Your toilet is one of the most commonly used parts of your home's plumbing system, which means that it is naturally more likely to develop mechanical issues over time. Issues with your toilet can be a massive disruption to your entire day and can cause all sorts of other complications within your bathroom. Understanding some of the signs associated with a toilet that is no longer doing its job properly can make it easier for you to figure out when you need to get in touch with a professional plumbing contractor to repair your toilet.
1. Leaks
The clearest and most obvious sign that there is an issue with your toilet is if you spot leaks from around the base. These leaks can either be caused by a crack in the toilet's base itself, which is a serious issue that will likely require replacement of the entire appliance, or because of a damaged seal underneath the base. However, before you can begin repairs, you need to first determine if the leak is actually coming from the toilet, or if it is simply water from another source that has pooled. You can figure this out by placing food coloring in the toilet bowl tank. If the water in the bowl changes color, you have a leak that needs to be addressed.
2. Constant Clogging
Another hard-to-miss sign that your toilet should probably be inspected by a professional plumber is if you find yourself having to use a plunger to unclog it relatively consistently – any more than once a month. Clogs can point to a toilet that is not flushing enough water, may be outdated and undersized, or has an underlying problem associated with the plumbing that it is attached to. Getting a professional inspection of your toilet can help you figure out what the cause is, and the best course of action moving forward.
3. Running Water
Finally, the last sign that your toilet needs to be repaired is when you spot a constant flow of running water entering the bowl. This can occur when the components within the tank are damaged or worn out, which causes water to constantly drain from your tank into the bowl. This can result in higher utility bills over time, so getting it fixed early is a sound financial decision. In most cases, the fix is simply to replace a single component, like the flapper or float, to ensure a proper seal between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl.
For more information, contact a company like Ongaro And Sons.