Toilet repair: the short answer
A toilet that runs, flushes weakly, rocks or leaks at the base usually needs a simple part: a flapper, a fill valve, a wax ring or new bolts. An overflow or a clog a plunger won't clear can usually be fixed in one visit, but if several fixtures back up at the same time, the main line is the likely problem. Call (207) 555-0163 to speak with a local plumber in the Portland area.
Common toilet problems
| What you notice | Common causes |
|---|---|
| Runs or refills on its own | A worn flapper, a misadjusted float or a failing fill valve |
| Weak or incomplete flush | A partial clog, a low water level in the tank or blocked rim holes |
| Clogs often | Too much paper, things that shouldn't be flushed or a problem further down the line |
| Water around the base | A failed wax ring, loose bolts or a cracked bowl |
| Rocks when you sit | Loose closet bolts or a damaged flange |
| Leaks between tank and bowl | Worn tank bolts or gasket |
For other problems, see our overview of plumbing services in Portland, ME.
How urgent is it?
An overflowing toilet: close the valve behind it now.
Turn the shutoff valve on the wall behind the toilet clockwise to stop the water. A leak at the base isn't an emergency, but don't leave it, because water can soak the subfloor and the ceiling below, which matters in a triple-decker or condo where someone lives underneath.
Quick checks you can do
- Dye test: put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait about 15 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl means the flapper is leaking.
- Plunge properly: use a flange plunger with a good seal and steady pushes, not a few hard jabs.
- Check the tank: make sure the chain isn't tangled and the float isn't set too high.
- Skip chemical drain openers in a toilet. They rarely clear the clog and make the job harder.
What not to flush
- wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable
- paper towels, tissues and cotton balls or swabs
- feminine products and dental floss
- grease or food
Repeated clogs with none of these can point to the drain line. See drain cleaning.
Repair or replace the toilet?
Most toilet problems are fixed with inexpensive internal parts. Replacement makes more sense when the bowl or tank is cracked, the toilet clogs constantly because of its design, parts are no longer made for it, or you want a more water-efficient model. Portland Water District's water is very soft, about 8 mg/L hardness, so mineral buildup is less of a reason to replace valves here than in hard-water areas.
What happens during a toilet repair visit
Diagnose
Check the tank parts, the flush, the base and the floor around it.
Clear or repair
Auger a clog, replace the flapper or fill valve, or pull the toilet to replace the wax ring and bolts.
Check the flange and floor
When the toilet comes up, the flange and subfloor are checked for damage.
Test
Several flushes to confirm it fills, flushes and seals properly.
What affects the cost
- The fix: a tank part versus pulling and resetting the toilet.
- Flange or subfloor damage found once the toilet is lifted.
- Clogs further down the line that need a longer cable or a camera.
- A new toilet, if you choose replacement, and haul-away of the old one.
See the plumbing cost guide.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is this a repair, or would replacement save money over time?
- If you pull the toilet, will you check the flange and subfloor?
- Do you supply the parts, and what's the warranty?
What to have ready when you call
- what the toilet is doing, and whether it's overflowing now
- whether other drains are slow or backing up
- which floor it's on, and whether anyone lives below
- the toilet's age or brand, if you know it