When it comes to household plumbing, few fixtures are as vital as the toilet. Yet, despite their importance, toilets are often taken for granted until something goes wrong. Regrettably, ignoring toilet problems can lead to inconvenience, costly repairs, and also water damage to your home. That’s why, in today’s post, we’ll look at a few common toilet issues that homeowners should address promptly.
8 Common toilet problems
- Clogs
A clogged toilet is perhaps the most common issue homeowners face. Attempting to flush items like excessive toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, or non-flushable objects can lead to stubborn clogs. Ignoring a clog can result in an overflow, causing water damage to your floors and surrounding areas. - Running toilet
If your toilet continues to run long after it’s been flushed, you may have a broken or dirty toilet flapper (also called a flush valve), but it could also be something more significant, such as a leak. Unfortunately, a running toilet is not only wasteful but can also significantly increase your water bill if left unchecked. - Leaking
Speaking of leaks, leaks around the base of the toilet or from the tank can lead to water damage and mold growth if ignored. Whether it’s a worn-out wax ring, loose connections, or cracks in the porcelain, addressing leaks promptly is crucial to prevent further damage to your home. - Weak flush
A weak or incomplete flush may be indicative of various issues, including mineral buildup in the rim feed holes, a malfunctioning flapper valve, or problems with the flush handle and chain. Ignoring this problem can result in repeated flushing and wasted water. - Condensation
During humid weather, toilets may develop condensation on the tank or bowl. While this may seem like a minor inconvenience, ignoring it can lead to moisture-related problems such as mold growth and damage to flooring or nearby fixtures. - Toilet tank not filling
If your toilet tank fails to fill up after flushing, it could be a problem with the fill valve, water supply line, or float mechanism. Rather than ignore this issue, which can result in reduced flushing efficiency and cause further damage to the toilet’s components, prompt attention is highly recommended. - Broken flush handle
A broken or malfunctioning flush handle may seem like a minor inconvenience, but it will hinder the toilet’s functionality. Unfortunately, ignoring this problem can lead to frustration and difficulty in flushing the toilet properly. - Cracked bowl or tank
Cracks in the porcelain of the toilet bowl or tank can lead to leaks and water damage if left unaddressed. Whether due to age, improper installation, or physical damage, ignoring cracked toilet components can result in costly repairs down the line.
Contact a plumber at the first sign of a toilet problem
As you can see, ignoring toilet problems can lead to a host of issues ranging from inconvenience to extensive water damage and costly repairs. Promptly addressing any signs of trouble can help maintain the functionality and integrity of your toilet and prevent more significant problems from arising.
If you’re dealing with any of the issues mentioned above, contact a qualified plumber to diagnose and resolve the problem before it gets worse.
Residential plumbing services for Greater Birmingham
Here at Polar Bear Services, we offer residential plumbing services in Mountain Brook, Hoover, and throughout Greater Birmingham. In fact, our highly trained and fully licensed plumbers are ready to help you with all your plumbing repairs! In addition to toilet repair and replacement, we offer:
- Drain cleaning
- Leak repair
- Sewer line repair
- Water heater repair and replacement
- Garbage disposal repair and replacement
- Water pressure troubleshooting
- Froze pipe repair
- Emergency plumbing services
- And more!
Whether your toilet is malfunctioning or you have a full-blown plumbing emergency, you can count on our local plumbing team to take care of the situation! To get started, schedule an appointment by filling out our online form or simply call the Bear!
