Flush This: Tips for Dealing with a Troublesome Toilet

Dealing with the demands of owning a home can seem like a full-time job. Every major system in a home will require repair and maintenance at one time or another. If you are like most homeowners, then you take great pride in tackling the repair needs of your residence on your own. When it comes to dealing with plumbing repair and Kansas City toilet repair issues, you will need to take the time to assess the situation and figure out your best course of action. Keeping a toilet functional is no easy job and can be quite stressful at times. Here are some of the things you need to do when attempting to repair issues with your home’s toilet.

Defeating Phantom Flushes

While phantom flushes may sound like a super villain from a low budget comic book, they’re actually a common toilet repair issue. If you’re constantly hearing water trickling into your toilet tank, it’s time to take a closer look. The best way to diagnose the issue is to completely drain the tank, examine your flapper and look closely at the bottom of the tank. If the flapper looks worn or damaged, you’ll need to replace it right away. A running toilet means wasted water and higher bills. Make sure to also check for cracks in the tank. In some instances, these cracks can lead to leaks, which contribute to phantom flush issues.

The Toilet Bowl Empties Very Slowly

Have you started to notice that the bowl of your toilet is emptying at a slower rate? This problem, commonly referred to as a weak flush, can be caused by a variety of issues. The main thing to check when this starts to happen are the holes under the rim of the toilet bowl. If these holes are clogged up, then this type of weak flush issue will begin to happen on a regular basis. Using a small mirror to see the holes and then opening the holes back up with a wire clothes hanger, is an easy way to open to increase your flow. You will also want to take a look to see if the siphon jet at the bottom of the toilet bowl is blocked. If there is a blockage, use the same coat hanger wire to get rid of it.

Ahhhhh! The Dreaded Clog

So you are sitting there, finishing your business, and you go to flush your toilet. All of the sudden, you hear the dreaded sound of water not draining from your toilet bowl. When the ghosts of potty past rear their ugly head in the form of a clog, you need to remain calm. First instinct will be to keep flushing, hoping it all goes away. There are a variety of tools to use when dealing with a toilet clog. Among the most effective tools to use in this situation is a forced cup plunger. Simply insert the bulb portion of the plunger and get to pumping. Slow deep plunges work better than fast shallow ones and are less messy. Look at it this way, using a plunger can both free your clog and help you sculpt your guns. If the toilet keeps rising, buy yourself some plunging time and turn off the water to the toilet until the clog is cleared.

The main thing to remember when dealing with toilet issues in your home is to remain calm. Stressing out over these types of repair problems will only make matters worse.

Actionable Steps:

• Drain the tank of the toilet when dealing with phantom flushes
• Clearing the holes from the toilet rims usually fixes a slow emptying bowl
• Clogs are common and can usually be handled with a forced cup plunger

If you get in over your head when dealing with toilet issues, be sure to call Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C, Rooter for help.