Toilets

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Most household toilets work by using gravity to force a tankful of clean water into the bowl to push waste down a soil pipe and into the sewer system. To unclog a toilet, you’ll need a plunger with a flagged cup like the one shown below. The flange fits the opening more snugly than a regular plunger and the large air pocket inside the plunger increases its effectiveness. Bail out excess water, leaving just enough to cover the plunger cup. Place the plunger into the drain opening with the flange covering the opening. Stand directly over the plunger and work it up and down. Move the handle of the plunger only, the cup should remain over the drain opening. After plunging vigorously 10 or 12 times, yank the plunger out. Repeat if necessary. If using a plunger does not clear the clog then use a closet auger or toilet snake and push the cable through the drain. Crank the auger handle to get the cable down the drain pipe. When the auger end reaches the clog, move the auger back and forth to push the obstruction through or pull it out.

If water is leaking around the bottom of the toilet bowl, at the floor, after a flush, tighten the nuts that hold the bowl to the floor. You’ll have to pry off the decorative caps first. If tightening the nuts does not solve the problem then have a plumber replace the wax ring. If water leaks from the bottom of the tank, tighten the nut securing the water supply tube to the underside of the tank. Check also the nut on the other end of the tube, that’s at the shutoff valve. If water pools on the floor under the toilet, check for a crack in either the bowl or the tank. If you find one, turn off the water to the toilet to stop the leaking and have a plumber install a new bowl or tank.

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