Plumbing • RepairRiot

Toilet Troubleshooting & Repair Guides

Find the closest toilet plumbing symptom and open the guide that matches what is happening before you take things apart or replace parts.

Find The SymptomCheck SafelyFix The Right Problem
Toilet plumbing repair scene

Find your toilet problem

Start with the symptom you can see. If water is active, shut it off first, then use the guide that matches the first thing that went wrong.

Flush and clogs

Toilet won’t flush

The handle moves but the toilet will not flush properly.

Toilet weak flush

The bowl clears poorly or needs repeat flushing.

Toilet clogged

Water rises or drains slowly after flushing.

Running and refilling

Toilet keeps running

Water keeps moving after the flush should be done.

Toilet ghost flushing

The toilet refills by itself without being flushed.

Toilet fills slowly

The tank takes too long to refill.

Leaks and rocking

Toilet leaking at base

Water appears around the floor at the toilet base.

Toilet leaking from tank

Water leaks from the tank, bolts, or gasket area.

Toilet rocking

The toilet moves when you sit or shift weight.

Water level and overflow

Toilet not filling

The tank or bowl does not refill normally.

Toilet overflowing

Water rises too high or spills over.

Toilet water level low

The bowl water sits lower than normal.

Noise and smells

Toilet hisses after fill

A hiss continues after the tank refills.

Toilet whistles while filling

A whistle happens during refill.

Toilet smells like sewer

Sewer odor appears around the toilet.

More Plumbing topics

Kitchen Sink

Kitchen Sink

Bathroom Sink

Bathroom Sink

Shower

Shower

Bathtub

Bathtub

Faucet

Faucet

Drain / Sewer

Drain / Sewer

Sump Pump

Sump Pump

Well Pump / Pressure Tank

Well Pump / Pressure Tank

Water Pressure

Water Pressure

Shutoff Valves

Shutoff Valves

Frozen Pipes

Frozen Pipes

Sink Components

Sink Components

Pipes / Fittings

Pipes / Fittings