CoMMon toIlE t ProBlEMs

A clogged toilet is one of the most common plumbing

problems. If a toilet overflows or flushes sluggishly,
clear the clog with a plunger or closet auger. If
the problem persists, the clog may be in the main
wastevent stack.
Most other toilet problems are fixed easily with
minor adjustments that require no disassembly or
replacement parts. You can make these adjustments
in a few minutes, using simple tools.
If minor adjustments do not fix the problem,
further repairs will be needed. The parts of a standard
toilet are not difficult to take apart, and most repair
projects can be completed in less than an hour.
A recurring puddle of water on the floor around
a toilet may be caused by a crack in the toilet base
or in the tank. A damaged toilet should be replaced.
Installing a new toilet is an easy project that can be
finished in three or four hours.
A standard twopiece toilet has an upper tank
that is bolted to a base. This type of toilet uses a
simple gravityoperated flush system and can easily
be repaired using the directions on the following
pages. Some onepiece toilets use a complicated,
highpressure flush valve.

the flush valve to stop the flow of water into the bowl. The
ball is attached to a lift wire, which is in turn attached to
the lift rod. A ballcock valve is usually made of brass, with
rubber washers that can wear out. If the ballcock valve
malfunctions, you might be able to find old washers to
repair it, but replacing both the ballcock and the tank ball
with a floatcup assembly and flapper is easier and makes
for a more durable repair.

A modern floatcup valve with flapper is inexpensive

A pressureassist toilet has a large vessel that nearly

and made of plastic, but is more reliable than an old

ballcock valve and ball.

fills the tank. As water enters the vessel, pressure builds

up. When the toilet is flushed, this pressure helps push
water forcefully down into the bowl. As a result, a
pressureassist toilet provides strong flushing power
with minimal water consumption.

An older toilet may have a tank ball that settles onto

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ProBlEMs & rEPaIrs

Problems

Repairs

Toilet handle sticks or is hard

to push.

1. Adjust lift wires.

2. Clean and adjust handle.

Handle must be held down

for entire flush.

1. Adjust handle.
2. Shorten lift chain or wires.
3. Replace waterlogged flapper.

Handle is loose.

1. Adjust handle.
2. Reattach lift chain or lift wires to lever.

Toilet will not flush at all.

1. Make sure water is turned on.

2. Adjust lift chain or lift wires.

Toilet does not flush

completely.

1. Adjust lift chain.

2. Adjust water level in tank.
3. Increase pressure on pressureassisted toilet.

Toilet overflows or flushes

sluggishly.

1. Clear clogged toilet.

2. Clear clogged main wastevent stack.

Toilet runs continuously or

there are phantom flushes.

1. Adjust lift wires or lift chain.

2. Replace leaky float ball.
3. Adjust water level in tank.
4. Adjust and clean flush valve.
5. Replace flush valve.
6. Replace flapper.
7. Service pressureassist valve.

Water on floor around toilet.

1. Tighten tank bolts and water connections.

2. Insulate tank to prevent condensation.
3. Replace wax ring.
4. Replace cracked tank or bowl.

Toilet noisy when filling.

1. Open shutoff valve completely.

2. Replace ballcock and float valve.
3. Refill tube is disconnected.

Weak flush.

1. Clean clogged rim openings.

2. Replace old lowflow toilet.

Toilet rocks.

1. Replace wax ring and bolts.

2. Replace toilet flange.

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(Text) (Ray)

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