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Plumbing guide

Toilet Repair and Installation: A Practical Guide

A toilet is a simple fixture with a small number of parts, so most problems come down to one of the same few failures. This guide covers what each symptom usually means and when to repair versus replace.

Toilet that keeps running

Almost always a worn flapper, a fill valve that will not shut off, or an incorrectly set float. All three are inexpensive parts. If the flapper feels soft, stiff, or warped, replace it. If the tank overfills past the overflow tube, the fill valve or float is at fault.

Weak or partial flush

  • Rim jet holes under the bowl clogged with mineral scale
  • Water level in the tank set too low
  • Partial blockage in the trapway of the toilet itself
  • Vent stack partly blocked so the bowl cannot draw properly

Water on the floor around the base

Usually a failed wax seal, which requires pulling and re-setting the toilet with a new seal. Sometimes a cracked tank or a loose supply line coupling. If the flange under the toilet is broken or below finished floor height, a flange repair or extender is added when the toilet is reset.

Repair or replace?

  • Repair if the fixture itself is sound and the failure is a valve, flapper, or seal
  • Replace if the tank or bowl is cracked, the toilet is older and inefficient, or repeat repairs are adding up
  • New toilets use much less water per flush than older ones, older 13-litre flushes vs modern 4.8-litre

What a proper installation includes

  • New wax seal or waxless seal
  • New closet bolts, and washers
  • Fresh supply line, braided stainless where possible
  • Level and shim to prevent rocking, then caulk around the base
  • Haul away the old fixture where possible

Need a plumber?

A specialist assesses the problem on site before any repair work is priced. Repair options and pricing are explained before approved work begins.

Frequently asked questions

Is a running toilet worth calling about?+

It wastes a surprising amount of water. Parts are inexpensive and the fix is quick, so it usually pays for itself.

Can I install a toilet I bought online?+

In most cases yes. We can also flag when the rough-in dimension or supply configuration will be a problem before we start.

How long does a replacement take?+

A like-for-like swap is typically completed in a single visit, longer if the flange under the toilet needs repair.

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