The Importance of Regular Toilet Maintenance

Your toilet is one of the most frequently used plumbing fixtures in your home! Checking it regularly can help prevent leaks, clogs, water waste, and expensive plumbing repairs. So, in today’s blog, we want to offer some steps to follow to help keep your plumbing system in tip-top shape all year long. 

Why Does Maintenance Matter? 

Routine toilet maintenance helps: 

  • Prevent unexpected leaks and overflows  

  • Reduce water bills  

  • Extend the life of toilet components  

  • Avoid emergency plumbing calls  

  • Improve flushing performance  

  • Detect hidden plumbing issues early  

Even small issues like a worn flapper or slow leak can waste hundreds, sometimes thousands, of litres of water each month, and increase your water bill, if left unresolved. 

What Should You Watch For? 

1. Check for Leaks Around the Base 

Look around the bottom of the toilet for: 

  • Water pooling  

  • Damp flooring  

  • Soft or discoloured flooring  

  • Musty odours  

 

Ignoring leaks can lead to flooring damage, mould and potentially significant water issues in your home. The quicker, you resolve a leaking toilet, the more likely you are to avoid costly damage. 

2. Test for a Running Toilet 

A running toilet can quietly waste a large amount of water and cost you money when your bill arrives. To help avoid this, you can: 

  • Remove the tank lid  

  • Listen for constant running water  

  • Add food colouring to the tank  

  • Wait 15–20 minutes without flushing  

Note: If colour appears in the bowl, the flapper may need to be replaced. 

3. Inspect Inside the Tank 

Check these parts for wear or damage: 

  • Flapper  

  • Fill valve  

  • Float  

  • Flush handle  

  • Chain connections  

Signs of trouble: 

  • Corrosion  

  • Cracks  

  • Mineral buildup  

  • Loose parts  

Replacing inexpensive parts early can prevent larger repairs down the road. In most cases, you can replace these parts on your own. However, if you are unsure, or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional plumber, like the Action team, for help. 

4. Check the Flush 

An efficient toilet should flush quickly and completely. 

Warning signs include: 

  • Weak flushes  

  • Multiple flushes needed  

  • Slow bowl clearing  

  • Gurgling sounds  

If you notice that your toilet isn’t flushing properly, this might be caused by a clog, a loose flush handle, or broken lift chain.  

What Should Never Be Flushed? 

Many common plumbing problems start with improper flushing habits. Be sure to keep your toilet lid closed when it’s not in use to avoid unwanted items falling in. Additionally, you should never flush the following down the toilet: 

  • Wipes (even “flushable” ones)  

  • Paper towels  

  • Feminine hygiene products  

  • Cotton swabs  

  • Dental floss  

  • Medications 

These can wreak havoc on your plumbing, leading to much larger problems for your home and your wallet. 

Contact a professional if you notice: 

  • Frequent clogs  

  • Water around the toilet base  

  • Cracks in the bowl or tank  

  • Sewer odors  

  • Overflowing toilets  

  • Gurgling drains  

  • Persistent running water  

By checking for leaks, inspecting tank components, and monitoring flush performance, you can catch small problems before they become major plumbing emergencies. 

If your toilet continues to show signs of trouble after basic maintenance, it may be time to reach out to Action Plumbing. Our experts will quickly diagnose the problem and your bathroom back in tip-top shape. Call us today! 

plumbingEditor of Action Plumbing Blogplumbing, toilet