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Electricians- SA and PlumbersToilet Plumbing Problems and Installations by our Professional Teams. From faulty and leaking toilets to toilet replacements and new installations.
I’m looking for toilet plumbers near me.
We can help. As an established toilet repair company we will have a toilet repairman conduct an inspection and quote you on site for the work that needs to be done.
We are fairly priced and experienced. Our plumbers are certified and our excellent back office team makes sure that the correct spares, parts and advice is available on hand for you every step of the way.
We stock high quality parts within your budget range. You can feel assured that our workmanship is top quality.
1) Toilet Plumbing and Installations
2) Toilet Problems
3) Toilet Repairs
4) Leaking Toilets
5) Common Toilet Leaks
6) Running Toilet
7) Toilet Running Fix
8) Blocked Toilets
9) How to Fix a Blocked Toilet
10) Toilet Wont Flush
11) Toilet Replacement
12) Should I Replace my Old Toilet?
13) DIY Toilet Replacement
14) DIY How to Repair a Toilet
15) Toilet Installation
16) Do I have a Plumbing Emergency?
17) When to Contact a Plumber
18) Sources
Your toilet is consists of two main parts: the toilet bowl and the upper toilet tank (also called a toilet cistern.)
1. The toilet tank holds the water that is released each time you flush the toilet. This is where moving parts are held and where most problems arise. The important valves and handle are located inside and on the tank. Most toilet problems can actually be fixed yourself by checking and either adjusting or replacing parts. If you are unsure about fixing a toilet yourself give us a call and we will gladly assist with any toilet problems you may be facing.
2. The toilet bowl rests on the floor and has no working parts. It is normally made of a solid piece of porcelain and seldom needs to be repaired.
Below you will find a list of common toilet problems and the toilet repairs that we can confidently service.
We have been in business for many years, gaining experience in both electrical and plumbing as well as renovations and solar. It is with this expertise that we can optimistically and assuredly offer you a quality service.
Our teams of toilet repairmen provide fast and effective toilet repairs to any make of toilet. Faulty toilets need not bog you down! Call us for prompt toilet repair service.
If you are looking for DIY steps on how to pinpoint and fix your toilet, keep reading or jump down to the section called How to Repair a Toilet.
Is your toilet leaking?
Repairing a leaking toilet is something you want completed as soon as possible.
We suggest giving us a call simply because hiring a professional plumber means that you don’t need to worry about sourcing the right parts that need to be replaced, whether those parts only need adjusting or if the job is done right. Our professional plumbers also have all the right tools and experience needed to efficiently repair your leaking toilet.
Why should I get my leaking toilet fixed quickly?
Leaving a toilet that leaks unfixed can mean that you are wasting liters upon liters daily. Don’t delay in getting the problem fixed. Call a qualified toilet plumber.
As well as water causing damage to your home like the floors and ceilings below water that leaks from a toilet can be harmful to the environment too. The leaking water provides a breeding ground for diseases and even attract unwanted pests such as rats, snakes and cockroaches.
1) Remove the toilet tank / cistern lid – and then flush the toilet.
2) After the flush valve (flapper) and tank ball drops (if your toilet uses one) and the tank refills – add several drops of dark food coloring.
3) Wait for at least 20 minutes.
4) If you can see any trace of the food coloring in the toilet bowl then you know that there is a leak.
Yes, we need a toilet, but the aggravation it can cause!
If you’ve ever experienced water all over the floor from your toilet or a toilet that doen’t even flush then you know that it can also become very stressful.
If your toilet is leaking from the toilet base it is most likely caused by the wax gasket failing. The wax gasket seals the toilet to the floor. When you toilet is installed this gasket should be watertight. So if your toilet is leaking at the base, the likely cause is that the wax seal needs replacing.
We suggest that you save yourself the time, expense, mess, accidents and further aggravation by calling our reliable toilet plumbers. We are friendly, experienced and professional.
In order to rule out and pinpoint that the wax seal is the problem of your leaking toilet run through these steps.
1) VISUAL CHECK: Have a good look at the base of the toilet to see if the water is definitely leaking from under the toilet. The source of the leak could actually be from a few different places and shows up at the base. eg. The shut-off valve could be faulty, the water supply line could be loose, the toilet bowl could be sweating and there could even be a crack in the toilet bowl.
2) DRY IT OUT: If the visual check doesn’t help you determine that the source is the gasket then soak up the water from the floor and dry the toilet entirely. This will reveal if the leak is coming from the water line or the water pipe behind the toilet going into the wall. If this is the case, then the water line needs to be replaced.
3) TIGHTEN THE TOILET: If you have determined that the water is leaking from under the toilet then tighten the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor to stop the leak. Release the plastic cover caps that cover the bolts with a screwdriver or another thin metal object such as a putty knife.
4) TIGHTEN THE BOLTS: Using gentle pressure tighten each bolt with a wrench one by one. Then tighten each one a bit more. Be cautious however as tightening these bolts too much may crack the porcelain toilet base.
DID IT WORK?
If the toilet still leaks at the base, then you need to replace the wax gasket.
To replace the wax gasket, the toilet needs to be removed.
THIS is a tricky job and we highly suggest to call us in to assist.
If however you want to take a chance and remove your toilet seat yourself read more in this article.
PHONE A RESPECTED AND EFFICIENT PLUMBER to work on your toilet.
061 439 2346
To pinpoint where your toilet is leaking from here are a few steps you can follow:
Firstly to see if your toilet is leaking place a few drops of food colouring in the tank and do not flush.
If after a few minutes the colouring goes into the bowl – you have a leak.
Now check the following:
TANK NOT FILLING UP:
1) Flush and check if the tank fills properly. If the tank does not fill with water, the float ball is not properly returning to the correct seat.
2) Check to see if the link / chain that connects to the trip lever is properly connected.
3) If the link / chain is fine then the ball needs to be replaced. A worn flush valve ball can be replaced with a flapper ball.
TANK FILLS UP:
4) If the tank does fill up properly and water flows down the overflow tube (in the middle) then the problem is the valve not shutting off correctly. Here are a few things to check…
FLOAT BALL ADJUSTMENT STOPS WATER FLOWING:
5) Lift up the float ball to see if this stops the water from filling past the level and flowing down the overflow tube. This means that the float ball is not sitting properly in the tank. There are two causes:
a) The float ball need to be adjusted lower. At the base of the rod is a screw. Adjust the screw to lower the ball so that the water level is now about 2cm below the overflow tube.
b) The ball is leaking. It may be cracked or water leaks in from elsewhere. Replace the ball or flapper.
FLOAT BALL ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT STOP WATER FLOWING:
6) If when you lift the float ball, and the water does not stop flowing then the valve is your problem.
The valve may need to be either repaired or replaced.
7) If the water constantly runs, turns on and off and does not flow down the overflow tube then either the flush ball or the flapper is not sitting tightly onto the flush ball seat. Old flush ball seats can become pitted and rough. Mineral and other deposits in the water build up on the seat and allow water to leak past the seal and down the drain.
8) If it is worn then replace the flush ball or the flapper.
9) If it still leaks, clean the seat with steel wool to take off all deposit buildups. Then cover with a repair seal… or simply replace the seat.
Watch a Short Video on How to Detect the Most Common Toilet Leaks
So your toilet is running. Yes, the water is running away faster than a gazelle, and your water bill is running up too. By leaving the problem you will become annoyed by the constant sound of water dripping. You may have considered gentle water sounds as a form of meditation, but a toilet running is not the way to enlightenment.
So get it fixed.
If you find that it is time to replace parts, make sure that you firstly find compatible parts for your make of toilet. If you are unsure, call a toilet plumber. If you don’t know a good toilet plumber who you can trust to provide an honest quality service then call us.
You can more often than not actually fix a running toilet yourself. The problem occurs when either the flapper does not propelry seat when the flush valve opens. Another cause may be the water level is too high and it flows over the top of the overflow pipe into the bowl. As we mentioned above in How Do I Check Where my Toilet is Leaking from? finding the cause is the first step of actually fixing your running toilet.
Every toilet has an adjustable refill valve allowing you to adjust the level of the water in the toilet tank.
If the problem is the flapper valve, they too can be easily adjusted or even just replaced.
So by taking the time to investigate the FILL VALVE ASSEMBLY and the FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY will in most cases solve your problem. See below.
If you fancy yourself a DIY toilet repair person, here are the steps to follow:
1) Make sure you have what you need – here’s the list of all the toilet parts and tools:
2) Check the Overflow Tube Height
PARTS OF THE FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY
The overflow tube may actually be too short. This will cause water to run all the time. It may be that an incompatible flush valve assembly was used. If the overflow tube is the correct height then the problem may be the water level of the fill valve.
See Parts of a Toilet below
The level of the water in the toilet tank should be set to about 2-3cm below the top of the overflow tube.
If the water level is already set higher, adjust the float rod, float cup or float ball to lower it.
Slowly make adjustments on the screw using a screwdriver or set of channel locks.
Check the float to see if it hasn’t filled with water accidentally. If the float is leaking / letting water in, replace that too.
STILL LEAKING?
• If after adjusting these the water continues to leak through the overflow tube, then the fill valve may be faulty.
• But if you still have a running toilet but does not flow down the overflow tube, then the flush valve may be faulty.
This little chain lifts the flapper when the toilet lever or flush button is engaged.
If the flush valve chain is TOO SHORT then the flapper will not close properly. This will result in the water flowing into the toilet. If the chain is TOO LONG it may become trapped underneath the flapper which will prevent it from closing at all.
Check if the flapper closes properly to determine if the chain is the problem. Add or remove links in the chain to make it the right length or replace it if you don’t have enough links to lengthen it.
The flapper can become worn over time. As it is made from rubber check for signs of warping, grime, wear and other damage. If the flapper is simply dirty, use a solution of warm water and vinegar to clean it thoroughly. If the flapper is damaged then instead of trying to repair it, rather replace it.
So, you have now checked the overflow tube, the water level, the flush valve chain and the flapper.
In other words you have checked the parts of the flush valve assembly.
If you toilet is still leaking you may need to replace the entire FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY.
By replacing the entire assembly you are ensuring that all the parts are the correct length and in good working order with each other.
NOTE: If the water continues to run after the tank has filled up, then either a) the tank-to-bowl gasket or b) the flapper has not been properly installed.
7) Replacing the Fill Valve Assembly
HOW DO I KNOW if the fill valve assembly is faulty?
After checking that a) the overflow tube is the correct height for you toilet, b) the water level is set about 2-3cm below the overflow tube BUT water continues to flow down the overflow tube… there is a strong possibility that the cause for the toilet leaking is the fill valve.
Fortunately this is an easier part to replace than replacing the flush valve.
NOTE: If the water stops filling the tank when the float reaches the top and DOES NOT flow down the overflow tube you have SUCCESSFULLY REPAIRED the fill valve assembly.
Here’s a quick Q&A on common questions pertaining to running toilets.
Older toilets still have a ball float. The more modern toilets have been fitted with a fill valve which is actually easier to fix.
START by checking the valve and the float cup. They may need adjusting only. If both have been correctly installed and the tank still overflows then they need to be replaced.
A button flush or dual flush toilet is a great slush mechanism as it allows you to choose whether to flush solid or liquid waste and in this way save water.
If the dual flush is running continuously START by cleaning the seal. If the seal is damaged or worn then replace it.
If if still runs or the water fills too high and is close to overflowing the the valve may need to be replaced altogether.
To unblock toilet that keeps on clogging up you need to consider that there may be a partial or complete obstruction in one of the parts of the drain system. These parts are the toilet trap, the branch drain line, the vent pipe and the main sewer line.
Often you can use a plunger to unblock or unclog a toilet but if your toilet keeps clogging even if you’ve flushed a small amount of toilet paper, there may be a bigger problem. It then becomes important to figure out what the cause is and fix it quickly!
Let’s start with items that most people think CAN be flushed down the toilet but actually can cause a blockage.
Here’s the list:
Therefore ONLY flush biodegradable materials down the toilet. Leave a wastebasket in the toilet for materials that should not be flushed.
You can try retrieve it with an auger or plumber’s snake first. If this doesn’t work, you may need to get a plumber to dismantle the toilet to get to it.
A blocked toilet / clogged toilet can be cleared in a few ways:
As you’ve heard, “prevention is better than cure” so to prevent a messy situation make sure that whoever uses the toilet knows that for un-flushable items there is a waste basket available.
Remember that without toilets there would no way for wastewater to flow out of your home. Wastewater breeds disease causing pathogens like bacteria, parasites and viruses. Bathrooms and toilets are therefore crucial for sanitation and integral to your health.
The longer you leave a clogged toilet the more risk you have of wastewater exposure. So if you don’t know how to fix it, call a plumber!
Why won’t my toilet flush and what do I do?
So your toilet is not flushing properly – just don’t bite your nails! Read on before you get frustrated.
There are a number of reasons why the toilet won’t flush completely so run down the list below…
This is the most common cause of a toilet that doesn’t flush. You could have either a partial blockage or a complete blockage on your hands. Certain obstructions may cause a slow flushing toilet that does not clear the toilet bowl properly.
Try using a flange-style plunger (to seal the bowl) and push downwards a few times to try and loosen the obstruction before flushing to see if the materials have been moved down the sewer line. If this works, then keep on plunging until the blockage has been cleared. The same goes for using a toilet auger. Use as directed and check by flushing if it has worked or not.
CAUTION: Do not using boiling hot water! Boiling water can damage the toilet, pipes and seals.
Pour hot water into the toilet bowl and flush. This works for mild blockages.
Refer to “What CAN I Flush Down the Toilet Safely?
If plunging, auging and hot water flushing do not work, you may not have a clog.
Each part if not set correctly or if damaged may cause a few different problems. Toilet problems can range from a Running Toilet to a Blocked Toilet.
The flapper is a seal that sits inside the toilet tank at the bottom. When the flapper closes it should seal tightly. This allows a smooth toilet flushing motion. Start by removing the lid of the toilet tank to see if the flapper is sealing properly. Listen to the tank – if it runs after the flapper closes or if the toilet runs often then this could be the problem. Replace if faulty.
The inlet holes are positioned around the underside of the rim of the toilet bowl. When you flush the toilet water comes from the toilet tank through these small inlet holes. The inlet holes can become clogged and then the water will slowly drain into the toilet bowl and create a slow flush that will not flush away the contents of the bowl.
Are the inlet holes clogged? Check the following:
When the inlet holes / jets become clogged use a brush, toothpick or scrubber to clean out the mineral buildup inside the holes.
Inside the toilet tank is a centre tube where any excess water will drain down. Sometimes the overflow tube becomes cracked and water will constantly drain from here into the toilet bowl. When this happens the level of the tank lowers. Either the tank will continually try to fill itself or there will be too little water (tank does not fill completely) to allow a good flush.
JOKE: What’s the one thing professional poker players and plumbers can agree on?
A royal flush is better than a full house.
Another toilet part that can cause the tank not to fill up completely is the fill valve.
The fill valve either has a float (a bulb on the end of a metal rod) or it can be a circular float that fits around the fill valve. If the float doesn’t perform correctly – it may be due to being stuck or incorrectly adjusted.
As with the overflow tube, if the tank does not fill up correctly there will be a weak flush.
While your toilet may still be operational they are not as efficient as the newer models.
You may be wasting water because the old toilet is cracked or leaking or even clogging. Upgrading to a newer type of toilet will not only save you on water bills but it can also update the look of your bathroom.
TIP: Remember that a dual-flush toilet system will reduce your water usage dramatically!
Because your toilet normally doesn’t stop working on a given day, they become less efficient. The parts become worn and may no longer be compatible. Look out for these signs that will tell you that it’s time to replace your toilet.
Can I replace my toilet myself? Do I need a plumber?
Our Toilet Plumbers replace and repair toilets all day long.
We have the expertise to do the job right without overlooking any hidden problems and without causing further damage.
If you have experience with replacing a toilet and want to quick breakdown of the steps, we provide a link for you here.
TAKE NOTE: Remember that as you need to connect the toilet to an existing branch of the soil pipe – but if you want to install a toilet in a new part of the premises you will need a professional plumber to connect it into the main soil pipe.
The link below will show you how to:
1) How to connect a close-coupled toilet
2) How to fit a dual-flush toilet mechanism
Link on DIY.com
Here are some resources we have collected on common toilet problems and what to look for in order to fix them.
A faulty toilet can be repaired by yourself if you have the right tools and know what to look for. We hope that they will assist you in saving time trying to figure things out.
In the case where you need a professional to conduct any toilet repairs call us.
If you’re searching for honest and reliable toilet plumbers near me – we are available and very happy to help.
Installing a new toilet may seem pretty straight forward to most experienced DIYs - how hard can it be? DIY install a tap or shower. DIY install a basin or toilet. Read the steps, get your parts and begin. Right? Consider that installing a toilet - out of all the fixtures is actually the most tricky. Experience tells us that there is a certain tension that needs to be used when tightening the various fasteners firstly to prevent leaks and secondly to prevent breaking the porcelain toilet. Certain inspections need to be taken into consideration while inspecting the toilet flange to also prevent after the toilet has been installed. Read the considerations involved in installing a toilet below and whether or not you want to attempt it yourself or find out why we highly suggest hiring a professional plumber for your toilet installation.
Yes, you can decide that you like the pink one that heats up the seat and lights up in the dark. But that only factors in the look and some nice features that you may want right now.
When buying a car your best bet is to find out from a motor mechanic if parts are readily available, how much a service will cost you, the tyres, the reliability and sale value after a few years.
When buying a toilet you also want to consider the cost, water usage, features, shape and size. A plumber who is worth his salt will tell you if a specific model or type of toilet will clog frequently, if the parts are readily available or if they need to be ordered, imported or manufactured. Our toilet plumbers work with all these things when servicing a toilet and when installing toilets for our customers. We see which toilets and toilet parts give the most trouble and know what to use and advise you accordingly. So it becomes a fundamental question WHO you ask for advice when you are choosing a reliable and efficient toilet.
After a toilet plumbing installation has taken place there may be no immediate signs that it wasn’t connected properly. It may take time for the connections to fail.
Once the water is turned on and it leaks, you immediately know the installation was a failure, but if any of the meny connections were not properly tensioned they will most likely fail in under one year.
A professional toilet installation company work to a high standard to ensure that there are no come-backs and that our clients are very happy with our work.
The quick question to ask is, “Do I need to use the fixture right now?”
For plumbing emergencies such as a burst geyser or your basement flooding I would say, “Yes.” The water flooding is out of order and out of hand. It needs to be fixed quickly.
A slow leaking toilet or clogged sink can wait a little while.
So while you’ve found the number of a plumbing company you can schedule the job for or even call in the morning – get a good night’s sleep – but also make sure that each person on the premises knows NOT to use that fixture. Stick a note on the wall, the door, the toilet and if possible, block off that room or fixture.
Can you turn off the water to the toilet or leaking fixture? The inlet pipe normally has an inlet valve attached to it. Turn the valve off. If you can do this – then you don’t have a plumbing emergency.
For larger problems you will have to locate the main water line to the premises and shut that off. This should be located near the water meter close to the street.
Ok, jokes aside but the weather also determines an emergency situation.
During the scorching heat and having no water certainly constitutes a health risk. If the issue is on the municipal side phone them ASAP. If the issue is on your property CALL US.
Another example of “weather it matters” is if the temperature is icy cold and you don’t have hot water or you have no power to heat your house.
If there is a chance that leaving the problem will actually cause more damage then you need to call an emergency plumber or emergency electrician in to help. If you have a leak that you cannot stop or uses more than one bucket overnight there’s a chance of significant damage to your floors and furniture and even people slipping and hurting themselves. If you have a plumbing or electrical emergency then call or whatsapp Electricians-SA and Plumbers on this number: 061 439 2346
Even if you have an emergency you may not be able to call in an emergency plumbing or electrical repair specialist.
Examples of this would be if your power or water utility company is responsible for these repairs.
The Water utility and Power utility repairs their side of the line, ie. the line that runs into your house. Anything else within your property becomes your responsibility. If you are unsure about what this means, give us a call and we will either dispatch the right technician or advise you.
If reading through any of the above information you feel overwhelmed – DO NOT ATTEMPT to fix or install your own toilet!
Toilets have a few parts that work together in a certain way, and all toilets are different.
Your toilet is a functional fixture created for waste management. Although there are a few minor things that most people are capable can figure out themselves – a toilet is NOT something you can afford to mess up.
Simple mistakes can lead to your toilet leaking and even bigger issues down the plumbing system if not done correctly.
For more complex toilet repairs it is recommended to contact a professional plumber.
Trained professionals might cost more, but they ensure that the work is done quickly, safely, and effectively
