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 New Jersey home inspection NJ home inspectors perform Certified New Jersey home inspections in NJ.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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This file was last updated on Thursday, 06-Mar-2008 09:38:13 EST * Copyright © 2008 All rights reserved by: Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm providing New Jersey Certified Home Inspections in NJ, by New Jersey Licensed home inspectors. Inspector of record Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector License GI 0121. |
