There are certain parts of your home that you do not think about unless there is a big issue, but once there is it is comforting to know that emergency plumbing services are available to ensure you are not dealing with a major problem with your waterworks.
The most common issues that lead to a callout are, quite naturally, ones involving your toilet.
Since its invention by Sir John Harington, it has been a critical part of every home and an issue can not only be a major inconvenience but can make your home impossible to live in.
As with any plumbing issue, the greater the advanced warning, the less disrupted your day will be and the more likely you will be able to arrange an emergency callout.
With that in mind, here are some common telltale signs that your toilet may need immediate repair or replacement as soon as is convenient.
Leaking Base
Bathrooms are naturally wet environments, and water at the base of your toilet could potentially be the result of water splashing out of a bath or shower. This is especially true if you have a wet room fitted where the shower and toilet are fitted close to each other.
It can be caused sometimes when there is a leaky seal at the base of your toilet. This can sometimes be the result of a couple of loose bolts that fasten the toilet to the floor but could require an entirely new ring seal.
Cracks
Toilets are made of fairly hardy porcelain so they rarely need to be fixed as a result of cracking. Small cracks can be fixed quickly with epoxy but larger ones the tank or bowl will require the entire system to be replaced.
No Flush
If the toilet refuses to flush or only flushes slightly, that usually is a sign that the flushing mechanism has broken, which requires an expert to come in and fix the system. It tends to be a relatively quick job if you have the right parts and expertise.
Constant Flow
Generally, toilets only dispense water when they are flushing, but a common telltale warning sign of a potential repair job is that there is a constant cascade of water, usually caused by an issue with the flapper valve.
This can sometimes just be fixed with a simple adjustment, but in other cases, it requires the entire flapper system to be replaced.
Low Water In The Bowl Or Tank
The toilet bowl or tank will refill by itself as part of the way the entire system works, but if there is a problem with the fill valve, it can cause the water level at the bowl to be lower than normal or even potentially out of sight.
Whilst you can sometimes pour water into the tank as a stopgap, typically it means that the fill valve that is causing you problems needs to be replaced as soon as possible, otherwise it is going to lead to continued issues and frustration going forward.
