If a toilet is overflowing, lift the tank lid and push the flapper down, or close the shutoff valve behind the toilet by turning it clockwise. Then call. We dispatch 24/7, including nights and weekends, for toilet overflows and leaks that are spreading to the floor below. Do not flush again until a plumber looks at it.
The five toilet problems we see most
Toilet symptoms and causes
- Runs after flushingA worn flapper, a bad fill valve or a chain that is too tight.
- Weak flushClogged rim jets, low water in the tank or a partial drain clog.
- Water around the baseA failed wax ring or loose closet bolts.
- Tank leaks to the floorCracked tank, bad tank bolts or a faulty supply line.
- Rocking toiletLoose bolts, an uneven floor or a damaged flange.
A running toilet costs more than it looks
A toilet that keeps running can waste hundreds of gallons a day. On a metered water bill, that shows up as a sudden jump. A quick test is to drop food coloring into the tank. If color reaches the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking.
The repair is usually small, such as a flapper or a fill valve. It is worth doing quickly because the water you waste is billed. A running toilet is also one of the first things we check when someone calls about a high bill, and the leak detection page covers the rest.
Overflowing and clogged toilets
A plunger solves most simple clogs. If the toilet clogs repeatedly or other drains in the house are slow, the problem may be deeper in the line. A closet auger can reach a clog in the toilet trap, and a machine cable can clear the branch.
If several fixtures are slow or the toilet gurgles when you run the sink, see drain cleaning or sewer line cleaning. Do not use chemical drain cleaners in a toilet, because they can damage the fixture and the plumber who opens it.
Replacing a toilet: when it makes sense
| Condition | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked bowl or tank | Replace | Cracks cannot be sealed safely |
| Worn flapper or fill valve | Repair | Low cost and quick |
| Old unit with constant clogs | Replace | A modern toilet flushes with less water |
| Leak at the base, floor intact | Repair | New wax ring and bolts |
| Rotted floor near flange | Repair floor first | Subfloor damage must be fixed |
If you are replacing a toilet, a plumber checks the flange, the supply line and the floor beneath it. Older Hingham houses may have a cast iron flange that has corroded, and sometimes the subfloor around it has softened from slow leaks. We tell you before the new toilet is set.
Permits and rules
The state's plumbing board fact sheet lists fixing a leaky faucet and clearing a blocked drain as minor repairs that do not need a permit. Replacing or relocating a working part, or any work that may affect public health, is not minor. Ask your plumber or the Hingham building department whether a new toilet in your case needs one.
Massachusetts requires a licensed master or journeyman plumber for plumbing work, and you can verify a license on the state's eLIPSE portal. We recommend you check any plumber you hire.
What toilet repair costs
Most toilet repairs are modest, and the price depends on what has failed and what the floor looks like.
What moves the price
- Part replacedA flapper is a small repair, while a new fill valve costs more.
- Fixture conditionA cracked toilet or old porcelain is a replacement.
- Flange and floorDamage under the toilet adds repair work.
- New toilet typeStandard, comfort height and wall-hung units differ.
- After-hours timingEmergency calls outside business hours are priced for that.
Homeowners insurance may cover water damage from a sudden overflow but not the toilet itself. Photograph the area and ask your agent if the leak spread.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We repair toilets in ZIP codes 02043, 02025, 02188, 02189, 02190, 02191, 02061 and 02045. Hull homes in flood-prone blocks and finished basements in any town are especially exposed to overflow damage, so shut off the valve fast. Call our dispatch line if water is spreading.
Replacing a flapper or fill valve inside an existing toilet is a small repair. Setting a new toilet or moving a fixture is different, and the fact sheet says relocating fixtures is not minor.
Questions homeowners ask
A worn flapper, a bad fill valve or a chain that is too tight is the usual cause. It is a small repair that saves water.
Yes. We handle overflowing and leaking toilets 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Close the shutoff valve behind the toilet and call.
A failed wax ring or loose bolts are common. A cracked tank or loose supply line can also leak near the base.
Yes. Our dispatch is 24/7. If the toilet is overflowing, close the shutoff valve and call.
A leak or a running toilet is often a cheap repair. A cracked unit or repeated clogs usually means replacement.
State rules treat fixing a leak as minor but replacing working parts is not minor. Ask your plumber about your case.