Basic Toilet Problems

Toilets are a fairly simple and innocuous bathroom appliance, except for the occasional time when you flush and the water actually rises in the bowl, versus descends. In such an instant find the shut off valve to the toilet and turn it off quickly. The valve should be located just under the toilet tank. Then grab your plunger and relieve the clog that has obviously occurred.

Sweating Toilet

Toilet tanks also have a tendency to sweat during the summer months due to hot, humid air coming in contact with a toilet tank filled with cold water. To eliminate a sweating toilet you can install insulating rubber or foam material inside the tank to prevent this problem.

This situation occurs when the float arm does not raise high enough to turn off the inlet valve inside the toilet. Sometimes this happens due to the float ball filling with water, or the inlet valve stopper no longer shutting off properly.

When this situation occurs, check the float ball and the inlet valve assembly. Both can easily be replaced and parts can be found at any home improvement store.

Toilet Doesn’t Flush Well

This could be caused by the toilet flapper not rising up far enough, or staying up long enough, when you push on the toilet handle. Remove the toilet tank cover and check the toilet lever arm to see that it operates correctly. Make sure it pulls up the toilet flapper high enough and long enough to allow a sufficient amount of the toilet tank water to enter into the toilet bowl.