Your toilet is one of the hardest-working fixtures in the house, and most people don't think about it until something goes wrong. By the time a toilet fails completely, it may already have damaged the floor, the subfloor and your water bill. Here are five signs it needs attention, and what to do about each one.
1. It runs constantly
A toilet that keeps running after the flush isn't just annoying. It can waste a lot of water every day without you noticing until the bill arrives.
The usual causes are a worn or warped flapper that no longer seals, a float set too high so water spills into the overflow tube, or a fill valve that won't shut off. Our moderately hard water also leaves mineral deposits inside the tank that wear out rubber and plastic parts faster than normal. These are quick fixes, usually done in one visit.
2. It clogs often
An occasional clog is normal. Reaching for the plunger once a week or more means something deeper is wrong. It could be an early low-flow toilet without enough flush to clear the bowl, a partial blockage in the drain line, or the start of a sewer problem. Roots in older sewer lines are common in established neighborhoods.
If plunging isn't solving it, stop forcing it. A partial blockage further down the line keeps causing clogs no matter how often you plunge, and it may need Drain Cleaning or a camera to see what is going on.
3. Water pools around the base
Water on the floor around the toilet is never something to ignore. It can look minor and still rot the subfloor, loosen tile and damage the framing below. In a cold, damp bathroom, that moisture can also lead to mold.
The usual causes are a failed wax seal at the base, a cracked base or bowl, a loose connection between the tank and bowl, or condensation on a cold tank in humid weather, which is less serious but still worth checking. A failed wax seal can be fixed, but the toilet has to be pulled and reset to do it right. A cracked base means replacement.
4. There are cracks in the tank or bowl
Hairline cracks in porcelain are easy to miss until they leak. A crack in the bowl is the more dangerous one, because it can fail suddenly and flood the bathroom. Even a small crack in the tank can seep slowly and damage the floor over time.
Run your hand along the outside of the tank and bowl for moisture, look for white mineral trails that follow a slow leak, and check inside the bowl. A cracked toilet can't be reliably patched. If you find a real crack, replacement is the right call.
5. It rocks when you sit on it
A toilet that moves when you sit down breaks the wax seal at the base, which lets sewer gas into the bathroom and water under the floor. Over time it can crack the toilet itself.
Sometimes the floor bolts just need tightening. But if the subfloor has gone soft from an old leak, the repair involves more than the toilet. Have it looked at before a small fix turns into a bathroom floor repair.
Repair or replace?
Not every toilet problem means a new toilet. Flappers, fill valves and handles are inexpensive and quick to replace. Replacement makes more sense when the toilet is 20 to 25 years old and keeps having problems, when repairs approach the cost of a new one, when the toilet is cracked, or when you want a more water-efficient model.
We'll give you an honest answer either way. Our Toilet Repair work is quoted flat-rate in writing before we start, there is no service fee, and every repair carries at least a 1-year warranty. Call (224) 567-2501. We serve Des Plaines, the North Shore and the northwest suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my toilet needs to be replaced?
Replace it if the tank or bowl is cracked, if it is 20 to 25 years old and keeps having problems, or if repairs approach the cost of a new toilet. Most other problems can be repaired.
Can a cracked toilet be repaired?
No, not reliably. A crack in the tank or bowl can fail suddenly, so a cracked toilet should be replaced.
Why is water leaking around the base of my toilet?
Usually the wax seal under the toilet has failed. The toilet needs to be pulled and reset on a new seal, and the subfloor checked for damage.
Is a rocking toilet a big deal?
Yes. The movement breaks the wax seal, which can let water under the floor and sewer gas into the room. Have it fixed before the subfloor is damaged.