The humble toilet is arguably the most important of all home appliances. How do you maintain your toilet? The toilet can be ignored if it is working as expected. It’s almost like the soundtrack to a great film. However, it’s like the soundtrack: when it fails, everyone notices, and chaos ensues, especially if there is only one bathroom.
Friends, today we gather to hack our lives through the toilet. We will be exploring its deeper mysteries and finding reliable tips and truths about bathroom maintenance. You can save this post as an Excel spreadsheet or a printable PDF if you need to reference it again.
How Can I Ensure That My Toilet Flushes Properly?
You don’t have to be a professional to maintain your toilets. You want to make the most of your plumbing investment over time. To understand the benefits of regular cleaning and maintenance, you don’t have to be an expert in routine plumbing or have a checklist for cleaning toilets. You will take good care of your toilets and they will take good care of you.
Clog Removal and Flushing
Regular cleaning of your toilets is a foundation for a good maintenance checklist. However, it is better to clean them monthly. Make sure to clean your toilets at least once per month. Also, don’t forget about cleaning the rim jets under the bowl. These jets can be difficult to reach. Your bowl will have a harder time keeping clean if these jets become blocked.
Avoid using toxic or harsh chemicals to clean your toilet. They can cause damage to internal components and even the pipes. Slow-draining bowls are usually due to a blockage in the rim jets. You can see them better if you have a mirror. Also, you can use a stiff wire to force out stubborn clogs.
A plunger can be used to remove the obstruction from the bowl if you have cleared the jets. Before you plunge, make sure to press down hard enough to form a seal. A plunger may not be the right tool for you. You can also use a router, snake, or toilet auger that is inexpensive and available in hardware stores. Most likely, one of these tools will be able to clear a clog. However, it is important to not flush anything other than human waste and the best septic toilet paper. Clog Town is easily avoided by not flushing any other than human waste and toilet paper.
Leakage and Running
If your toilet is running longer than normal and you have checked that the flapper in the tank is still sealed, you might still be able to repair it and reduce your water bill. Many seals around the toilet can become worn over time. If you notice water trickling in your bowl, it is likely that there is a leak in the tank. This could indicate a bad flapper. It is easy to fix yourself. The water escaping from the bowl can cause a trickle that sounds similar to a hiss. This is one situation where the “jiggle the handle” trick may work. Sometimes the flapper may not land in the right place, leading to an imperfect seal. If the handle is not moving, you can check the length of your chain to see if it works. If you don’t succeed, it could be a problem with the refill tube, float, or ballcock.
Check the toilet for leaks every time you clean it. Put some food coloring in your tank if you suspect there is a leak. If the water color changes after half an hour without flushing, it is possible that there is a leak somewhere.
Shut Off and Fill Valve
Shut-off valves are used to cut off water flow to the toilet. They can be located either behind or below the toilet. Shut-off valves can freeze and harden over time. This is something you don’t want to happen if you are in an emergency. It’s time for you to replace yours if they are damaged. When you do your routine cleaning and maintenance, these valves should be checked.
Check the fill valves to make sure the water is not flowing after the tank has been filled. This can be done by removing the tank cover and flushing it. A pro can diagnose additional problems if the tank fill valve does not stop water from flowing once it has reached the desired level.
Component Awareness
You will need to be familiar with the basic components of a toilet in order to improve your maintenance skills. These components include the base, bowl, toilet seal ring, tank lid, tank, lid, and handle, as well as the chain. Repeat this five times quickly. We must not forget the rim jets that we just mentioned as well as the refill tube, ballcock, float, and refill tube.
Each component serves a very important, but simple function. You should also be aware of the bolts that mount to the bottom of the toilet. They provide stability. It’s time for you to inspect your toilet if it is rocking. As part of your routine cleaning and maintenance, make sure to inspect your tank-to-bowl bolts for signs of rust. This can cause a dangerous seating arrangement. Flanges and wax rings under the toilet can become more unstable over time. They might need to be replaced. Even if the seat is not unstable, you should inspect your seals. It may be time for a re-seal if the silicone or caulk is dry, cracked, or missing.
The inside of the tank is another important aspect to be aware of. As you clean and maintain your tank, remove the lid and place it on the floor. You should inspect the tank for signs of damage or deterioration. The rubber flappers can become brittle and toxic cleaning chemicals can cause damage.
Contacting a Professional
It’s admirable to make the effort to maintain your toilets regularly. However, sometimes professional help is needed from a licensed plumber. It’s okay to go beyond your comfort zone. When plumbing problems get out of control, it’s a sign to trust professionals. Leakage and clogs can cause serious damage to your home and make it difficult for a professional plumber to fix them.
Check out these other posts to find out if your home warranty covers toilets. Cinch Home Services is dedicated to making home maintenance easy. It can be overwhelming to understand all the options available when it comes to home warranties and home protection plans. This is why finding qualified home pros is so important! You’ve reached the right place! To receive more home-related tips, subscribe to our newsletter and get your free maintenance checklist for the toilet.
This article provides guidance for proper maintenance and care of appliances and systems in your home. Some of these topics are not covered by our home warranties or maintenance plans. To understand your coverage, please carefully read your home warranty contract.
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