Reliable Plumber in Chicago for Toilet Repair and Installation

Addressing a Running Toilet

One of the most common complaints we receive is a toilet that won’t stop running. While it may seem like a minor nuisance, a running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day, leading to a significant spike in your monthly utility bills. This issue is typically caused by internal component failure within the tank.

The most frequent culprit is a deteriorated flapper. This rubber seal sits at the bottom of the tank and lifts to release water into the bowl when you flush. Over time, chemicals in the water, such as chlorine or cleaning tablets, can warp or erode the rubber, preventing a watertight seal. This allows water to continuously trickle into the bowl, forcing the fill valve to run perpetually to keep the tank full.

Another common cause is a faulty fill valve. If the float mechanism is set too high or the valve itself is calcified, water will rise above the overflow tube and drain continuously. Our technicians inspect the entire flush assembly. We check the condition of the flush valve seat, the chain length, the float adjustment, and the fill valve integrity. By replacing these internal components with durable, high-performance parts, we silence the noise and stop the waste immediately.

Fixing Leaks at the Base

A leak at the base of the toilet is a serious issue that requires immediate professional attention. Unlike a tank leak which might just drip clean water, water seeping out from under the toilet bowl is often contaminated. Furthermore, this water can seep into the subfloor, causing wood rot, mold growth, and structural damage to your bathroom floor.

In many cases, this leak indicates that the wax ring—the seal sandwiched between the toilet horn and the floor flange—has failed. Wax rings can degrade over time, or they can break if the toilet is not securely bolted down and rocks back and forth during use.

When you call Precision Today for a base leak, we don’t just caulk around the edge. Caulking without fixing the seal merely traps the water underneath the toilet, accelerating rot. We remove the toilet entirely to inspect the flange and subfloor. If the flange is broken or corroded, we repair or replace it to ensure a solid anchor. We then install a new, high-quality wax ring (or a synthetic alternative for heated floors) and reseat the toilet, ensuring it is level and bolted tight before applying a cosmetic sanitary seal.

Correcting Weak or Partial Flushes

A toilet that requires two or three flushes to clear the bowl is frustrating and wasteful. Weak flushing power is often caused by issues that are invisible to the naked eye. Over time, mineral deposits from hard water can accumulate in the rim jets—the small holes under the rim of the bowl where water enters. When these jets become clogged with calcium and lime, the water cannot enter the bowl with enough force to initiate a strong siphon.

We also examine the flush valve size and the water level in the tank. If the water level is set too low, there is insufficient volume to push waste through the trapway. In older low-flow toilets, the design itself may be inefficient. Our technicians have the tools to clear mineral buildup from rim jets and siphon jets, restoring the original flushing power. If the toilet’s design is obsolete and inherently poor, we provide honest recommendations for modern replacements that offer superior performance with less water usage.

Clog Removal and Drain Clearing

While a plunger can handle minor blockages, recurring or stubborn clogs indicate a deeper problem. If your toilet backs up frequently, or if water bubbles up in the shower when you flush, the blockage may be located further down the main sewer line rather than in the toilet trap itself.

Precision Today utilizes advanced drain cleaning technology to address these issues. For local clogs lodged in the toilet’s S-trap (often caused by “flushable” wipes, toys, or hygiene products), we use specialized closet augers designed to navigate the porcelain curves without scratching the finish. For deeper blockages, we may employ video camera inspection to locate the obstruction and use heavy-duty snakes or hydro-jetting to clear the line. We ensure the entire pathway is clear so you don’t face the same problem next week.

Repair vs. Replace: Making the Right Decision

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    Cracked porcelain: Even a hairline crack in the tank or bowl is a ticking time bomb. Porcelain cracks can expand suddenly, causing massive flooding. There is no safe repair for cracked china; replacement is mandatory.
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    Frequent clogging: Older low-flow toilets (specifically those from the mid-1990s) often suffer from poor design. If you’re plunging weekly, a modern toilet with a larger trapway and glazed channel will eliminate the headache.
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    Inefficiency: If your toilet was manufactured before 1994, it likely uses 3.5 to 5 gallons per flush (gpf). Replacing it with a current 1.28 gpf model can save a family of four thousands of gallons of water annually.
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    Cosmetic damage: Scratches inside the bowl can harbor bacteria and make cleaning impossible. If your toilet looks permanently dirty despite scrubbing, the glazing has likely worn off.

Choosing the Right Toilet for Your Home

When you choose Precision Today for installation, we ensure you select a unit that meets your specific needs. We consider several factors:

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  Bowl shape: Elongated bowls offer more comfort and support for adults, while round-front bowls are excellent for smaller bathrooms where space is at a premium.
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  Height: “Comfort height” or “chair height” toilets sit 17-19 inches off the floor, compared to the standard 15 inches. These are highly recommended for taller individuals, the elderly, or anyone with mobility issues, making sitting and standing easier.
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  Flushing technology: We install gravity-feed, pressure-assisted, and dual-flush models. Dual-flush toilets give you the option to use less water for liquid waste, maximizing conservation.
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  One-piece vs. two-piece: One-piece toilets are sleeker and easier to clean because they lack the seam between tank and bowl where dirt and germs often collect. However, two-piece models are typically more affordable and easier to transport.

The Precision Today Installation Process

Our installation process is rigorous and designed to prevent future failure. When we arrive to install your new toilet, we treat your home with respect, using drop cloths and shoe covers to protect your flooring.

Step 1: Removal and Inspection

We shut off the water supply, drain the old unit, and carefully disconnect it. Once the old toilet is removed, we don’t just drop the new one in. We meticulously clean the flange, removing all traces of the old wax ring and putty. This is the most critical step; old wax residue can prevent a perfect seal.

Step 2: Flange Repair

We inspect the closet flange (the pipe fitting in the floor). If it’s cracked, rusted, or sitting below the finished floor level (common after new tile is installed), we install a repair ring or flange extender. A flange that is not at the correct height is the number one cause of base leaks.

Step 3: Sealing and Setting

We apply a high-grade wax ring or a wax-free synthetic seal depending on the specific floor conditions. We then lower the new bowl onto the bolts with precision alignment. We press down evenly to compress the wax, creating a gas-tight and water-tight seal.

Step 4: Leveling and Securing

We tighten the closet bolts gradually, alternating sides to ensure even pressure. Overtightening can crack the porcelain base, so our technicians use a delicate touch. We check the bowl with a level; if the floor is uneven, we use composite shims to stabilize the toilet so it never rocks.

Step 5: Final Connections and Testing

We install the tank (if two-piece), connect the water supply line (often replacing old rigid lines with flexible braided stainless steel for safety), and turn on the water. We conduct multiple flush tests to verify tank level, flush power, and leak integrity. Finally, we caulk the base of the toilet where it meets the floor—a code requirement that prevents urine and water from getting trapped under the bowl.

The Hidden Risks of Ignoring Toilet Problems

Many homeowners delay calling a plumber for “minor” toilet issues, assuming they can live with a little jiggle in the handle or a faint trickling sound. However, procrastination in plumbing often leads to exponential costs.

Consider the “wobbly” toilet. If your toilet shifts slightly when you sit on it, the wax seal beneath is being compromised with every movement. Eventually, this seal will break, allowing sewer gas to enter your home and water to leak unnoticed into the subfloor. By the time you see a water stain on the ceiling below, the subfloor may have rotted through, requiring major carpentry repairs in addition to plumbing.

Similarly, a running toilet is not just annoying; it’s a financial drain. A medium-sized leak can waste 200 gallons of water a day. Over a month, that’s 6,000 gallons—enough to fill a small swimming pool. In the Chicago area, where water and sewer rates continue to adjust, this waste appears directly on your utility bill. The cost of a professional repair from Precision Today is often recouped in just a few months of water savings.

Plumbing problems? We’ll fix it — today.

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