We've all been there. You answer the call of nature, but when you go to flush, everything goes wrong. The toilet handle breaks off. Maybe the toilet fails to flush. Or, worst of all, you've got a toilet clog and now it's overflowing all over the floor. You scramble to find the water shut off in a hurry. Then, you're left wondering where to turn for an Edmonton plumber who can take care of a toilet repair.
Sometimes, a broken toilet means that you need to replace the toilet completely. Other times, you can get by with a DIY or professional toilet repair. But you might not be familiar with the common causes of a broken toilet. Some, after all, are more common than others. But familiarity means that you don't need to panic when you notice an issue. That's why our expert Edmonton plumbers have put together the following list of the most common causes of a broken toilet.
7 Common Causes of a Broken Toilet
1. Clogs
Everyone knows that toilets get clogged every now and then. Usually, they're easy enough to resolve with your basic household plunger and a little bit of effort. However, sometimes they're more stubborn and require a professional plumber to deal with the issue. Clogged toilets are never a fun home repair, but they're the most common cause of a "broken" toilet here in Edmonton.
Often, the culprit is an excessive amount of toilet paper or accidentally flushing items that really shouldn't be flushed (i.e., feminine hygiene products, wipes). However, it also could be due to a buildup of debris within the toilet's drain pipes or even mineral buildups resulting from hard water.
2. Worn or Faulty Flapper Valve
Next up for common causes of toilet breakdown is a worn or faulty flapper valve. If you have a damaged or misaligned flapper valve, then the toilet could demonstrate several different symptoms. These could include a continuously running toilet, the toilet not flushing properly, or the toilet tank not refilling.
Deteriorated toilet flapper valves are the most common culprit for running toilets and a skyrocketing water bill. Replacing the flapper valve is, generally, a fairly straightforward task if you're a handy homeowner. Here is a quick outline of the steps needed to replace a faulty or deteriorated flapper valve:
- Close the shutoff valve behind your toilet to turn off the water supply. Then, flush the toilet to drain most of the water out of the tank.
- You will remove the old flapper by disconnecting the chain from the flush handle lever and unhooking it from the pegs inside the toilet tank. Typically, the flapper has "ears" that either snap off or slide off the pegs.
- Install the new flapper by attaching it to the pegs and reconnecting the chain to the flush lever. You want to ensure that the chain has some slack to allow for proper movement without becoming stuck underneath the flapper.
- Finally, you can turn the water back on and test the flush to ensure that the flapper has a proper seal, stopping your toilet from running continuously.
3. Loose or Worn out Connections
Are you noticing leaks around the base of the toilet or the bottom of the toilet tank? It's a serious cause for concern since a leaking tank means replacing a toilet completely. However, the more common cause is loose bolts or loose connections, which result in a leaking toilet. The frequent culprits in such cases are the mounting nuts and water supply tubes. If these are worn out or loose, water can seep out and puddle on the floor surrounding your toilet.
4. Faulty Fill Valve or Float
Sometimes, problems with the fill valve assembly or an improperly adjusted float can result in the tank overfilling or your toilet running continuously.
5. Loose or Corroded Flush Handle
Maybe the toilet handle broke off when you went to flush. In that case, you're going to need to replace it in order to fix the problem. A loose or corroded flush handle can result in your toilet not flushing properly or cause it to run continuously. It's a relatively easy fix for most homeowners, since all that needs to be done is to tighten or replace the handle.
6. Cracked Tank or Bowl
Physical damage is a serious cause for concern. If you're noticing cracks in the toilet bowl or the tank, that results in leaks and can cause serious damage to your home and subfloor if not dealt with promptly. Repair, at this point, is not an option, so you're going to need to invest in a toilet replacement from an experienced Edmonton plumber.
7. Damaged Wax Ring or Broken Flange
Lastly, another cause of a broken toilet is the wax ring or toilet flange. If your toilet is leaking around the base or it's unsteady and rocking when you sit on it, chances are the culprit is a damaged wax seal or toilet flange. The most common causes of this are either loose bolts that hold the toilet to the floor or an uneven floor. Still, the results are the same: leaks around the toilet base and an unsteady toilet.
What Can You Do About a Broken Toilet?
The above are all the most common reasons why you might have a broken toilet. However, many of these problems can easily be resolved with simple DIY repairs that you can do yourself to fix your toilet. Sometimes, all that needs to be done is to swap out a broken part for a new one.
However, sometimes you need professional help to fix a broken toilet. In those cases, you need the expert team from Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Edmonton. Our experienced team can help install a replacement toilet or with basic repairs. Call or contact us online today to see what we can do for you!
