Our plumbers in Gainesville, VA know that toilets aren’t always easy to repair, but they can be. In fact, performing your own toilet repair can be empowering as a homeowner. Here’s what Appleton Campbell needs you to know about how to fix a toilet so you can tackle some issues on your own.
Repair a Running Toilet
If your toilet runs all the time, check the flapper. If it’s not sitting right on the flush valve, water will leak and the toilet will keep refilling. Flappers are easy to replace, though you may just need to reset it.
If that’s not the problem, make sure the water level is low enough so it’s not flowing into the overflow pipe, then refilling. Reset the water level on your refill valve if this is the problem. If this is your issue, your toilet repair in Gainesville, VA is complete!
Repair a Loose Toilet Handle
Tighten the handle mounting nut on the inside of the tank. This may require two sets of wrenches or pliers to complete properly. Note that most mounting nuts have reverse threads, so you will need to turn it counterclockwise to tighten it.
If the lift wire or chain inside the toilet has come loose, simply reattach it to solve the problem.
Repair a Leaky Toilet
If you have water pooling around the base of the toilet, stop using it until you can fix it. Most of the time, you’ll need to remove the toilet and replace the wax ring that provides a seal for the toilet. This is not hard to do and doing it on your own can save you some money.
Make sure you clean up the water before you make the Gainesville toilet leak repair. This water is usually dirty and can cause contamination problems if you don’t clean it up first.
Repair a Clogged Toilet
Fix your broken toilet by plunging it for a simple toilet clog repair in Gainesville. Make sure you get a plunger that has an internal flange as this will help it make the airtight seal that is necessary. You may have to plunge for a minute or two before the clog moves.
If this doesn’t fix your Gainesville toilet, try using a chemical solvent to dissolve the clog. Follow the directions on the bottle to make sure you’re using it properly.
If you cannot fix your toilet or you don’t want to deal with a broken toilet on your own, call us at Appleton Campbell and we’ll do your toilet repair for you. Reach out today to have a Northern Virginia toilet expert at your home soon!