6 Best Toilet Repair Kits to Resolve Your Toilet Problems (2023)

FAQs

How do I choose a toilet repair kit? ›

The Korky gasket material is nice and spongy, yet sturdy – the quality feels better to me than the Fluidmaster. As with replacement flush valves, there's more than one size of gasket available. 2 inch is by far the most common, with some newer toilets using 3 inch valves.

If the toilet keeps running or runs intermittently, you're not getting a good seal. Try a different flapper if the toilet won't stop running. If you just can't find a flapper that seals, consider replacing the entire toilet overflow tube/flapper. On most toilets (two-piece), this means removing the tank.

An occasional repair is normal, but if you're constantly having to fix toilet issues, that can become a costly and time consuming problem. One or two toilet issues is to be expected, but if you are frequently and consistently running into the same problem, or even multiple problems, a new toilet is the way to go.

There are two types of toilet seat fixings: Bottom Fixings and Top Fixings. Top fixing toilets seats work by feeding two bolts into the pan which are then tightened from the top. Bottom toilet seat fixings are fitted from the top and then tightened from underneath, often with wing nuts.

Look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank. If the opening looks about the size of a baseball or orange, you need a 2″ flapper. If the opening looks about the size of a softball or grapefruit, you need a 3″ flapper.

While toilet flappers are normally pretty durable, they can wear out over time. The average toilet flapper lasts about 4 to 5 years. It is important that you replace your toilet flapper when needed to prevent damaging leaks.

You'll need to measure vertically from the bare floor to the center of the waste drain to find the rough-in size of a wall-mount or rear-outlet toilet.

Wax Toilet Seals: Keeping with Tradition

For years, wax rings have been plumbers' go-to options for making these types of toilet repairs. Although, the term “wax” can be a bit misleading. Some seals are made from beeswax, but others are constructed from petroleum or other ingredients.

COMMON PROBLEMS

When it's not flushing or refilling, flush/refill sounds or short bursts of air every so often may come from the fill valve. Constant leaks could need a new toilet seal or other repair parts.

What do plumbers use to seal toilets? ›

Plumber's putty is a malleable, clay-like compound that creates a watertight seal by filling in the space under a flange to prevent water from seeping through.

No need to worry, a running toilet is usually a simple fix. The three most common causes are a broken or dirty flapper, too long or too short of a chain between the flush lever and the flapper or a float that is out of position.

If you've tried replacing the toilet flapper but the toilet still runs, the flush valve seat is probably rough or pitted. You can replace the entire flush toilet flapper valve, but it's a big job.

The most common cause behind a running toilet is by far a broken toilet flapper. Also known as the flush valve, this plug holds water inside the tank until you use the toilet's handle to flush the toilet bowl. Unfortunately, flappers wear down over time, causing water to seep slowly into the bowl.

Toilets, by themselves, can cost between $100 and $450 at home improvement stores and labor costs can vary, depending on the plumber and the amount of work needed. The total costs including labor and materials can range between $225 and $700 averaging at $375.

The cost of a new toilet varies widely depending on the brand and features, but typically averages $200 to $500. Professional installation will increase the total cost to around $400 to $800.

Share: Toilets can last for up to 50 years under average conditions. However, this doesn't mean that you won't need to spend money maintaining it throughout its useful life. Furthermore, there are many factors that could cause your toilet to fail in less than 50 years.

Choose 100% silicone caulk.

Caulk usually comes in a tube and 100% silicone caulk is best for use on a toilet since it's more resistant to water than other types of caulk, such as acrylic.

Your toilet's wax ring creates an airtight seal to prevent water and sewer gas from escaping. When the thick wax ring goes bad, you need to replace it right away to prevent leaks. Knowing the signs of wax ring failure helps you spot an issue early to prevent major plumbing repairs.

No, there isn't a standard size for all toilet seats, due to a variety of toilet styles. To find out the best seat for your toilet, you will need to measure your loo.

What size flapper do most toilets use? ›

A majority of toilets will use the two inch flapper; however three inch flappers have become popular in recent years and can be found in newer toilets manufactured since 2005. An easy reference for determining your toilet's flapper size is to look at the flush valve drain opening at the bottom of your tank.

I once had a slow leak from a rubber flapper in my house, and I put Vaseline underneath the rubber flapper where it met the flush valve seat for a temporary fix. It helped stop the leak until I replaced the damaged parts. For older models, I recommend a “toilet tune up" — replace all parts inside the tank.

If you have a toilet that doesn't fully flush, common causes include a clog in the trap, a worn-out flapper, blocked rim jets, a faulty float, or an issue with the handle and chain.

How High is a Comfort Height Toilet? Comfort height toilets vary in height. By and large, the seat tends to stand between 17 and 19 inches from the ground (43cm to 48cm). In contrast, a standard traditional height toilet stands at around 15 inches (38cm).

However, the 10-inch size is a bit expensive as the options are limited, and there are not many designs available.

How Tight Should the Toilet Tank Be? Porcelain toilets are pretty brittle. So, ensure you should tighten toilet tank bolts very carefully. The best way to ensure you're tightening the tank bolt nuts is to hand-tighten them, then make a quarter-inch turn on each nut using a wrench.

Sponge type gaskets are commonly used as an alternative to felted wax rings meaning they are mostly used for wall-hung toilets and urinals. These sponge gaskets can also be used for floor mounted toilets if specified.

Without caulk around the toilet base, water can get under there and sit for a long time. Stagnant water is a breeding ground for bugs and mold. Applying silicone caulk prevents water infiltration and helps you maintain and clean and healthy bathroom.

Wax-free toilet seals are made out of a heavy duty rubber, so they're flexible enough to shimmy into the flange without smearing a wax ring. Wax-free seals can also be reused. As long as they're still attached to the bowl in good condition, you can reinstall the toilet without replacing the seal.

Every toilet tank has only a few components that can fail and cause the toilet to stop operating properly: the flush valve, and the fill valve. If there's a failure with the flush valve, it's possible that the attached rubber flapper has worn off or isn't sitting properly in the opening.

Why does toilet keep trickling? ›

Leaky loos are usually caused by a faulty flush-valve or fill-valve inside your tank – predominantly on dual-flush WCs. It can happen with any WC brand and type, but most leaky loos are the result of a failure in valve seals. These failures can happen on old and new WCs.

The choice between wax toilet seals and wax-free toilet seals ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Many professionals stick with wax because they know it's reliable, and they're paid to deal with the mess. If you're more comfortable with the tried-and-true approach, go with a wax seal.

Installing a flange extender or using an extra-thick wax ring will work much better in the long run. Place the wax ring on the closet flange, not on the toilet. Pick up the toilet and set it evenly over the closet flange, making sure the bolts come through the bolt holes in the toilet base.

Here's what to know. Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years.

A toilet that cuts on and off by itself, or runs intermittently, has a problem that plumbers call a "phantom flush." The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seat.

If the toilet keeps running or runs intermittently, you're not getting a good seal. Try a different flapper if the toilet won't stop running. If you just can't find a flapper that seals, consider replacing the entire toilet overflow tube/flapper. On most toilets (two-piece), this means removing the tank.

Use a sponge to clean up any leftover water and then unhook the flapper and replace it with a new one. Turn the water supply back on and test. If the toilet randomly runs or the tank starts filling by itself, it's a sign that the flap is failing.

A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain. This can cause a terrible increase to a family's typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible. Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet.

Will a running toilet stop eventually? As fresh water enters the tank, a mechanism eventually shuts off the water flow and the toilet will stop running. However, when things go wrong with the valve, flapper or overflow then it's best to get it sorted.

Most commonly, something is preventing the flapper from closing completely. Therefore, it is always letting a small amount of water out of the bowl. Then, once the toilet tank is empty, the fill valve is triggered, and it refills the tank. That's what you hear when your toilet runs for a few seconds—the tank refilling.

What happens if a toilet runs for too long? ›

A running toilet can quickly turn into a flooding toilet. If you have a septic tank, all of that excess water risks flooding the tank, which can lead to the saturation and failure of your drain field.

Not literally, of course – but your water bill will skyrocket if your toilet is constantly running. More often than not, continuously running toilets are extremely easy and inexpensive to fix – you might just need to replace the flapper. A constantly running toilet also presents an increased risk of flooding.

An easy reference is to look at the size of the flush valve drain opening in the bottom of the tank. If it's about the size of an orange or baseball, you need a 2 inch seal. If it looks more like the size of a grapefruit or softball, you need a jumbo 3 inch seal.

Look for the manufacturer name or a number on the bottom side of the water tank lid. It may be stamped into the lid or painted on - some of them may even be handwritten if the tank lid was replaced by a plumber with foresight.

Inside the toilet tank or lid. Remove the lid of the toilet tank. Look inside the lid for the model number or inside the toilet tank. The model number may be printed on either of these surfaces.

Toilet Parts

The toilet's flush valve will typically last 6-7 years. A toilet fill valve might only last four to five years. In general, you should expect to replace the parts in your toilet every so often while keeping the actual bowl in place.

There are really only two main toilet tank parts: The toilet flush valve, which lets water gush into the bowl during the flush, and the fill valve, which lets water refill the tank after the flush. When a toilet runs constantly or intermittently, one of these valves is usually at fault.

Most toilets have a standard flush valve. This is just a basic 2-inch flush valve and flapper that lifts up when you push the toilet handle down. Standard flush valves may be found on low-flow toilets and on some older toilets with large tanks.

Compatibility With Your Toilet

Most toilet fill valves are compatible with valves of the same type—if they're labeled “universal.” For example, universal float cup valves will fit the tanks of most toilet brands as long as they contain a similar valve.

What is the most common toilet flush valve? ›

Standard Valve

A standard toilet flush valve is 2 inches in size and works with most low-flow toilets and older toilet models. The most commonly found type in residential homes, it is the least expensive and most frequently purchased toilet flush valve.

Turn the tap off beneath the toilet and flush until the tank starts to empty. Take a look inside with a flashlight to search for cracks. If you see hairline cracks on the top of the tank, these are cosmetic and do not require repair. Any hairline cracks below the waterline will require a bit of patching with epoxy.

Do all toilet seats fit the same? The simple answer is no, there are a range of different toilet seat fittings. Some are bottom fixing (fitted from beneath the fixing holes) and some are top fixing (usually required when there isn't access to the bottom of the pan, e.g. with a fully shrouded toilet).

A running toilet is typically caused by the overflow tube, flush valve, or fill valve. Check the water in the tank to determine if it is running into the overflow tube. If the water is running into the overflow tube, the water level might be too high or the overflow tube might be too short for the toilet.

By Type of Toilet

One-piece toilets: Can cost as low as $100 and as much as $5,000 for some models. Most cost between $250 and $600 with the average cost around $500. Two-piece toilets: Can cost as low as $100 with the most expensive toilets costing around $3,000. Most average around $100 to $300.

What is the average cost for a new toilet? The cost of a new toilet varies widely depending on the brand and features, but typically averages $200 to $500. Professional installation will increase the total cost to around $400 to $800.

The manufacture date, if present, is often stamped inside the tank on the back wall or on the bottom of the tank lid.