The Kinds of Tools Plumbers Use to Repair a Toilet
A toilet doesn’t look like much from the outside. The sleek and smooth porcelain shape is one that people know intimately, even if they don’t necessarily want to. The fact is that most people have had to deal with a clogged, noisy, or broken toilet at some point. It’s not the most pleasant experience. For this reason, toilet repair is often a crash-course, especially if there’s water overflowing. So, one thing is certain: there’s more to a toilet than meets the eye. This is why it’s important to know the kinds of tools used to repair a toilet and keep it in tip-top shape!
Unclogging Tools
The most common issue among toilets is a clog. This is more typical of older toilets, as newer ones tend to have wider “traps” where the waste flows. Of course, the most basic plumbing tool for a clogged toilet is the plunger. This tool uses a combination of water and pressure to dislodge clogs.
A plumbers snake is the next tool in the unclogging kit. This tool is brought in when a plunger can’t do the job. It’s essentially a long, semi-flexible auger. A snake is fed into the toilet drain or “trap,” where clogs usually occur. Once in there, the user can turn a handle, which will cause the snake to twist around, dislodging or breaking up the clog.
Lastly, there’s the hydro-jet. The hydro-jet is essentially a nozzle connected to a system that creates high water pressure. The nozzle is placed in the toilet, and the jet of water it releases clears away the clog.
Tools for Other Toilet Repairs
The next most common type of toilet repair is the fill valve and flapper. A faulty flapper often causes that incessant running of the toilet. If the fill valve is old, it’s often better to rebuild the toilet tank than to just replace one part. To do this, plumbers use a few standard tools. One is the adjustable wrench, and another is a flathead screwdriver for the hardware in the toilet tank. Longnose pliers often come in handy as well, especially if the chain to the flapper needs work.
Tools for Replacing a Toilet
Replacing an entire toilet is a job that many people leave to professionals, and with good reason. It’s not the most pleasant thing in the world to do and it takes a little time. The most common tools for replacing a toilet include an adjustable wrench, a putty knife, a bucket, a sponge, towels, and a level.
There’s no special tool required for replacing a toilet, but in order to prevent leaks from the base of the toilet, it’s best to be familiar with the process. The wrench is used to release the bolts on either side of the toilet, and fasten the new ones. The bucket, sponge, and towels are for removing the water from the tank. The putty knife is for removing the remnants of the wax sealing ring from the floor. Finally, the level is for making sure the toilet is leveled so that it can function correctly.
About Everest Plumbing
Everest Plumbing has been serving homeowners in Greenville, SC, for the past 10 years. They offer fast, friendly, and clean service. Their pricing is always flat-rate, and they guarantee satisfaction on every job. Contact them for help installing or repairing a malfunctioning toilet.
