Archive for March 23rd, 2010

Many people never give any thought to the issues that can develop with their plumbing, and in particular their toilet. Toilets are often not thought about, as long as they work with no problems.

Unfortunately when one of your toilets backs up, stops flushing as advertised, or won’t stop running, you realize your toilet needs proper repairs and maintenance. Unlike dishwashers or refrigerators, many basic toilet issues can be fixed by the homeowner.

In the Joliet and Orchard Park Illinois area for Joliet plumbing visit Courtesy Plumbing at Plungeit.com – Plumbing service available 24/7/365.

Low flow toilets are often harder to fix or adjust. They use a mechanism that provides extra pressure to a smaller amount of water, making the bowl flush cleanly while using less water. Most of these toilets use a cylinder in the water tank to boost the force of the flushing action.

This force can often be adjusted if there is not enough flush pressure by using a dial or crank in the tank. When one of the parts is broken or stops working properly fixing or replacing them may not be easy. Like trying to fix your own water heater, you can do more damage by taking it apart and attempting to repair it. The biggest problem is that you probably won’t have the right tools.

One very common issue with regular flow toilets occurs when the toilet no longer flushes properly. There are several reasons why this can happen. You may have a broken trip lever, a broken or disconnected chain, or a malfunctioning rubber stopper.

If the trip lever breaks or comes loose from the handle, the toilet can’t flush. It is not unusual for the chain connecting the trip lever and rubber stopper to come unhooked. The rubber stopper plugs the drain in the bottom of the tank. When the stopper is pulled up water flows out and into the bowl. A corroded or cracked rubber stopper can be replaced fairly easily. Luckily all of these parts can be purchased at any hardware store and easily replaced.

If your toilet has a problem you feel you can’t fix yourself you should contact a professional plumber. In the Joliet and Orchard Park Illinois area for Orchard Park plumbers contact Courtesy Plumbing – Plumbing service available 24/7/365.