Your family uses the toilet several times a day. Though it's a piece of equipment that isn't often discussed, toilets are a vital part of your everyday life. When your porcelain throne stops working correctly, it can quickly disrupt the entire household. At Mr. Rooter, we help families and businesses in Atlanta, Suwanee, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Marietta and other Metro area communities have high quality, reliable plumbing. We want to help you do the same. There are many reasons why a toilet can stop working, but one of the most common sources of trouble is toilet handles. If you suspect that your toilet has stopped flushing due to a handle issue, here are a few simple steps to guide you through repairing and replacing the handle, so your family can get back to business as usual.
How Do Toilet Handles Work?
Understanding how toilet handles function is important. Knowing the way your toilet works will help make repairing and troubleshooting much simpler. Every time you flush your toilet, the handle lifts the rod connected to a rubber stopper in your drain. This allows the water to drain from the tank and into the toilet bowl so your waste can be taken into the sewage line. When the stopper falls back into the drain, the water will remain in the tank until the next use. The components are all easy to locate once you lift the lid. If your handle has stopped working properly, it's likely there is an issue with one of these five components.
First Step
Make sure you have emptied the tank of all the water and turned off the toilet valve before working on your toilet. You don't want to have to clean up a huge mess on top of repairing your handle. Take off the lid and check all five pieces, looking for signs of damage. You can unhook the chain from the rod easily by removing it from the clip that attaches it to the rod. You'll then need to locate the nut that attaches the handle to the tank itself. After it is unscrewed, you can take the handle out of the tank and take a closer look at all the pieces.
Replacement
After you've found out which component is broken, you can go to your local hardware store and purchase the individual item, or a toilet replacement kit. Most kits are inexpensive and have step by step instructions for installation. Follow the instructions, replace the lid and turn your water valve back on. Test your handle with a few flushes and voila, you have a working toilet again.
Is it Still Not Working?
If you followed the instructions accurately, but your toilet still isn't flushing, then the problem could be caused by something else. Be sure to recheck all the components and make sure there isn't more than one damaged piece. At this point, if you've tried all the simple solutions without success, you may need to get help from a professional plumber.
Do You Need Help Repairing or Replacing Your Broken Toilet? Call Mr. Rooter Today
The experts at Mr. Rooter have earned a reputation for excellence. If you want an effective and affordable solution for your toilet troubles, call our Atlanta, Georgia office. Our knowledgeable, friendly staff will be happy to discuss your needs and can schedule a convenient appointment with a licensed and insured plumber near you.