Common Toilet Plumbing Problems
Toilets are an important part of your home’s plumbing system. It is important that your toilets work properly in order to keep waste where it belongs. Of course, like any appliance, the parts on your toilet can break down over time. This can lead to issues that range from frustrating to threatening your home.
Proper maintenance and care of your toilets are important, but many homeowners have no idea what to look for in the way of problems. Here, we take a look at some common toilet plumbing problems, what you can do to fix them, and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Common Toilet Plumbing Problems
There are many things that can go wrong with your toilet plumbing, but some problems are more common than others. Put together by DAZ Plumbing & Locating, here are a few of the most common toilet plumbing problems that homeowners face.
- Leaks: A leaky toilet makes a mess and maybe a sign of a more serious problem. If you notice water pooling around the base of the toilet or coming out of the pipes when you flush, it’s time to take a look at the water supply and discharge systems.
- Clogs: If your toilet is sluggish or has little water pressure when flushing, there may be a clog. There could be a clog in the bowl, or somewhere further down your plumbing line. If flushing is slow but the bowl is refilling properly, check for clogs. If you can’t locate a clog, call a plumber.
- Tank Dripping and Filling: When you flush a toilet, the tank fills up with water. If you notice a dripping noise after the tank is full, you might have a leak somewhere in the system. This is a more difficult problem to locate and fix.
- Low Water Level: After flushing, the toilet tank is supposed to fill up completely. If you notice a lower water level than usual after the tank is done filling up, you may have water leaking out somewhere in your toilet plumbing line. Sometimes, this is due to a crack in the piping or on the interior of the toilet bowl. A cracked bowl will need to be replaced.
- Toilet Causing Backing in Sinks: When you flush the toilet, you shouldn’t hear gurgling noises or notice water backing up into sinks or bathtubs. If you do notice this, you likely have a clog in the toilet vent pipe. This type of clog cannot be diagnosed or repaired with at-home tools. You need to call a plumber to investigate this clog.
- Ghost Flushing: No, we don’t mean there is a ghost in your home flushing your toilets. But if you hear the toilet flush for no reason, it is called “ghost flushing”. This problem is caused by water that leaks from the tank into the bowl. It is a huge waste of water – up to 200 gallons per day! You can test your toilet for leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring into the tank. Without flushing, check for signs of the water in the bowl being dyed. If it is, you will need to replace the rubber flapper in your toilet tank.
Any of these toilet plumbing problems can be a hassle. Some of them more than others. A few of them can even cause damage if the water is leaking somewhere in your home’s plumbing system. Water causes damage, but can also lead to mold growth, which is unhealthy.
If you have a toilet plumbing problem and you aren’t sure what to do, the best thing to do is call in a professional. A professional plumber can save you time and money and can help make sure your family is safe.
