Broken Toilet? Here’s Five Likely Problems and Their Solutions

Did you know small leaks can waste about 10,000 gallons of water every year?

If you’ve ever been in the unfortunate situation of having a broken toilet, then you know it can be a very scary and frustrating experience. It can be very difficult to know how to fix a broken toilet, and many people are afraid that they will break the toilet even more.

If you want to learn how to fix a broken toilet without spending too much money or taking up your entire weekend, then keep reading.

1. Leaking Toilet Tank

If your toilet is not working, it could be because your tank is leaking. The good news is that there are a few things that you can do yourself to fix it.

First, make sure that the water level isn’t too low or too high. If you see water around the base of the tank, chances are that there is a crack somewhere inside of it and this will only get worse.

You should also check for any cracks in the flange where the tank sits on top of the bowl. Take off the lid from your toilet tank and look down into it with a flashlight if you have trouble seeing inside.

You should be able to see any cracks or holes in the bottom where water has been leaking out of your tank onto your floor. If this is what’s happening, then you need to replace your entire toilet so this doesn’t happen again.

2. Running Toilet

A running toilet is the most common problem that plumbers have to deal with.

Toilet bowls have a hole in the bottom that allows waste to drain into the pipe leading from the toilet to the sewer line. If this hole becomes clogged with debris, it will cause the water to run constantly.

To fix this problem, you need to remove the lid from your toilet tank and lift out the float ball. The float ball is attached to a rod that goes up and down as water levels change in the tank.

When it reaches a certain level, it triggers a mechanism inside your toilet’s valve assembly that opens or closes an internal valve. You can see this in some models as an arm with a pin at its end extending from under the tank top.

Put on some rubber gloves so you don’t get any chemicals on your hands. Wear safety glasses, too.

Gently use pliers or vise grips to remove any debris caught around this pin. Then rinse everything off with warm water and put it back together again.

If the problem persists, it’s time to replace the ball. You can buy a new one at your local hardware store. They’re cheap and easy to install.

3. Clogged Toilet

If your toilet won’t flush, it’s usually not because of the toilet itself. It’s usually because of the pipes that connect your toilet to the main line.

The most common cause of clogs is too much toilet paper. If you’re using too much paper, or if you’re not flushing enough times per day, your pipes can get clogged.

To fix this problem, remove as much of the clog as possible with a plunger. If that doesn’t work, try pouring hot water down the drain with a bucket and letting it sit for 15 minutes before trying again.

If your toilet is not flushing after removing the clog, you may need to call the local plumbers to snake out your pipes.

4. Slow Toilet

This is the most common toilet problem that plagues homeowners regularly. Here are a few things to check:

The float ball on the flush valve may be stuck or not working properly. This can be adjusted by removing the lid, then tapping on the float ball with a screwdriver handle. If this doesn’t work, the float ball needs to be replaced.

The flapper valve may not be closing after each flush. This can happen if there is too much water pressure in your home’s plumbing system or if you have recently installed an aerator on your faucet.

You can try adjusting the water setting in your home’s circuit breaker panel if this is happening to you or replace your flapper valve altogether. If you are still having problems after trying these tips, it is possible that your toilet needs to be replaced.

5. Noisy Flapper

If you’ve got a noisy toilet, it can be one of the more annoying household problems. If you’re hearing a constant tapping sound, the flapper valve may be to blame.

The flapper opens and closes to let water into the toilet bowl. It’s usually controlled by a lever or rod attached to the handle of your toilet tank.

A worn-out flapper can lead to problems like running toilets and flooding. To make sure yours isn’t broken, flush your toilet and watch how fast the water level goes down.

If it takes longer than usual for all the water to drain, it could be time for a replacement.

The easiest way to replace a flapper is by removing it from its seat with a screwdriver or wrench. You’ll want to buy new hardware that matches up with your old flapper.

If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a plumber. It’s important to choose the right replacement flapper for your toilet. The wrong one could cause problems like leaks or slow draining.

Find a Quick Fix for Your Broken Toilet

If your toilet needs a quick fix, there are plenty of resources out there to help you.

But if it’s time to make a more permanent fix, consider calling a plumber. They’ll be able to give you a few more options and help get your broken toilet working again quickly. With the right information, you won’t be left scrambling for answers when you have repairs to make.

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