Whether you call it the “loo”, the “head”, the “can”, or just the plain old bathroom, we all need a functioning toilet in our Waterford, MI homes. Occasionally, those toilets need some tender loving care to work properly. The good news is many toilet repairs can be handled without calling in the professionals from Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

How it works

A toilet has two components, the tank and the bowl. The tank holds water until you push down on the flush handle which opens a valve at the bottom of the tank. The water now rushes down from the tank and into the bowl. The rushing water forces waste out of the bowl and into the drain and sewer lines.

Common problems

The toilet bowl has no moving parts but there are two separate mechanisms in the tank that can wear out over time. Both are USUALLY pretty easy to repair.

The fill valve

This works to refill the tank after a flush. When the water level drops the valve to the water supply opens. When the water reaches a certain level the valve closes. The most common problem is a valve that doesn’t shut off properly.

The flush valve

This is usually a rubber flapper or a float ball that seals the opening between the tank and bowl until the flush handle is activated. When the valve gets worn the flapper no longer seals properly and water leaks from the tank into the bowl continuously. This wastes a lot of water and leads to higher water bills.

Leaking toilet bowl

If you find a puddle of water on your bathroom floor it usually means the seal between the bowl and drainpipe has started leaking. This isn’t nearly as common as problems with the toilet tank, but almost always requires the entire toilet be removed so the wax gasket can be replaced. Unless you are a very hand do-it-yourselfer this is a job for a plumber. Also remember, when water leaks from the toilet bowl onto the floor this is wastewater that has been in contact with raw sewage, so the proper precautions need to be taken.

A plunger is your best friend

The most common bathroom problem is the clogged toilet. The good news is a good old fashioned plunger will remove the clog about 90% of the time. If the clog is stubborn you may have to work at it for a while, but 15-20 plunges will almost always do the trick. If the clog still remains, then professional help is likely the best solution.

Kotz is ready to help

While many toilet repairs are simple in nature, there can always be complications. Calling on Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to help comes with two advantages. Any plumbing repairs made by us in your home are fully guaranteed for one year, and you don’t have to get your hands dirty. Schedule your convenient appointment with Kotz today.