Tag: running

Tools of the Trade that Keeps Toilets Running

Ever Wondered What Tools Plumber Use?

Even in an age of DIY projects, plumbing remains a mystery to most people. Maybe this is because plumbing projects can be gross, or maybe it’s because most plumbing is technical work that people would rather leave to professionals. Regardless, demystifying plumbing is important so that homeowners can know how to proceed when plumbing problems arise. By learning more about their home’s plumbing, homeowners can be empowered to make smart decisions and know how to hire reliable contractors. 

As a guide, local plumbers have given the following information about one particularly pesky plumbing problem: clogged toilets. 

How Plumbers Deal with Clogs

Toilet clogs are a fairly obvious and urgent plumbing problem. Toilet clogs manifest themselves in water and waste backing up into the toilet basin. For homeowners and plumbers alike, there are a few different ways that toilet clogs can be dealt with. The options are:

  • Plungers: Plungers are the first line of defense against toilet clogs. Even if the homeowner has tried plunging a toilet clog, a plumber will likely try the same strategy before moving on to more serious tools. 
  • Snakes: Plumbing snakes are tools that are designed to fit around the curves in a home’s plumbing. They can be mechanically or manually spun to bite into clogs so the clogs can then be pulled out. Snaking should generally be left to the professionals. 
  • Pulling the Toilet: In extreme situations, a plumber may need to remove the toilet from the stack to clear a clog. This will probably only be necessary because of toys or other solid debris that gets caught in the toilet trap.  

Other Common Toilet Issues

Toilets are generally very reliable, but they do have some other common problems that professionals can easily fix. One of the most common is a running toilet. Running toilets can be fixed easily by replacing the tank kit. The cost of replacing the kit will be small compared to the amount of water a running toilet can waste.

Another common issue with toilets is when they start to wobble on their stack. When they begin to wobble, it can mean that the floor is rotting from a small leak and that the wax ring is compromised. When the wax ring is gone, sewer gas will be allowed to leak up into the bathroom and create nasty smells. The problem can be easily fixed by professionals. 

How Plumbers Replace a Toilet 

Replacing a toilet isn’t a hard job, but it is best left to professionals. If a homeowner decides they need a new toilet, the steps that a plumber will take to replace it are: 

  • Loosen the bolts on the current toilet
  • Remove the toilet from the stack
  • Scrape off the remainder of the wax ring from the stack
  • Install new wax ring on the bottom of the new toilet
  • Properly set new toilet on the stack
  • Tighten down new hardware to keep the toilet in place and protect the wax ring 

About Heidler, Inc. 

Heidler, Inc. serves residential and commercial customers in the Annapolis area. Prompt service from Heidler, Inc. means that homeowners are waiting around with a mess on their hands. Their skilled technicians are always ready to handle any plumbing problem a local homeowner may be facing. Give them a call today for expert toilet repair in Annapolis, MD.

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Catch (And Fix) a Running Toilet Before It Is Too Late!

A Running Toilet Is No Joke

Is your toilet running? Maybe it signed up for a 5k; you’d better go catch it! A classic joke for a common household problem. Unfortunately, no homeowner finds a running toilet amusing.

The sound of constant running or cycling water in the tank is not only an annoyance, but that’s also the sound of money quickly leaking away. That’s because a running toilet is more than just background noise–it is an active plumbing leak that can waste gallons of water every day. Read on to learn what causes a running toilet, and how to fix and prevent them in the future.

Two Main Reasons Behind Running Toilets

There are two main things that are causes for a running toilet:

  1. The flapper: Also known as a “flush valve seal”, this is the plug that keeps water in the toilet’s tank until the next flush. If the seal had hardened or broken, water is able to leak out, causing the water in the tank to continuously have to refill.
    To test for a leaky flapper, take a paint stick and push down on the flapper. If the running stops, the flapper is the cause. Homeowners can also check the flapper chain to ensure it isn’t getting caught on anything and has enough slack (but not too much) to let the flapper create a good seal.
  2. The fill valve: After every flush, the toilet tank refills with water via the fill valve. If this component is leaking, then it is constantly running new water into the tank.
reasons behind running toilets

To test for a fill valve leak, flush the toilet. Check the fill valve for a leak. Adjust the float to see if the leak stops. If it continues, the fill valve is the reason behind the running toilet.

Basic Steps and Tools for Fixing Running Toilets

Flappers and fill valves are both available at most home improvement stores and come with instructions for installation. Most homeowners can complete the following steps themselves to fix a running toilet:

  1. Determine the cause, using the methods listed above.
  2. Purchase the necessary part(s) from a home improvement store. For flappers, homeowners may have difficulty locating a new one in the exact same size or shape. In this case, it is recommended to purchase a universal flapper.
  3. Replace the faulty component by installing the new pieces, per the instructions on the packaging. Be sure to turn off the water supply and empty the tank completely before installing a new fill valve. Some tools that may be needed while fixing running toilets are:
  • fixing running toiletsHacksaw
  • Pliers
  • Screwdriver
  • Wrench

For homeowners that are uncomfortable working on the toilet themselves, calling a professional plumber can save both the time and hassle of fixing running toilets.

Tips for Preventing Running Toilets

Making sure that all of the components in the toilet are working properly and efficiently is the only way to prevent running toilets. Leaks happen naturally as part of normal wear and tear, but by fixing problems early and not letting a running toilet run for very long, homeowners can avoid losing money as it trickles out to cause bigger damage down the road.

preventing running toilets

Additionally, if you need help, you can always contact a local plumber. Not only will they be able to help you with your initial running toilet issues, but also they can work with you to prevent these problems in the future.

About Heidler, Inc.

Heidler, Inc. has earned the Angie’s List Super Service Award for twelve straight years. Their licensed plumbing and heating technicians offer unparalleled plumbing services in Annapolis and surrounding areas. Serving customers since 1947, Heidler, Inc. has developed a reputation for being trustworthy with its clients.

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