One of the most frequent things we get called for in repair services is toilet repair. That can mean anything from toilets that flush themselves, constantly running toilets, to even rocking toilets at the base. Cracked toilets or tanks are pretty common, too, and let’s not forget about the teenager’s bathroom toilet clog that seems to happen a little too frequently … but I digress.
Back to the clogged toilet. Many homeowners and renters use plungers to unclog a toilet when it needs to be cleared, thinking the suction from the pumping action is moving the clog. What’s really happening is the force of the plunge is putting undo pressure on the wax ring that seals the toilet to the base of the floor.
When that happens, the wax ring is damaged from the force of the plunge.
We can tell because when we reset a toilet and remove the old wax ring, it’s full of grooves that don’t belong there. A new ring and re-fastened bolts usually put the toilet back on solid ground where it belongs.
A rocking toilet, even if it’s only slightly rocking, is a potential for bigger problems. When your toilet isn’t sealed, water – even in minute amounts – can be lost between the levels of the floor. You may not notice it at first – in fact, you may not notice it at all – but over time that water can damage quite a bit.
So that’s water wastefulness, potentially unhealthy conditions, and damage to your home. To plunge or not to plunge? Get a 6-foot closet auger from the local home improvement store, and you can avoid damaging your wax rings when you unclog.
Tip: If water is rising, turn off the valve behind the toilet right away first. Then snake the clog and turn the valve back on.
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