Toilets are something every house cannot do without. It can be easy to take it for granted until something happens and it needs to be repaired. A toilet repairman can help you out if your toilet breaks but most are also available for maintenance. 

Signs your toilet needs to be repaired

When it comes to your toilet, it’s better to get small repairs early rather than waiting until something goes wrong and makes a mess. Small problems may be signs of larger issues and it's always better to catch them before they have a chance to get worse. 

Some common problems that people have with their toilets are:

Clogged toilet 

A clogged toilet can be a pain. If you notice that your toilet bowl isn’t draining, turn off the water valve immediately. The last thing you want is for the bowl to overflow and spill out all the water and waste inside. 

Sometimes clogs in the toilet can be fixed with a plunger but if the clog is bigger or deeper in the pipes, you’ll need a professional toilet repairman. 

Constantly running 

Water constantly running through the tank and into the bowl is a sign that there is something wrong with your flush valve. Normally, it blocks off the connection between the tank and the bowl unless the toilet is flushed. If the valve isn’t doing its job, the tank will constantly be trying to fill itself as more water is let out, driving up your water bills and wasting water. 

Fixing a constantly running toilet could be as simple as replacing the flapper of the valve or it could include replacing the entire valve itself. 

Leaks

If you notice that your toilet is leaking, it's best to address this as soon as possible. Excess water can damage your floors or subfloors and it creates the perfect environment for mould to grow. Depending on where the leak is located, this water could also be wastewater, leaving the area around your toilet as a health risk. 

A leak could be coming from many different areas. Before you contact a professional, have a look around the toilet and see if you can locate where the leak is coming from. Common areas could be: 

• The water supply line
• The valve in the tank
• Where the tank connects to the bowl
• Cracks in the tank 
• The base of the toilet

Won’t flush properly

If your toilet won't flush, waste water can be left to sit in the bowl which is unhygienic and could be a health risk if left. Luckily, most people get a repairman in long before that becomes an issue. 

A toilet that won’t flush could be caused by a range of things including problems with: 

• The flush handle
• Flapper
• Lift chain 
• Water level

Fills slowly

The tank filling slowly is usually an indication that there is something wrong with the water supply lines. Supply lines for toilets usually last around 5 years so if yours is older than that it will probably need to be replaced. 

Issues with the seat

There can be a lot of issues that you have with the seat of your toilet. Many can seem small issues, like squeaking hinges or a seat that constantly slams, but these issues can often cause damage to other parts of the toilet. 

At its worst, a toilet seat that is cracked or old become a risk. Breaking and causing injury when sitting on the seat can be easily avoided by replacing the seat before it becomes old and worn. 

How long should my toilet last before it needs to be replaced

Toilets generally last about 25 years before they need to be replaced. If yours is approaching that age, it might be time to get a new toilet installed. Other components of the toilet may need to be replaced earlier depending on damage or their lifespan. 

How much do toilet repairs cost?

The cost of a toilet repairman will vary depending on the job you need done. Some jobs will require new parts to be replaced while others just include a quick repair on existing parts. 

Repair costs may include:

• $100 - $250 to repair a leaky toilet
• $80 - $120 to unblock a toilet

If the part needs to be replaced, costs may be: 

• $50 -$100 for a new cistern 
• $40 - $100 for a new tank 
• $100 - $400 for a new pump 
•  $60 - $100 for a new bowl
• $35 - $100 for fittings like fill valves, shut-off valves, flush valves and flappers
• $100 - $400 for a new toilet installation

Emergency repairs

Your toilet can break at any time and your normal plumber may not be available for emergency repairs out of hours. There are a lot of emergency plumbers that you can contact if the problem occurs outside of normal trading hours. 

Keep in mind that while emergency plumbers are available 24/7, they usually charge more for their time than regular plumbers. It’s a good idea to assess how critical your problem is before you contact one. Otherwise, you could wind up paying extra for a fix that could have been done during normal business hours. 

Hiring a toilet repair specialist

Toilet repairs are carried out by professional plumbers. Many people have a service they use for all plumbing jobs so it can be a good idea to make sure you trust your plumber. Even if you are only thinking of using them once, it’s a good idea to ask some questions before hiring anyone. 

Some questions include:

• Are you appropriately qualified, accredited or licensed?
• Do you hold valid insurance (professional indemnity and public liability insurance)?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long will my job take?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?
• Do you provide emergency services?