3 Common Toilet Problems You Shouldn't Ignore

If you're like most homeowners, as long as the toilet still works, you ignore its problems. Like in other aspects of life, it is usually a better idea to address issues head-on, before they turn into bigger problems. Below, we will be detailing some common toilet problems and the reasons you need to deal with these issues.

The Toilet Is Noisy

When your toilet makes noise when it's not in use, it's also wasting water and running up your water bill. Most of the time, a noisy toilet is leaking. If you don't see any signs of a leak outside of your toilet, it's probably leaking inside from the tank to the bowl. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a toilet leak can waste as much as 22 gallons of water a day, which may not seem like much. Yet, if you ignore the leak, that toilet will waste over 8,000 gallons of water in a year.

The Toilet Rocks

Simply tightening the bolts is never the solution when your toilet rocks. (Actually, making the bolts too tight can crack the toilet.) Since the toilet's movement can cause damage, it needs to be removed to inspect the area underneath it. Frequently, a rocking toilet wears down the wax seal. The resulting leak can rot the subfloor. A rocking toilet may also have a cracked flange. Your plumber can repair the damage, find out what caused the rocking, and properly reinstall the toilet.

The Toilet Is Really Old

Older toilets waste water. Government regulations require toilets made after 1994 to use 1.6 gallons per flush or less. If your toilet is over 25 years old, it probably uses between 3.5 to 5 gallons per flush. The Environmental Protection Agency says the average household could save 13,000 gallons of water annually by replacing an older toilet with an efficient one that meets the agency's WaterSense standards. 

If any of these common toilet problems are in your home, a professional plumber can resolve these issues quickly. At The Polite Plumber, we have served the area’s plumbing needs since 1948. Give us a call today to learn about how we can provide you with solutions!

Do It Yourself Plumbing Tips!

We know, plumbing issues are a nightmare. The good news is some of them can be fixed by you, YES you! Below are a few tips on how to maintain a healthy plumbing system, along with tips on how to fix things when your plumbing goes awry.

1. Do you have a clogged toilet? DON'T PANIC! If your toilet becomes clogged just let it sit. Don't plunge, don't call us, just wait. The matter in the toilet will become softer after sitting for a few hours, this will help the toilet to unclog itself. Once you've let it sit for a few hours try flushing the toilet again.

2. Keep a grease cleaning product on hand. Periodically use it in the kitchen drain to help clean out the excess grease that has built up over time.

3. Put a strainer in each tub and shower in your home. This will catch all of the hair before it clogs up your bathroom drain. After each shower empty the hair out of the strainer.

4. DO NOT put banana peels, cornhusks, celery or other fibrous foods in the garbage disposal. It will just clog the system, and cause you major headache.

If all else fails, just call The Polite Plumber at (973) 398-0875. We won't ask how it happened!