Common toilet complaints
- The cistern tops itself up now and then when nobody has flushed
- A hiss or trickle that never fully stops
- The bowl rocks when someone sits down
- Water appearing on the floor around the base
- A feeble flush that often takes two goes
- Stains on the ceiling below an upstairs bathroom
Why these faults show up in local homes
Hard water from Lake Ontario leaves mineral deposits on flappers, fill valves and the small rim holes under the bowl. Rubber parts harden over time. In older bungalows the floor under the toilet may have softened from years of slow seepage, which lets the bowl move and breaks the wax seal. Condo toilets in Scarborough City Centre towers face the same wear, with the added worry of a neighbour's ceiling below.
How we repair a toilet
- The water is shut off at the toilet valve and the tank is drained.
- We test the flapper, fill valve, flush valve, handle and supply line.
- Worn parts are replaced with standard components that are easy to find later.
- If the base wobbles or seeps, the toilet comes up, the flange gets a look, and it goes back down on a new wax ring.
- The toilet is refilled, flushed several times and checked for drips.
What shapes the cost
Swapping a flapper is simple. A broken flange, a rotted subfloor or a corroded shut-off valve adds steps. Some older or unusual models need specific parts. If repair does not make sense, we will say so and talk about a replacement.
When to call right away
Call if water is leaking onto the floor or through a ceiling, or if the toilet overflows when flushed. Turn the oval valve behind the toilet clockwise to stop the supply while you wait.