Common toilet problems we repair
Flapper
A warped or cracked seal is a common cause of a running toilet.
Fill valve
Mineral buildup from moderately hard water can affect how smoothly it operates.
Flush valve
A worn seat can prevent sealing even with a good flapper.
Tank bolts
Loose or corroded bolts can cause a slow leak between tank and bowl.
Flapper, fill valve, or flush valve?
A running toilet is almost always one of three things — inspecting the tank while it runs and checking each component individually is the reliable way to tell them apart. Adding food coloring to the tank and watching for color in the bowl without flushing can be a useful clue toward a flapper or flush valve issue, but it won’t catch mineral buildup or a valve that only fails intermittently. If jiggling the handle hasn’t held, an inspection is the most direct way to confirm which part needs attention.
Leak at the base & flange damage
Water at the base after flushing usually points to the wax ring or closet flange rather than the tank hardware. Confirming the flange’s condition typically requires removing the toilet. See leak detection and repair.
Toilet problem, or drain-line problem?
A low-flow design, a partially blocked trapway, or a rocking base that’s shifted its seal can make a toilet clog more than it should. In other cases, the toilet clears normally but the drain line behind it is narrowed by buildup or a grade issue, and clogs return no matter how well the toilet is working. If a toilet clogs repeatedly after being cleared, or multiple fixtures are slow at once, the drain line is worth checking — see drain cleaning.
Deciding on repair or replacement
A targeted repair may be enough
A worn flapper, fill valve, loose handle, or minor tank-to-bowl leak on an otherwise sound toilet.
Replacement may be more practical
A cracked tank/bowl, badly corroded flange, or a toilet that keeps rocking after tightening.
Repeated clogging can mean the toilet, or the drain line behind it — see drain cleaning.
Choosing rough-in & water-efficient options
Rough-in measures the distance from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the drain, and it determines which replacement toilets will physically fit without modifying the floor — getting this wrong before purchasing is a common reason installations get delayed. Water efficiency is worth weighing alongside comfort and fit; the EPA’s WaterSense program identifies toilets that meet efficiency criteria while maintaining performance, a useful reference when comparing options.
Toilet installation process
Confirm symptoms & system
What you’re experiencing, when it started, and whether it affects one toilet or more than one fixture.
Inspect & test on site
Tank components, the base and flange connection, and the surrounding floor, tested directly rather than assumed.
Explain findings & options
What a repair involves versus replacement, and any limits like a flange or subfloor issue to address first.
Protecting the floor & testing the seal
Removing and resetting a toilet means working directly over a finished floor, so protecting that surface matters as much as the plumbing itself. Once a new wax ring or flange repair is complete and the toilet is reset, the connection is tested by flushing and checking for movement at the base and any sign of water escaping beneath the bowl before the job is considered finished.
Toilet repair FAQs
Why does my toilet keep running?
A flapper that no longer seals, a fill valve that won’t shut off, or a worn flush valve seat.
What causes a toilet to leak at the base?
Most often a failed wax ring or damaged closet flange rather than tank hardware.
Can a rocking toilet damage the flange?
Yes, over time it can loosen or damage the flange — worth checking sooner rather than later.
Why does a new toilet still clog?
The underlying drain line may have a partial obstruction predating the new fixture. See drain cleaning.
How do I know the toilet rough-in size?
Measured from the finished wall to the center of the floor drain — we can confirm it during a visit.
Should I repair or replace a cracked toilet?
Replacement is generally the practical option for a crack — it typically can’t be sealed long-term.
Running, clogging, or leaking toilet?
Schedule an inspection today.