No homeowners want to deal with a toilet that’s draining and flushing slowly or a leaking toilet that can waste hundreds of gallons of water constantly.

As one of the most commonly used fixtures in your home, toilets are more likely to have problems. Some of it should be left to the pros but some of them are relatively easy to do on your own. Here are some essential tips that will help your toilet run smoothly and efficiently.

Do Not Flush Any Unnecessary Items

There are only two things that should ever go down on your toilet – human waste and toilet paper.

One of the best ways to help your toilet run at its best is to not flush anything that is not meant to be flushed in your toilet bowl. Anything else that you need to dispose of like baby wipes, diapers, feminine products, or any foreign objects should be placed in the trash bin.

And even though toilet papers are made to be flushed down your toilet bowl, too much of it can still cause a clog. It is advised to use only as much paper as you need and avoid flushing a large amount at one time.

Stay Away From Chemical Cleaners

If a clog occurs in your toilet, it’s tempting to just pour a chemical drain cleaner down your toilet bowl and hope it removes the clog. However, using these products can potentially harm both your toilet and drain pipes due to their harsh chemical ingredients.

The best way to unclog your toilet is by using a plunger or an auger. But if using a plunger or an auger does not work, it’s best to call a professional plumber and let them fix your problem.

Check for Leaks Regularly

A leaky toilet is not something you should ignore. As it can end up wasting gallons of water every year and can cause a sudden increase in your water bills over time.

One of the most frequent causes is your flapper is not settled tightly into your toilet valve seat. Another one might be a cracked valve seat or a failed gasket. In order to stop the leaking, tighten up your toilet flapper or consider replacing your failed gasket. If the leak is on the overflow tube, check out the valve if it is screwed firmly into its place. And lastly, if water is overflowing from the tank, it usually means that the valve is not tight enough to block the entrance, not preventing the overflowing of water once the tank is full.

Check for Wobbles

If your toilet is wobbly or is not fastened to the floor solidly, it can affect its performance. Fortunately, there is an easy fix. Simply tighten up the nuts or bolts that may have come to lose. Any movement of your toilet can damage the wax seal that would lead to leaks and major repairs. If this is the case, call a professional plumber right away to replace either the bowl or the toilet seat.

Even when you maintain your toilet efficiently as possible, plumbing issues always seem to arise at the worst moment. Fortunately, the experienced plumbers at Caccia Plumbing can solve any of your plumbing issues that might pop up, including, toilet repairs and replacement or even busting up any stubborn clogs. For more information, give us a call at (650) 442-1470 to schedule a fast and reliable service in your home.