If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your toilet until it stops working. And when it does stop working, it’s an emergency! If you live in the Los Angeles area and find yourself in need of emergency toilet repair, Glendora and the surrounding areas are serviced by the 24-hour plumbing professionals at Rooter John–so don’t worry, we’ve got you (and your toilet) covered. In this article, we’ll answer some of the most common questions about emergency toilet repair, including what it commonly entails and how much it costs. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to prevent toilet emergencies from happening in the first place. Keep reading for more information!
Emergency Toilet Repair Glendora, CA
What Counts as "Emergency" Toilet Repair?
Of course, there is a certain amount of subjectivity in what a particular individual might deem an “emergency”—which is why many plumbers have their own definition of when it’s time for homeowners to call in their support. For example, if your toilet simply isn’t flushing, this might not be considered a true emergency, particularly if you have other toilets in the house. However, if you have a toilet that is continuously spilling contaminated toilet water all over your bathroom floor, that would by most measures constitute a phone call to a 24-hour plumber.
Essentially, in order to qualify under the “emergency” status, a plumbing mishap will likely involve liquids (or even gas) flowing in places where they ought not to, such as over the floor of your home or issuing out of the pipes in your wall. Often involving a high volume of misplaced or running water, gas, or sewage, a plumbing disaster is considered an emergency if it poses a danger to the structural safety of your home and your loved ones.
How Much Does Emergency Toilet Repair Cost?
While “non-emergency” toilet repairs tend to cost between $60-$200, you can expect an emergency toilet repair in Glendora to cost between $100-$300, regardless of the day or time. However, should your toilet be completely “totaled” and require a rebuild or replacement, costs can reach up to $600 or so.
Common Services Included in Emergency Toilet Repair Glendora, CA
It can be easy to take luxuries and creature comforts for granted in this world, and a functioning toilet is no exception to this rule. Once your toilet stops working, however, you quickly realize just how life-altering the convenience of modern plumbing truly is! There are plenty of things that can go wrong with your toilet that might lead you to call in a plumber—things that are beyond the scope and skill set of the average homeowner and their $10 grocery store plunger. The two most common plumbing services provided during emergency toilet repair Glendora are fixing a leaky or clogged toilet.
In the instance of a leaky toilet, homeowners may be faced with running water all over their bathroom floor that may be spilling into other areas of the house. This can be caused by any number of things, including a failed gasket, loose tank bolts, or an unsealed flapper. A professional plumber will shut off the water source until the problem is handled, allowing you to mitigate the mess while they correct the disrepair.
Clogged toilets are quite common, though there are times when a plain old plunger just won’t get the job done. In these instances, most plumbers turn to a toilet snake, also called an auger. This special tool is inserted well into the plumbing from the toilet bowl, past the first bend of the pipes, and is designed to pull out any debris that may be preventing the waste from flowing—such as a child’s toy or other inorganic material. Other common toilet problems include a continuously running toilet, water won’t return to the bowl after flushing, or a handle that is either rattling, ineffective, or stuck in place.
Tips for Preventing Toilet Plumbing Emergencies
They say prevention is the best cure—and in the instance of a plumbing emergency, this is almost always the case! Fortunately for the average homeowner, there are a number of simple habits they can get into when using the bathroom that can help to minimize the likelihood of a toilet disaster! Here are some quick tips for preventing the need for emergency toilet repair:
1. Keep it clean: There is more merit in maintaining a clean bathroom and toilet bowl than simply keeping up appearances. While the improved hygienic implications are a large factor, it also makes spotting toilet problems or changes easier. A clean toilet and floor mean you will be more likely to notice indicators of plumbing issues by the presence of rust or standing water.
2. Inspect it regularly: In an ideal world, homeowners would inspect their toilets at least every six months. Important areas to look at include the flapper, the fill valve, and the components under the tank lid. This not only deepens your understanding of the inner workings of your toilet so you can potentially make simple repairs yourself at home, but it also helps you develop a relationship with your toilet, so you understand what parts are likely to wear out in the coming months.
3. Only flush appropriate materials: We can’t stress this one enough! The only materials that are considered “flushable” are known as the Four Ps of Flushing: pee, poo, puke, and (toilet) paper are the only substances that should ever be introduced to your toilet bowl. And yes, this includes so-called “flushable” wipes!
4. Invest in a quality plunger…but call a plumber when you’re out of your depth: It can be tempting to buy the cheapest plunger at the grocery store, especially if we’ve just completed a costly move. However, it is generally a good idea to invest in a sturdy plunger that will serve you well for years rather than one that you will have to replace every few months or every year. And, as important as it is to have a plunger you can rely on, it’s equally crucial to understand when plunging alone just won’t cut it. Half of being a responsible homeowner is knowing when to call in the professionals to get the job done right!
Can't Fix Toilet? Contact Rooter John!
As tempting as it can be to attempt to fix a malfunctioning toilet on your own to save a few bucks of expense, there’s a reason why it takes years of education and understudy to become a plumber. While there are instances in which an average flange plunger can set your toilet right again, this handy tool cannot solve every toilet “emergency” or make up for years of experience at quickly solving common plumbing problems–or even taking preventative measures to keep things running smoothly well into the future.
When you know you’re out of your depth and can’t fix your toilet yourself, you have options. If you live in the L.A. area and find yourself in need of emergency toilet repair, Glendora and the surrounding communities can do no better than California’s own professional plumbing service Rooter John. Whether you have an emergency on your hands or just need a simple adjustment, our team of experts can get the job done as efficiently and effectively as possible. Contact us today for a no-obligation estimate!