Bathroom Plumbing Service for Wheeling, IL and Nearby Areas

Yes and No. Flushable wipes can technically be physically flushed and while they might make it through the curved part of your toilet, they are likely to get stuck in the drainpipe or build up over time and cause a clogged drain.The problem with flushable wipes is that while they do flush and go down the drain, they don’t disintegrate. When toilet paper is wet, it falls apart quickly because it is manufactured to dissolve. Flushable wipes do not fall apart when they are wet – they hold together better than paper towels.

The bottom line is that flushable wipes will most likely cause a sewage backup and should not be used under any circumstances.

When water pools around the base of the toilet, it most likely means that the wax seal has failed. Soak up the water from the floor with a sponge and dry off the toilet with a towel. Wait until a new puddle appears on the floor, then check to make sure the water is seeping out from under the toilet and not coming from a loose supply tube, faulty shutoff valve, cracked tank, or sweaty bowl.If water is leaking from beneath the toilet, try tightening the closet bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. Use a putty knife or slotted screwdriver to pry off the bolt caps. Use a wrench to alternately tighten each bolt, a little at a time. Be careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid cracking the toilet’s base.

If tightening the bolts doesn’t help, a new wax ring needs to be installed. This can be an overwhelming do-it-yourself project. Give [company_name] a call – our professional plumbers are ready to help!

Water shut-off valves not working can be a major problem. There can be many reasons your valves aren’t working properly. The first step you should take is to turn off your main water supply, then you can figure out why your valves aren’t working.A stuck valve may only require a spray of lubricant. Spray the valve, let it rest to lubricate and then try to move the valve.

If the valve is partially closing, you will need to replace the valve.

If it’s leaking, this can mean the seal isn’t working. Try tightening the fitting and/or replacing the washer inside the valve. If neither of these fixes works, it is time to replace the valve.

A clogged shower drain can get blocked by hair and soap residue. Using a flashlight, locate the blockage (if you can) and try to remove it with your hands or a pair of tongs to extend your reach. You can also use a plunger to try to remove the clog (make sure the plunger is submerged in water). You can also try a plumbing snake and auger which can reach further down into the drain.Be careful of utilizing the boiling water/vinegar/baking soda method. If your drain is attached to PVC (plastic) pipes, the boiling water could melt or damage the plastic, creating a much larger problem.

One of the worst things you can do to unclog a drain is to use a chemical solution such as Drano. The chemicals in these products can corrode your pipes, increasing the risk of leaks, and can have potentially dangerous reactions to other things found in your plumbing system.

If you’re unable to clear the drain using the methods above, we can help.

Clogged or Faulty Fixtures: Fixtures themselves, such as showerheads or faucets, can become faulty or clogged over time. In some cases, simply cleaning out the screen or aerator is enough to fix the issue, but at other times, an entire fixture may need to be replaced. To clean the aerator, unscrew the nozzle and look for signs of buildup. If the piece needs to be cleaned, soak it in a vinegar-water solution; if that doesn’t work, buy a replacement. While the aerator is off, turn on the faucet to confirm that is the issue. If low water pressure persists, the problem may not be the aerator after all but rather a clog in the line to the fixture. Clogged lines are best handled by a plumber.

Too much water in the tank.

The most common cause for a running toilet is overflow water leaking down into the bowl from the tank via the overflow tube. This happens when there’s too much water in the tank. You can adjust the water level by adjusting the height of the float. To lower the water in a toilet with a float arm, loosen or tighten the screw until the float arm lowers. To lower the water in a toilet with a column float attached to the fill valve, loosen the screw or clip, push down the float, and tighten everything back up again.

Leaking Flapper.

Another reason for a running toilet is an old flapper that needs to be replaced. When flappers get old, they don’t seal the way they should, and this allows water to pass constantly from the toilet tank into the bowl. To replace the flapper, simply remove the old one and replace it with a new one from the hardware store. Remove the old one by detaching the chain and taking the flapper off the pins on the side of the overflow tube. To attach the new one, connect the chain and attach the sides to the pins.

Tip: Drain the water from the tank before you replace the flapper. Shut off the water supply to the toilet, and then flush the toilet to drain the water.

Tip: If the chain is too long on the new flapper, you may need to shorten it. If it’s long enough to get caught underneath the flapper, you won’t get a good seal, and the toilet will continue to run.

The Refill Tube is Too Long.

Another cause of a running toilet could be that the refill tube is always pumping water into the bowl. This happens when the tube is too long and isn’t positioned properly. To shorten, pull the refill tube out of the overflow and hold it just above the opening of the overflow. Trim it off at that point and clip it to the side of the overflow tube to keep it in place.

If none of these remedies work, give us a call and we’ll be happy to diagnose and fix the problem.

When your sewer line is clogged, sewage can come out of your toilet, tub, or shower. When your sewer line (also known as the main line) is clogged, water can’t go down the drain. Instead, it flows back up the pipes and comes out at the lowest point — usually the shower drain.