Regular toilet maintenance and care will help keep your plumbing in top shape.
One of the greatest inventions of our time is indoor plumbing and the toilet. We understand the importance and basic human need of a functioning and clean toilet. The toilet is so beloved that, in 2001, November 19th was deemed World Toilet Day at the World Toilet Summit.
In honor of the upcoming World Toilet Day, we’ve gathered seven helpful tips to keep your toilets clean and in top working shape, ensuring you’re never left without a place to sit.
Continue reading to learn more about keeping your toilet in good working condition.
7 professional tips to keep your toilet working well
The toilet is one of the most important home appliances; when it’s out of order, things can be grim. Here’s what you can do to keep your toilet in good working order so you never run into an issue:
Clean your toilet regularly
A store-bought toilet cleaner or an at-home version with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is an effective way to keep your porcelain throne clean. Cleaning your toilet helps you and your loved ones maintain a cleaner, more hygienic, better-smelling, and visually appealing bathroom. It also gives you the chance to catch a leak or spot a problem with your bathroom’s plumbing pretty quickly.
If you never clean up your toilet and the surrounding space, it can be tricky to determine if the water on the floor is actually from the toilet or the bathtub (or if it’s something else entirely that didn’t quite make it to the bowl).
Cleaning the outside of your toilets is as important as cleaning the inside of the bowl. After using your toilet brush and cleaner to disinfect and scrub, take a moment to wipe down and sanitize the exterior of your toilets.
Many homeowners opt for disinfecting wipes or sprays, along with paper towels, to properly clean the outside of their toilets. Make sure you wipe down all components of the toilet, including the lid, seat, handle, and base.
Avoid chemical drain cleaners for clogs
While some plumbers are comfortable with these products, others are opposed to them. When it comes to using chemical drain cleaners to unclog toilets, we advise against it, as it’s not worth the risk.
These products are highly hazardous to health if accidentally splashed on the skin, inhaled excessively, or ingested. They can also damage older fixtures and pipes, potentially leading to premature toilet replacement.
These chemicals aren’t necessary and shouldn’t be in your plumbing systems. Moreover, these chemicals may cause significant issues for properties with septic systems if they kill off the beneficial bacteria present.
Pass on the in-tank cleaning tablets
Many property owners believe that easy solutions for their toilet maintenance are best, such as an in-tank cleaning tablet. However, these products are actually more damaging to your toilet and plumbing system than you might realize.
Many in-tank cleaning products and similar options could void your warranty, as they break down the working tank trim within the tank itself. They cause more issues than they help, as they can turn the water in the tank into a corrosive liquid, resulting in damage to rubber components and leading to breaks and leaks.
Inspect your toilet about twice a year
Inspecting your toilet every six months or so is important. Remove the tank lid, flush the toilet, and observe the mechanisms in action. Verify that the flapper is sealing properly and that the fill valve stops running at a suitable water level. If you notice an issue, it may be time for toilet replacement or bathroom plumbing maintenance.
Only human waste and toilet paper get flushed
Never flush anything other than human waste and toilet paper down the toilet. We cannot emphasize this enough. Do not flush wipes (yes, even the ones that say they’re safe to flush!), feminine products, or tissues! You will avoid many major bathroom plumbing maintenance-related issues by flushing only what you should.
Address running or leaking toilets right away
Toilet leaks often go unnoticed because you won’t always find a puddle of water on the tile, as most leaks usually originate from the tank to the bowl.
This is easy to overlook or put off repairing, since it’s a slow leak. However, you may look back and realize that you’ve been paying a small increase in water bills each month. Now, this month is $100 more than it was at the same time last year.
Bathroom plumbing maintenance is not always something a homeowner can handle themselves. When it comes to bigger issues and toilet replacement, a professional is necessary.
Teach your kids about proper toilet care
While starting at a young age is best, you can still teach older kids what should and should not be flushed, how to limit toilet paper usage to avoid clogs, and the ideal way to clean a toilet. These are life-long skills that will always be necessary, especially when they move out into the world on their own — their roommates and family members will thank you!
Contact Professional Plumbing Systems for your toilet maintenance
With good toilet maintenance and proper care, your toilet will stay in top-top shape and last a very long time.
Our final tip for toilet care and maintenance is to call a trusted plumber when needed. Most plumbing jobs are too big and complex for even experienced DIYers.
If your toilet is constantly clogging, your toilet runs continually, or you have another plumbing problem, it’s time to call in the experts at Professional Plumbing Systems.
Our skilled technicians will assist you with a wide range of services, including water heaters, water softeners, drain cleaning, natural gas line installation, boiler maintenance, and new construction. We are the pros when it comes to all things plumbing systems.
We are committed to bringing our Utah County customers fair prices, expertise, and friendly service. Contact Professional Plumbing Systems today. We are even available 24/7 for emergency plumbing services.
