The toilet is an essential component of every household’s plumbing system and when they malfunction, they can cause a major inconvenience. While many toilet issues can be handled by a homeowner, such as a routine clog that needs plunging or a toilet that will not stop running, there are circumstances when calling a professional plumber is required.

In this article, we will discuss the circumstances that can occur that require the expertise and experience of a licensed and insured plumber and the consequences of not engaging their services.

Poor Installation

Beginning at the time of installation, some toilets are doomed to malfunction due to poor quality products or installers who lack the knowledge to install the toilet properly.

Rocking Toilet

A weakened subfloor or floor tiles that are uneven can lead to a toilet that rocks. A toilet must be shimmed with plastic shims to ensure it is perfectly level before being bolted to the floor. A rocking toilet will lead to leaks and structural damage if not rectified.

Improper Set Out

The set out is the distance between the wall and the center of the waste pipe. A poorly positioned toilet can lead to bad odors and leaks.

Ignoring Other Plumbing Issues

A newly installed toilet should be accompanied by new plumbing but often times this step is avoided to cut down on costs. A new toilet will a poorly operating shutoff valve ora leaking water supply line is an emergency waiting to happen.

Overflowing Toilet

There are many causes of an overflowing toilet, and the damage they leave behind will be memorable. Here are several reasons why a toilet overflows and why a professional should be called when they do.

Clogged Drain

Clogs in a toilet are not uncommon. Too much toilet paper, items labeled ‘flushable’, or a child’s favorite toy are the usual culprits, and when a drain is blocked, flooding usually follows. A blocked drain will not permit wastewater from exiting the bowl. As the water from the toilet tank rushes into the bowl to help empty it, the water, along with the contents, backs up and lands on the bathroom floor.

Blocked Vent

All plumbing fixtures require outside airflow to help wastewater flow smoothly out of the drainage system. This air is provided by the plumbing vent system, which eventually exits out the rooftop. Birds, rodents, and debris can accumulate inside the roof vent and block the necessary airflow leading to an overflowing toilet.

Blocked Trap

Beneath the toilet is a trap whose purpose is to create a water barrier between the bathroom and the sewer line to prevent sewer gases from entering the room. A blocked trap will not permit wastewater from exiting the toilet properly and will result in an unsanitary overflowing mess.

These issues are best left to a professional since improper repairs can lead to even bigger plumbing issues.

Faulty Water Supply Lines

Toilets only require cold water to function properly, so one cold water supply line runs from the public water supply to the toilet. 

Leaks

Over time supply lines can leak due to wear and tear or higher-than-normal water pressure putting undue strain on the line. This leaking is generally visible, but sometimes the leak can occur behind the wall and, because it is hidden, can last for a long time before it is detected. This wastes water, can destroy the substructures supporting the toilet, and lead to unhealthy mold growth.

Inadequate Flushing

A toilet that has a faulty supply line is not receiving an adequate amount of water. This can lead to a toilet that refuses to flush or flushes weakly.

Flush Mechanism Problems

In today’s environmentally conscious world, water, and energy conservation are popular subjects and are dictating changes in the world of technology. Here are several toilet upgrades that, when malfunctioning, are best repaired by professionals.

Smart Toilets

These types of toilets can be commanded using an app to perform all types of functions, such as cleaning, automatic flushing, and adjustable water temperatures for personal cleaning. When these toilets develop problems, high-tech knowledge is needed to fix them.

Dual-Flush Toilets

In an effort to conserve water a declining natural resource, dual-flush toilets came on the market. These toilets offer two flushing options, one that uses less water to flush liquid waste and one that uses more for solid waste disposal. The flush mechanisms in these toilets require expertise when they need repairing.

Any toilet with these types of upgraded features must meet local plumbing codes and require a professional to ensure the environmental advantages for which they were developed are satisfied.

Repetitive Clogs

We have discussed toilet clogging and how a professional can help relieve these, but when a toilet has been cleared and, within a short amount of time, clogs again, then there may be more at stake than just a simple blockage. This is where a professional really shines.

 Disabled Sewer Line

Every drain in your home from your kitchen sink to your toilet eventually empties into your sewer line. If the line becomes compromised, it will not allow the waste to exit and can be responsible for toilets that repetitively clog. Shifting soil that supports the sewer line, tree roots, improper flushing habits, and aging plumbing are all contributors to a disabled sewer line. 

Aging Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing pipes become corroded over time and are much more prone to clogging, even if a clog has recently been resolved. Hard water plays a role in corrosion which can leave the drain pipe with a rougher surface that can catch waste materials and cause repetitive clogging.

Looking For A Professional to Repair Your Toilet And The Problems Associated With A Malfunctioning Toilet?

As stated earlier, many minor toilet problems can easily be handled by a homeowner, especially with the explosion of DIY videos on the internet upon which to rely. There are, however, more serious problems that require the expertise of a qualified plumber.

We offer outstanding and reliable plumbing services, including those needed for difficult toilet repairs. Call us anytime to request help in solving all your toilet woes and bring your plumbing up to date and operating at maximum capacity so you can enjoy peace of mind and the comfort well-working plumbing can bestow!

Need an emergency plumber in Orange County? Contact us today!