s water bill. Call CW Service Pros today, and we'll send an expert plumber to your home to get started solving your toilet repair problem!
Save money and grief!
Common Toilet Repair Questions
What are the Most Common Toilet Repairs?
Some of the most frequent toilet repairs that CW Service Pros plumbers make are:
- Removing a clog that's located beyond the bowl or trapway
- Replacing a worn flush valve, gasket, or flapper. These moving parts are located inside the tank and control the flush mechanism. When worn or broken, they cause problems such as a weak flush or a continuously running toilet
- Replacing a worn or broken flange. This part of the toilet system is located where the toilet trapway meets the waste pipe that connects to the home sewer line. If this is broken, the toilet will often rock side to side or up and down when pressure is applied to the bowl
What Toilet Problems Can You Fix Yourself?
Many minor toilet problems can be fixed by a homeowner. It's important to be aware that these minor problems can indicate a more serious issue with your plumbing. For example, if your toilet is often clogged, there may be an underlying cause of the problem that needs professional attention. The easiest toilet problem for a homeowner to repair is a minor clog. For this, all you need is a flanged plunger designed for use with a toilet. The flanged shape allows you to get a good seal when plunging, so it works much better than an ordinary round plunger. Be careful when plunging not to break the seal at the base of the toilet. If it's broken, the toilet will need to be pulled and reset to replace the wax seal under the toilet to prevent leakage around the base of the commode. Another option to clear a clog is to use a toilet auger, which is useful if the clog is further down the pipe system, rather than being in or just beyond the toilet bowl. Other minor issues, such as trickling water in the bowl or tank, can be fixed by a homeowner if they have some DIY experience. Often the problem is with the float or ballcock inside the tank or a flapper that is not seating properly.
Should I Repair or Replace my Toilet?
For most minor toilet repair, all that's needed is a quick fix to get it running properly again. Even if there are multiple problems, such as a leaking tank or a weak flush, it's possible to make repairs that get the toilet running like new again. Sometimes, it's not cost effective to repair an older toilet. For example, if the porcelain bowl is cracked below the waterline, it's a good idea to replace the toilet. Even a small hairline crack can get bigger without warning and start leaking. Older toilets are also harder to keep clean as the porcelain surface becomes scratched and worn. If you have an older model, you may also find it becomes less effective at flushing as it gets older and needs two or more flushes to do the job. In these cases, it might be better to replace the old toilet with a newer, more efficient model. While replacement does cost more up front, you can save a lot of money by reducing the water needed to run the newer models.
What are my Options in Buying a New Toilet?
A new toilet has several options to choose from, including:
- By federal law, new toilets must use less than 1.6 gallons of water per flush, but by purchasing a dual-flush or high-efficiency toilet, water savings can be even bigger.
- For the biggest water savings, look for a toilet with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense label. These toilets use at least 20% less water than standard toilets.
- Most toilets are two-piece toilets, with a bowl bolted to a tank. One-piece models are also available. These are more expensive but are easier to clean.
- Wall-mounted toilets are a new style option, but these need extra wall bracing and modifications to the plumbing system to install.
- Most toilet bowls are either round or elongated, oval-shaped models, which that are about two inches longer. Elongated toilets provide some extra comfort and need more installation space in front of the bowl.
- Standard toilet height is 14 to 15 inches from the floor to the top of the bowl. Higher toilets of 16 to 19 inches are available too. Higher toilets are often used for tall people, the elderly, or people with mobility issues.
- Choose a toilet model with a larger trapway diameter to reduce the risk of clogging.
- Most toilets have a gravity-flush system that uses the weight of the flush water to siphon it through the bowl and trapway. Pressure-assisted flush systems use pressurized air to force water through the system. This reduces the risk of clogging but they are noisier and more expensive than a gravity-flush system.
What’s Involved in Installing a New Toilet?
Installing a standard toilet typically takes a professional plumber one to two hours. The process involves turning off the water, draining and removing the old toilet, and setting and connecting the new toilet, as well as inspecting connections and fittings for wear and tear. In rare cases, if a toilet has been rocking side to side or front to back, it may indicate a problem with a broken flange which holds the toilet. If this is the case, the plumber will need to replace the flange in order to make sure the toilet is firmly mounted to the floor. This process will take additional time to correct the problem.
What Can I Do to Keep my Toilet Running Smooth?
Toilet malfunctions are annoying and sometimes costly. With good maintenance and proper toilet use, it's possible to prevent these problems from occurring. This means paying attention to what can and can't be flushed.
- Don't flush anything down the toilet apart from waste and toilet paper. This includes tissues and wipes, paper towels, dental floss, feminine hygiene products, old medications, and all items of food and food waste.
- Sometimes you shouldn’t even flush items that are labeled as flushable, such as wipes and feminine hygiene products. To be truly flushable, these items should disintegrate in water just like toilet paper does.
- Try to avoid flushing large wads of toilet paper.
- Keep the toilet tank clear of items that may fall into the bowl and be flushed accidentally.
- Curious children will often try to flush items down the toilet to see what happens, so it's important to teach them not to do this.
- If the flush becomes slow or weak, address this ASAP to prevent serious clogs.
