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DOWN FLUSH TOILET, WATER CLOSET OR BIDET: Down flush toilets, water closets or bidets are most common. These units sit on the floor and flush downward through the floor. These units have their share of problems. Usually a wax seal is used to seal the unit to a closet flange mounted at the floor. Sometimes this seal will leak and water will show up around the bottom of the bowl at the floor line. If the unit is installed on a wood floor, this leak will eventually cause wood rot and destruction of the floor. Water closets sometimes leak at the tank flange which is between the tank and bowl. The rubber "donut" gasket located between the tank and the bowl is replaceable. The bolts which hold the tank to the bowl may also leak at the rubber gasket under the head of the bolt inside the tank. These are easy to replace but be sure to replace one before removing the other to prevent the tank from shifting. Leaks from the supply tubing are not uncommon. Leaks from the flush handle usually mean the water level is too high. Often, the water will spray against the underside of the tank lid and water will run out over the tank sides. Water closets have built-in traps. All sorts of things can become lodged in these traps without your knowledge. Pencils, toothbrushes, combs, and other items, are often found in water closet traps. When something is stuck in the trap, it will cause slow flush action by restricting the outflow of water. A small, toilet auger may have to be used to recover the offending object. Hard water deposits can also slow the flush action. Water closet bowls should be kept clean with a good chemical cleaner. If you have a septic tank, be sure the chemical will not affect the septic system. Water closets should be kept secure to the floor. There should be two to four bolts on the base of the water closet. CAREFULLY tighten these bolts if you notice any side to side rocking of the water closet. Cracks may or may not leak. Other than replacing units which do leak, one may try to apply silicone caulk to the crack. Of course, the crack would have to be totally dry for this to work. The water is held in the tank with a "tank ball." The tank ball may be a flapper type or one held with lift rods. If the water flow does not shut off when it has been flushed, problems with the tank ball are suspect. Water should be kept at the proper level inside the tank. There is an overflow tube inside the tank. The level of water should be about 1 inch below the top of this tube. The water flow begins after each flush because a float on a long brass arm has dropped down with the receding water level. Some types ride up and down the overflow tube itself. As the water rises, the float arm shuts off the water with its connected lever valve. Sometimes this valve wears out and will leak. Sometimes the float will be set incorrectly and cause water to flow over the overflow tube. Bending the brass float arm is the usual way to correct the water level. Keep the water closet seat tightened to the bowl. Loose seat bolts can bind against the sides of the holes where they pass through the bowl and could crack the bowl. 

CULTURED MARBLE / ACRYLICS (CORIAN ®) / GRANITE / MARBLE: 

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