ph
ph
1000 characters left

Troubleshoot Toilet Problems

Chances are, you don't think too much about your toilet until something doesn't work properly. The toilet is used multiple times a day and are pretty low maintenance. We scrub the bowl, wipe it down and that's pretty much the extent, right? However, when it's not flushing correctly or flushing on its own, it commands our attention. Here are some ways to troubleshoot toilet problems.

Troubleshooting toilet problems

  • Issue #1 - Suspected leaks. If you think that your toilet is leaking, there's a simple test you can perform. Add 6-8 drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. If your toilet is leaking, the color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes. You may need a new fill valve or a new flush valve. This will conserve water.
  • Issue #2 - Ghost flushing. If you've been woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of flushing, when everyone in your home is snug in bed, it probably wasn't a dream! If a toilet is flushing on its own, it may have a bad flapper. A flapper is a rubber piece in the toilet tank. It opens to let water out of the tank when you flush, and closes to allow it to refill. It breaks down due to age and faster if harsh chemical toilet cleaners are used. Once the flapper is repaired, you won't have any more rude awakenings!
leaky toilet, leaking toilet, flange repair, plumbing, toilet, toilet repair, floor repair, emergency service, connecticut, ct, columbia

 

  • Issue #3 - Not flushing. When your toilet doesn't flush properly, it's an indication that there is an obstruction in the drain. The obstruction usually cannot be cleared with a plunger. A snake, or toilet auger, will remove whatever is stuck in the drain. The wire of the auger will "grab" the object as it is twisted to "catch" it for retrieval. To avoid this, we do not recommend keeping anything on the back of the toilet tank that could accidentally fall in. If you have little ones, toilet seat locks can be a helpful deterrent.
  • Issue #4 - Overflows. If your toilet overflows, the drain is clogged. Once the toilet is flushed, the water has nowhere to go but back up. Feminine products and wipes are the two major culprits in toilet overflows. We cannot emphasize enough that wipes are NOT flushable, no matter what the packaging says. They are creating thousands of dollars of damage all over the country!
  • Issue #5 - Leaks at the base. Stepping in toilet water first thing in the morning probably isn't how you'd like to start your day. There are a couple places this leak may be coming from. One source could be the rubber gasket that is bolted in between the tank and the toilet bowl. Just like the flapper, it can break down due to age and use of cleaning chemicals.  The other source could be that the wax gasket bolted between the flange and the base of the toilet has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. We strongly recommend repairing leaks as soon as possible because they can lead to floor damage.

When you should call a professional

If you've run through all the troubleshooting listed above, and still can't identify the problem or make the repair, it's time to call in a professional. We are available for routine plumbing repairs and maintenance, as well as emergency plumbing repairs. Please call us at 860-228-1036 or fill out our Contact Us form to schedule an appointment. For more tips, please follow us on Facebook or Twitter!

 

Rapid Service is located in Columbia CT. We offer plumbing, electrical and heating repairs and installations for Eastern CT homeowners. Our Plumbing Installations include: well pumps, well tanks, water heaters, sump pumps, sewage pumps, toilets and water treatment systems. Plumbing Repairs include: clogged drains, frozen pipes, burst pipes, appliance hookups, clogged toilets, leaking pipes and odor or leak detection. Electrical Installations include service changes, panel upgrades, generators, electric heat, surge protection, outside lighting and interior fixtures. Electrical Repairs include faulty outlets, GFIs, and updating wiring and circuits. Heating Installations include oil or gas boilers. Heating Repairs include baseboard, piping, valves and coils. We offer FULL Kitchen Remodeling and Bathroom Remodeling services too!  Some of the towns we cover are: Columbia, Willimantic, Andover, Coventry, Bolton, Vernon, Ellington, Willington, Tolland, Mansfield, Willlimantic, Ashford, Chaplin, Windham, Lebanon, Colchester, Hebron, Marlborough, Glastonbury, Manchester, Portland, Middletown, East Hampton, Bozrah, Norwich, Franklin, Sprague, Lisbon, Scotland, Canterbury, Guilford, Madison, Haddam, Chester, Deep River, Essex, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, East Lyme, Waterford, New London, Montville, Groton, Ledyard, Stonington, & North Stonington CT. 

Rapid Response Emergency Service!

When you need an emergency plumbing, heating and electrical, you can count on Rapid Service. With teams in multiple locations, we can be at your door fast. Call Rapid Service To
860-337-7099

Depend On Rapid Service Today

Rapid Service has been trusted in thousands of homes for over 30 years. Enjoy our friendly service today.

Schedule a Service Now!

Why Choose Rapid Service

When you need a plumber, electrician or boiler technician in Connecticut, choose Rapid Service and experience their First Class customer care. Providing a red carpet service since 1987.

UP-FRONT PRICING

We will provide you with the full cost up-front - for your ease of mind.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

We all expect to be treated with respect when someone visits our home, whether they're a guest or a trades-person.

CLEAN AND TIDY

We'll use our red carpet mats to cover work areas so any mess is contained and kept to a minimum.

RAPID, ON-TIME SERVICE

We have teams on-call across Connecticut in fully stocked vehicles with spare parts and tools to perform emergency repairs.

FULLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES

We drive vehicles fully equipped with the necessary tools and spare parts to attend to your repair or service on arrival and FAST!

RED CARPET SERVICE SINCE 1987!

We've been providing a red carpet service since we opened our doors in 1987. Read what people say about us here.

Delighting Customers Every Day

  • My thank you seems so small compared to what you have done for me. Your generosity overwhelms me. the faucet is so attractive - I love it! You made my Christmas really merry.

    S. Bombria

    Thank you!!! Rapid Service did a wonderful job transforming 1920s bathrooms in our house. We cannot say enough about the quality and attention to detail of each of these projects.

    Anthony Power
  • The guys at Rapid Service did a whole "make-over" of my son's bathroom in East Hartford in March, 2014. They did a fantastic job - were there when they said they would be, were easy to contact, completed the job in a reasonable time...

    Sue Rissanen

    I had to call my handyman husband Rapid Service yet again! Andy and his crew are the most professional and down to earth people you will ever meet. My husband and I had a house built seven years ago and have had various issues with water, electrical and heating...

    Lisa M.
  • My wife and I own and operate a Bed & Breakfast in our home in Scotland, CT. For a number of years we have used Rapid Service for all our electrical, plumbing, and heating needs. Most recently we had Rapid Service replace a malfunctioning kick heater in our Guest Game Room...

    Bruce & Georgia Stauffer

    I had Rapid Service come to my home because there was a saddle valve under my kitchen sink that was about to make a huge mess. I wasn't able to use my filtered water faucet until the repair was made. The technician fixed it AND had a great attitude while he worked. That is a rare thing lately...

    Kevin S.
  • Great work on replacing my well water tank, Andy. You have been giving us highly competent, clean, and courteous service for the past 28 years. You're the best!"

    Gerald Baril

    My wife and I want you to know that we were very satisfied with our bathroom remodeling that Andy performed professionally, carefully and efficiently. The end result is a bathroom that is properly updated, functions perfectly and looks very attractive...

    Curt F. Beck
Rapid, On-Time

Rapid, On-Time

We are ready for any emergency service, at your location, FAST.

Same Day Service

Same Day Service

We appreciate your time is valuable, and won't keep you waiting.

Tidy Technicians

Tidy Technicians

Your technician will use our red carpet mats to cover work areas. We also clean up before leaving.

Friendly Service

Friendly Service

Our technicians will treat you with care and respect, providing you a customer service you'll enjoy.