Common Toilet Repairs and How to Handle Them

When your toilet’s not working right, there are plenty of ways to troubleshoot it yourself before calling in a professional. Often, problems like a toilet not flushing or not filling with water can be a simple fix that takes just a few minutes of time and some tinkering.

Our guide on toilet repairs will help you troubleshoot the most common toilet issues — and how to know when to throw in the towel and call a plumber to finish the job.

Running Toilet

A running toilet wastes water and increases your utility bill. Fortunately, this is usually an easy fix once you identify the root cause.

Symptoms

You might hear or see water continuously flowing into the bowl — even if you haven’t flushed recently. If you check inside the tank, there also might be visual signs of wear on the rubber valve between the tank and the bowl (the flapper).

Common Causes

• Faulty flapper: The rubber flapper inside the tank may not seal properly, allowing water to leak.
• Malfunctioning fill valve: A fill valve that doesn’t shut off can lead to continuous water flow.
• Misadjusted float: If the float is set too high, water can overflow into the overflow tube, causing a running toilet.

Fix

• Replace the flapper.
• Repair the fill valve by adjusting the float or replacing the fill valve altogether.
• Lower the float if it’s set too high to prevent overfilling.

Toilet Won’t Flush Properly

If your toilet is experiencing flush problems, the issue often stems from tank-related issues, clogs, or water level concerns.

Symptoms

When your toilet won’t flush, you might need to flush multiple times to clear the bowl. You might also notice water draining slowly or not at all.

Common Causes

• Clogged flush valve: When the flush valve is clogged, it can’t open all the way.

• Broken fill valve: This prevents new water from entering the tank for a flush.

• Low water level: If the water level in the tank is too low, there may not be enough pressure for a complete flush.

Fix

• Clean or replace the flush valve if it’s blocked.
• If you’re having toilet fill valve problems, replace the fill valve.
• Set the water level in the tank to the proper height to ensure a strong flush.

Toilet Is Clogged

Whether you’ve got a toilet clog because of too much toilet paper, foreign objects, or a slow-draining system, you’ll need to act fast to prevent overflow.

Symptoms

You may notice that the toilet bowl overflows often or doesn’t drain properly. You could see the clog in the bowl, or it could be further down the line.

Common Causes

• Excessive toilet paper: Using too much toilet paper or toilet paper not rated for flushability can cause blockages.
• Foreign objects: Items like wipes, sanitary products, or toys can obstruct the drain.
• Low water pressure: Toilets with low water pressure can struggle to flush properly.

Fix

• Try plunging the toilet to break up the clog.
• Use an auger to clear the blockage deeper in the drain.

Leaking Toilet Base

A leak at the base of your toilet can lead to serious water damage on your bathroom floor.

Symptoms

Water pooling around the base of the toilet may indicate a leak. You might also see cracks or damage to the wax ring that seals your toilet to the floor or the bowl itself.

Common Causes

• Loose or damaged wax ring: The wax ring between the toilet and the floor can degrade over time.
• Cracked toilet bowl: A cracked toilet bowl itself can leak water.
• Loose bolts: The bolts securing the toilet to the floor may loosen, allowing water to escape.

Fix

• Remove the toilet, replace the old wax ring with a new one, and secure the toilet back into place.
• Tighten the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor.
• If the bowl is cracked, replace the toilet.

Toilet Tank Leaks

Leaks from the toilet tank can waste water and cause damage over time. They often go unnoticed until they result in higher water bills or visible moisture around the toilet.

Symptoms

A toilet tank leak often results in water pooling near the toilet or a hissing sound from the tank. You might also hear your tank constantly refilling even when the toilet isn’t in use.

Common Causes

• Cracked toilet tank: A small crack in the tank can cause slow leaks. Unfortunately, toilet tank repairs are difficult.
• Loose water supply line: If the connection between the water supply line and the tank is loose, it may leak.
• Worn-out flush valve or fill valve: A failing valve can cause slow leaks inside the tank.

Fix

• Tighten or replace the water supply line if needed.
• Replace a faulty flush valve or fill valve.
• If the tank itself is cracked, you’ll have to replace the toilet, as repairing a leaking toilet tank isn’t possible.

Phantom Flushes

If your toilet flushes by itself, it’s not haunted — probably. It’s likely a slow leak from the tank into the bowl.

Symptoms

Your toilet will flush itself when no one’s using it, seemingly at random. If you don’t catch the initial flush, you’ll still hear the sound of water refilling inside the tank.

Common Causes

• Worn-out flapper: A degraded flapper allows water to slowly leak from the tank, eventually triggering a refill.
• Faulty fill valve: If the fill valve refills the tank unnecessarily, it can mimic a flush.

Fix

• Replace the flapper to ensure a proper seal.
• Adjust or replace the fill valve if needed.

Wobbly Toilet

A wobbly toilet may seem like a minor issue, but it can indicate a deeper structural problem that needs immediate attention.

Symptoms

When you sit on the toilet, you’ll feel it rock or shift beneath you. Upon inspection, you might also see loose or missing bolts at the toilet’s base.

Common Causes

• Loose bolts: If the bolts securing the toilet aren’t tight, the toilet will wobble.
• Deteriorated toilet flange: A broken flange — the fitting that secures to toilet to the drain pipe — can’t properly secure the toilet to the floor.
• Weak or rotted flooring: Water damage or age can weaken the subfloor beneath the toilet.

Fix

• Tighten or replace the toilet bolts.
• Inspect and repair the toilet flange if damaged.
• If the subfloor is weak, you may need a professional to manage the situation.

When To Call a Professional

If you know your way around a toilet, many of the above issues are manageable on your own. But there are times when you’ll need professional plumbing assistance. Signs the problem might be more serious than you can handle include:

• Persistent leaks despite replacing seals and gaskets.
• Frequent clogs that don’t respond to plunging or augering.
• Water pooling around the toilet base due to a cracked porcelain fixture.
• Sewage odors that linger.

You might be wondering — why should a plumber handle repairing toilets? It’s because they have the tools and experience needed to get the job done right.

For example, if you’ve never installed a toilet before, there’s a good chance you might overtighten the bolts and crack the bowl. Or, if you forget to tighten a bolt and start a water leak, you could face thousands of dollars worth of water damage.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

One way to avoid home toilet repairs is with regular maintenance. A few simple habits can keep your toilet functioning properly and reduce the chances of you needing to break out the tool kit:

• Inspect for leaks regularly: Check around the base, inside the tank, and at the water supply line for signs of moisture.
• Clean mineral buildup: Hard water deposits can clog jets and weaken the flush. Use vinegar to dissolve buildup.
• Avoid flushing non-flushable items: Wipes, cotton swabs, and paper towels can easily clog your pipes.
• Test the flapper annually: Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank; if the color seeps into the bowl without flushing, you may need a new flapper.
• Check the toilet’s stability: If your toilet rocks, tighten the bolts or inspect the flange for damage.

Get Expert Help Troubleshooting Toilet Problems

Toilets are built to last, but occasional repairs are inevitable. By understanding the most common toilet problems and how to fix them, you can save money and avoid bigger plumbing issues.

However, when a problem seems beyond a DIY fix, calling a professional is the best course of action. Roto-Rooter plumbers are here to help whenever your toilet stops working — even on holidays and weekends. Schedule an appointment with a Roto-Rooter professional now.