Common toilet plumbing problems

For the most part we take indoor plumbing for granted, particularly the toilet, and if anything goes wrong it can be particularly unpleasant. This article runs you through some common toilet plumbing problems, most of which are quite straight forward to solve.

Common Problems

Clogged Toilet

A clogged toilet is probably one of the most common toilet problems you'll encounter, and in most cases, you won't need to call a plumber. A specialised toilet plunger with an internal cup or flange will handle most clogs.

Leaky Toilet

Toilets are the cause of one of the most common leaks in the home, with around 1 in 10 homes and businesses having a problem. A toilet leaking clean water from the cistern to the pan can waste up to 400 litres of water a day, this can add around £300 a year to your water bill if you don't get it fixed.

The sound of a constant trickle at the back of the toilet pan is an obvious sign that something isn't right. You might be able to hear a leak which will make it easier to locate, but some leaks are silent and easy to miss.

You can detect a leak in your toilet plumbing by:

• Wiping the back of the pan dry with toilet tissue half an hour after a flush.
• Place a new, dry sheet of toilet tissue across the back of the pan.
• Leave it in place for up to three hours without using the toilet, or overnight.
• If the paper is wet or torn in the morning – you have a leaky loo.

You might be able to fix this yourself; The water level in the tank is controlled by an adjustable float. If the float is set too low it produces a weak flush; if it is set too high, water spills into the toilet overflow and the fill valve won't shut off so the toilet continues to run. You can adjust the float until the water shuts off at the proper level.

If the problem is more involved you might need to call a plumber.

To save water and consequently money, don’t delay fixing your toilet. If you have a faulty toilet cistern, think about having a dual flush version fitted, this will save you several litres of water every time you flush.

Mould or damp around the toilet base

While a little condensation is not unusual, a puddle of water or patch of mould at the base of your toilet indicates a real problem. There is a good chance this water is dirty, so it would be best to avoid using your toilet until it's fixed if at all possible. Mould or water around the base of your toilet is likely to mean that there is a leak in the wax seals on the toilet pipes. This problem can be fixed by lifting the toilet and replacing the old wax ring with a new one.

If you need help with a toilet plumbing problem and you live in North London, Essex or Suffolk, contact ABS Plumbing and Drainage to get it sorted quickly and easily.