How to prepare for emergency toilet repairs in Atlanta homes.
Can a Plunger Handle the Problem?
If your toilet won’t flush, the first thing to try is a plunger. You can buy a plunger at a hardware store for a few bucks. Your local dollar store probably carries plungers, too. Place the rubber part over the hole at the bottom of your toilet and push it down firmly and vigorously several times. Then, lift the plunger up and away from the hole.
Is the toilet draining? Even if just a little water trickles down the drain, it’s a good sign. There is no harm in trying the plunger several more times. It could knock loose whatever is clogging the drain.
Still No Progress? Try a Drain Cleaner
When you go to the hardware store, grab a bottle of drain cleaner. Even if you don’t need it this time, it’s a good thing to have on hand for the next toilet emergency. If the plunger doesn’t clear your toilet clog, use the drain cleaner. Follow the instructions on the bottle. These products use caustic ingredients to burn through whatever is clogging the drain. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call a plumber to snake your toilet drain.
Is Your Toilet Problem Located in the Tank?
The back tank of your toilet fills with clean water every time you flush. An old flapper or another broken mechanism can cause your toilet to run continuously — that’s because the tank is never quite full. If you are handy with mechanical devices, replacing the faulty element can be a quick fix. Be sure to shut off the water supply to the toilet before you start replacing the guts of it.
Flappers act like the stopper at the bottom of your bathtub; they prevent water from running out of the tank until you flush. Rubber flappers start to crack after a few years. As they fail to seal properly, you will notice your toilet running more often, sometimes even between flushes.
A chain connects the flapper to the flush lever and the float. A broken chain means the toilet will not flush at all. A broken or missing float will allow the toilet to run indefinitely. If you are not the handy DIY type, just shut off the water supply by turning the silver knob behind your toilet. Then, make an appointment with your preferred Atlanta plumber.
Is Your Toilet Problem Something Completely Different?
Toilets are durable. However, a cracked toilet requires replacement. Over time, the seal underneath the toilet will lose its ability to seal water within the pipes. Rubber elements will deteriorate and fail. Even though toilets last a long time, they will still require maintenance at some point. Whenever you are in doubt about what’s wrong or how to fix it, your Atlanta plumber can help you get your toilet back in business.
Morningside Plumbing is Atlanta’s Trusted Service Provider
If you don’t have a plumber on speed dial, consider Morningside Plumbing. Our reputation for friendly and reliable service is the cornerstone of our business. We take customer satisfaction seriously, and no job is complete until our clients are happy with our performance. Click or call us at 404-873-1881 for no-rush or emergency toilet repairs in Atlanta.