toilet problems - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

Household chores can often feel like a never-ending list, and cleaning the toilet is one task that often stands out. It’s a chore many dread, but doing it correctly is crucial to maintaining a functioning bathroom and to avoid toilet problems. So, here are some essential dos and don’ts to ensure you’re not inadvertently damaging your toilet in the process.

Common Causes of Toilet Problems

Avoid the TikTok Fabuloso Hack

Scrolling through TikTok, you might encounter a video suggesting the use of the cleaning agent Fabuloso inside your toilet bowl to achieve a self-cleaning effect with every flush. While the idea of a self-cleaning toilet is appealing, the reality is quite different.

Placing a large bottle of cleaner in the toilet tank can cause significant damage over time. Moreover, the constant exposure to chemicals can deteriorate toilet parts such as seals and gaskets made of plastic and rubber. Furthermore, this deterioration can lead to leaks and eventual failure of your toilet’s inner workings.

Additionally, the bottle inside the tank displaces water, preventing the toilet from flushing adequately and potentially leading to clogs and backups. Therefore, although a clean toilet sounds fabulous, leaving a bottle of cleaner inside your toilet tank is not the way to achieve it.

Never Use Drano in Your Toilet

When faced with a toilet clog, the urge to resolve it quickly is strong. However, reaching for a chemical solution like Drano is not advisable. Traditional Drano and similar products use bleach, a caustic chemical, to break down clogs. So, when flushed, these chemicals can get trapped in the S-shaped trap of the toilet.

The trap and the rest of the toilet are typically made of porcelain, which can crack under the heat generated by the chemical reaction of the Drano. Moreover, if you combine chemical use with a plunger to clear the clog, you risk splashing dangerous chemicals onto your skin, which can cause irritation or burns. Therefore, it is safer and more effective to use a plunger or a plumbing snake to address clogs.

Don’t Flush Cleaning Wipes

Disposable cleaning wipes offer a convenient way to quickly clean your toilet, especially for disinfecting the handle and seat. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly advises against flushing anything other than toilet paper.

Sanitary or cleaning wipes, even those that are labeled as “flushable” should not be disposed of in the toilet. Furthermore, these wipes do not break down in sewer or septic systems and can cause significant damage to your home’s plumbing and local wastewater systems. Besides, the fibers in these wipes can create blockages, leading to costly plumbing repairs.

Safe Alternatives for a Clean Toilet

Use Gentle Cleaners

Instead of harsh chemicals, opt for mild, toilet-safe cleaning agents. Vinegar and baking soda are excellent natural alternatives that can effectively clean your toilet without causing damage. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s better to hire a Myrtle Beach plumber.

Regular Maintenance

Regularly clean your toilet to prevent the buildup of grime and bacteria. Additionally, this not only keeps your toilet hygienic but also reduces the need for harsh cleaning methods.

Professional Help To Fix Toilet Problems

For persistent issues or significant clogs, it’s best to call a professional plumber in Myrtle Beach. They have the tools and expertise to handle problems without causing damage to your toilet or plumbing system.

While modern cleaning hacks can be tempting, they often do more harm than good, especially when it comes to your toilet. So, by avoiding common pitfalls like using harsh chemicals or flushing inappropriate items, you can maintain a clean and functional toilet without causing damage.

Ready to keep your home’s plumbing in top shape without the hassle and avoid toilet problems? Contact Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC. today to learn more about our professional cleaning and maintenance services!

Like our Facebook page for more great info about services.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733
https://www.blueribbonplumbingmb.com/

Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

You always have the option to try a DIY repair if your toilet is running, leaking, slow filling, won’t flush, or noisy, before you call a residential plumber.

First things first. Let us learn how a toilet works and then we will discuss the basic toilet repair and troubleshooting tips to fix those common problems.

How Does It work?

To give you a better understanding of how the plumbing and the toilet works, remove the tank’s lid and flush the toilet a couple of times. You will notice the following things:

The chain will lift the flapper valve, also known as the tank ball or stopper, whenever you push the handle.
The water that is inside the tank will flow through the flush valve and into the toilet bowl.
The water that came from the tank will then force the wastewater into the toilet bowl right through the trap and then to the primary drain.
When the tank is already empty, the flapper valve will then close and then the ballcock/fill valve will then refill the tank.
Once the tank is full, the float ball will close the ballcock or the fill valve.

Water On the Floor Surrounding The Toilet

In case you notice that there is water on the floor surrounding your toilet, be sure to repair the problem immediately to prevent moisture from damaging your subfloor. Begin by evaluating every connection like the fill valve mounting nut, tank bolts, as well as supply tube coupling nut. Make sure that everything is tight. If yes then you might have to change the washers.

When the weather is warm and humid and the water is leaking from the side of your tank, it might be condensation. Water getting inside the tank is commonly colder compared to the temperature of the room. Utilize the correct ventilation so as to lessen condensation. Another recommended solution is a toilet liner kit, which involves placing a foam panel inside the tank.

You should also check if the toilet tank is cracked because if it is, you have to purchase a new one. The water surrounding the base of the toilet can be due to a wax ring that doesn’t seal anymore or due to a cracked toilet base. In case the toilet is leaking all the time, then you have a problem with a cracked toilet base and it should be replaced. In case leaking takes place on or after the flush, you may have to change the wax ring.

The Toilet Will Not Flush

If the toilet is not flushing, the first thing you need to do is check the flush handle, the flush lever, the chain, and the flapper valve, as well as the connections of each part to ensure that they are all functioning. The possible causes of this plumbing problem include a handle that is too loose or too tight, a broken or bent lift arm, and a busted or out-of-adjustment connection between the lift chain as well as the lift arm.

Toilet Will Not Flush All The Way

If you notice that your toilet is not flushing all the way, you need to check three things. Check if the tank has a low water level, if there is too much slack in the lift chain if the flapper used is the correct model, and if it is correctly installed.

In case you don’t know what to do and you think you need a professional that offers toilet repair services, be sure to get in touch with a reliable plumber. But don’t just hire anyone. You need to find a Myrtle Beach plumber who is licensed and insured. He must also provide a fair price and possesses experience in toilet repair.