Toilets can encounter all kinds of problems throughout their lifetime that often cannot be ignored. Fortunately, you don’t always have to call out a plumber. Below are 5 common toilet troubles and how to fix them.
Toilet blockages
Clogged toilets can be messy and unpleasant, and they tend to be the most common toilet issue. If water is draining slowly or not at all, stop flushing. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and grab a plunger if you have one. Make sure it’s a flange plunger that covers the entire hole, and give it a few firm steady pushes.
Still no luck? Pouring hot (but not boiling) water mixed with washing-up liquid down your toilet could potentially shift the blockage.
If that fails you could try using an auger. Alternatively, you could roll up your sleeves and try to unfree the blockage by hand. Most blockages can be removed by following these steps. If not, it’s time to call out a plumber.
Running toilet
A toilet that keeps running after you flush it could quickly become annoying to listen to, plus you’ll end up with a very high water bill. This problem can sometimes be fixed by cleaning or replacing the rubber flapper in your cistern – the stopper at the bottom that controls water flow. They’re cheap to replace and widely available.
Alternatively, the chain attached to the flapper might be too loose or too tight. Adjusting this could potentially solve the issue by allowing the flapper to close properly.
Another reason could be that the water level is too high, causing it to spill into the overflow tube. Lowering the float might fix this.
Weak flush
Does not enough water come out when you flush? Start by checking that float in your cistern – it could be a case that the cistern is not filling all the way up because the float is too low. Adjust the float to a higher position so that the water fills higher.
Clogged rim jets could also be causing this issue. Make sure that there aren’t mineral deposits covering the jest and stopping the water getting in the bowl.
Finally, consider whether a loose flush handle could be the culprit. There should be some resistance when you pull the handle – if it feels very loose, it may need tightening.
Leaky base
If water is pooling around the base of your toilet, you’ll need to repair this soon to prevent mould and water damage. Make sure that your toilet is bolted to the floor securely and that bolts haven’t come loose.
It’s also possible that the rubber seal around the base may be damaged. Fixing this requires turning off the water and disconnecting the toilet – a job that most amateur DIYers might not be comfortable with. Hiring a plumber might be a good choice here.
Slow-filling cistern
Does the cistern take ages to fill after you flush? This is another very common toilet fault that could be caused by debris clogging the fill valve (the plastic component that controls the water supply). It may be possible to clean this valve by removing it and soaking it in vinegar.
The shut-off valve on the wall behind the toilet may also be not fully open, causing the cistern to fill too slowly. By turning it counter-clockwise slightly, you may be able to open it and get water flowing normally again.
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