The toilets in your Shreveport, LA home are used daily. It’s not uncommon for toilets to experience occasional problems because of their exposure to ongoing wear and tear. Some issues are very minor and can be fixed quickly. Others will need to be addressed by an experienced professional. Let’s look at the most common problems that occur with toilets.

Toilet Clogs

It is common for bathroom toilets to become clogged, especially if objects were being flushed that didn’t belong there. This includes things like baby wipes, cotton swabs, paper towels, clumps of hair, etc. It’s also common to experience a clog if you try to flush too much material at once. The age of your toilet and plumbing can also play a role in how often your toilet clogs.

Some toilet clogs can be removed using a standard plunger, especially if the clog occurs at the curved trap area of the toilet. If the clog is further down your plumbing system, specialized equipment may be needed to fix the problem. If you do use a plunger to try and fix the issue yourself, make sure that you have a separate plunger that you use only in your bathroom. It’s not sanitary to use the same plunger for your kitchen as you do your bathroom.

Keep in mind that a clogged toilet won’t always stop the flow of water completely. You may simply notice a decrease in flushing power or not as much water trickling back into the bowl.

Overflowing Toilet Bowl

Often caused by a clog, water overflowing from your toilet bowl can be a disaster. Not only is this dirty water that you need to clean up, but water damage can quickly occur to your flooring, baseboards, and lower walls. Quickly turn off the water supply to your toilet to stop the flow of water. This valve is usually located right behind the toilet, near the floor.

You can try to plunge the toilet to see if that causes the water level to drop back down. A plumbing snake or auger may be needed for difficult clogs.

Toilet Continues Running

A continuously running toilet is a common plumbing issue that is often overlooked as it may not immediately cause visible damage or disruptions in the bathroom. However, neglecting this problem can result in wasted water, leading to higher utility bills. It is important to address a running toilet promptly to avoid unnecessary expenses and conserve water resources.

Your toilet running can be caused by things like a worn or old flapper, the chain getting caught under the flapper, or the chain breaking entirely. These parts are affordable to replace, and it doesn’t take long for them to be installed.

Weak Toilet Flushing

If you experience a decrease in water flow when flushing your toilet, it may indicate a potential clog or obstruction in your plumbing system. This issue can also be caused by more serious problems such as tree root intrusion into your pipes. To accurately diagnose the reason for your toilet’s improper flushing, our professionals use specialized cameras to inspect your plumbing system and identify the underlying issue. This comprehensive approach allows us to address the root cause of the problem and provide effective solutions to restore your toilet’s flushing functionality.

Water Level Issues

The water level in the bowl of your toilet can be adjusted. Some people choose to set the water level lower to save money. Setting it too low can limit the power of your flushes. Water levels that are set too high can cause your toilet to reach the overflow level and run more often.

Damaged Toilet

The actual structure of your toilet can become damaged when something hits it. While a toilet is made of very strong porcelain, enough of an impact can cause an issue. If the damage is extensive, you may need to replace the entire toilet. However, small chips and surface cracks can usually be repaired using an epoxy product.

If your toilet seat or lid becomes damaged, these parts can be easily replaced. They are made from plastic, and you can remove them.

Stained Toilet Bowl

Even after cleaning your toilet, you may notice that there are discolorations that remain. It can be hard to get rid of these stains if they are caused by hard water. Avoid using caustic chemicals in your toilet bowl. These chemicals can be hazardous to your health and also cause permanent damage to your plumbing system.

Try using a pumice stone to clean your toilet to remove stains. With a little effort, you should be able to get the bowl clean.

Toilet Tank Slow to Fill

We talked about the bowl of your toilet not filling up with water quickly enough. However, the tank that is close to the wall may also experience slow water flow. This problem may be caused by an issue with the valve that is connected to the back of your tank and has plumbing attached to it that goes through the wall.

Make sure that the valve is completely open. Turn it completely to the left. You may have accidentally hit the valve when you were cleaning, causing the valve to shift into a partially closed position.

Loose Flush Handle

The handle on your toilet is used multiple times each day. Over time, this mechanism can experience damage from wear and tear. Its components can become loose. Many times, the fix for this issue is very simple and requires us to tighten a few fasteners or screws. If there is permanent damage to your handle, we can replace it completely. This is a very affordable fix that we can complete quickly to get your toilet working correctly again.

Smelly Toilet

Does your bathroom and toilet smell even when they are clean and nobody has used the bathroom? You may notice that the odor is sewer-like. If the toilet has not been used in a while, this can cause the water to dry up in the pipes. This produces a slightly odd smell. Flush your toilet to get the water flowing again, and this should fix the issue.

There may also be a clog that is causing the smell, but it is not yet large enough that it’s causing a noticeable stop in the flow of water. We can check your toilet for you to see if there are any obstructions.

Lastly, a damaged sealing ring can allow noxious odors from inside your plumbing system to come back through your toilet and into your bathroom. Our plumbers can replace this seal for you.

If you are experiencing an issue with your toilet and would like assistance from a company that you can trust, reach out to our team at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co.. We can help diagnose and repair the most common toilet problems. In addition, we also service garbage disposals, water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. We provide leak detection, piping, repiping, sewer lining, water filtration, camera inspections, and tankless water heater installations. Contact Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. today to schedule an appointment for all your plumbing needs.

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