Toilet Repair and Maintenance Checklist

Tools and Parts For Toilet Repair & Maintenance

• Adjustable wrench


• Toilet auger


• Replacement flap valves


• Wax ring (or wax-free gasket)


• Repair kit for fill valves


• Screwdriver set


• Leak test Food colouring


• Shims and level


• Silicone caulk (blah)


• Personal clean-up towels and gloves

Toilet Repair & Maintenance Checklist

A toilet repair and maintenance includes various aspects. Find all aspects here.

Visual Inspection and Checklist

• Inspect the toilet bowl and tank, such that there are no obvious cracks or take away chips.


• Look at the bottom of the toilet.


• Make sure that you secure the level of the toilet, and it is not rocking or moving around.


• Check the flooring to see whether it is wet or dirty, or soft.


• Ensure that the lid of the tank is appropriate and not broken.


• Check fittings to see if they are rusty, corroded, or even congested with minerals.


• That wall or floor supply lines are well fastened to the wall and not leaking.


• Look around the baseboards and behind the toilet area; there should be no mold or mildew.

Mechanism Flushing and Handle Checklist

• Do a test of the hardness and agility of the flush lever.


• Check the chain length of the flush-too short or too long.


• Make it open up completely (the flapper) and ensure that it closes tightly as the flushing takes place.


• Change broken or worn flush rods, levers, or chains.


• Check the flapper valve to ascertain whether it is worn out, warped, or waterlogged.


• At the flush valve, ensure there is a clean and smooth flushing valve.


• Install a two-flush system in case you desire to conserve water.


• Apply other parts where necessary (use silicone-based lubricants).

Water Supply and Fill Valve Inspection Checklist

• Test to ensure a regular cut-off of water after filling the fill valve.


• Listen to any hissing, or trickles-leaks or slow filling.


• Check the mechanism of the float to work properly and adjust the height.


• Set the level at which the water is in the tank slightly under the overflow tube (approximately 1 inch).


• The old-fashioned ballcocks are to be replaced by the modern float-cup fill valves.


• Make sure that the supply shut-off valve works well.


• Replace flexible water supply lines where they are dripping or parts are corroded.


• Test water pressure-Put too much pressure on the valve, and you can destroy the internals.

Toilet Bowl and Drainage Inspection

• To check how fast the drain is, pour a bucket of water into the bowl.


• Check for poor flushes, gurgling, or not emptying the bowl.


• Apply a toilet auger to clear the partial clogs at the back of the trap.


• Investigate water splashes or waste re-runs to report on drain problems.


• Monitor the level of water in the bowl; excess water or very little water may be a sign of a blockage.


• Check the internal leaks with the help of dye tablets or food colouring.


• Siphon jets and rim holes shall be clean in order to achieve uniform distribution of water.


• Do not use tough chemical drain cleaners as they may break down porcelain and pipes.

Wax Ring And Seal Checklist

• Look on the floor underneath the toilet, and around the area; there should be no water or lingering odor.


• To get rid of these unhygienic conditions, shake the toilet lightly to determine whether it is loose or unsteady.


• Change the wax ring in case of seepage of water.


• Clean and check the underside of the flange in case there is any crack or corrosion.


• Make sure (but do not over-tighten to the point of cracking the base) the bolts on the closets.


• To fix the toilet that rocks, use plastic shims to level it.


• Seal the edge with silicone caulk because water may seep through (it is mandatory in some provinces).


• A wax-free type seal can be used to allow easier future replacement.

Toilet Leak Detection Checklist

• Test the flapper by adding a few drops of food colouring to the tank-and then wait 15 minutes.


• The tank and base area should be tested with a tissue test around the area.


• Ensure that there are no leaking tank bolts, and rubber washers are used.


• Look at the connection points of the supply lines that are wet.


• Examine the gasket between the tank and the gasket bowl.


• Always keep an eye on your water bill and pay the slightest attention to spikes, since sudden spikes in water bills may indicate the presence of a posited leak.


• In case of gasket or washer leaks, they ought to be changed immediately so as to prevent damage.


• In your problem bathrooms, install an electronic leak detection sensor or alarm in the base.

Noisy Toilet Checklist

• Diagnose what the noise is (hissing, whistling, banging), and when it appears.


• The sound of hissing when flushing is probably caused by a poor adjustment of the float or a worn-out fill valve.


• Check your house to see whether you have a water hammer and install arrestors where required.


• Whistling or squealing: probably some mineral deposits in your valves-clean them or get new ones.


• Verify that there is water in the tank and bowl.


• Place a quiet-fill valve in case noise occurs all the time, even in a silent house.


• Embark on replacing age-old ballcock systems with new types of floating cups.

Checklist of Tank Interior

• Lift the cover and check all the internal parts.


• Turn on the water and have a look at the mechanism until the toilet flushes.


• Remove float arms, valve caps, and seats and clean them of mineral deposits.


• Look at the overflow tube height and make sure it is not cracked.


• Examine the bolts of the tanks to see whether there is rust or leakage.


• Be sure to loosen or tighten all loose nuts--but be careful not to crack the porcelain.


• Make sure that all rubber parts (washers, gaskets, flappers) are not hard and are not rotted out.


• It is possible to install a tank liner or an insulation kit in case of sweating.

Toilet Seat & Cover Inspection List

• The toilet seat should also be fixed firmly so that there is no wobble.


• Check seat bolts and change in case of corrosion.


• In case of a shift of seat, tighten the hinges using a screwdriver.


• Wipe clean hinge areas where solids or urine can accumulate.


• Make sure there are no cracks or scratches on the seat or lid.


• You can have a soft-close seat installed to avoid slamming.


• Invest in new seats to keep them out of the hygiene concern and improve aesthetics.


• Make sure the bad results of damaging plastic or porcelain fittings are avoided by using the right tools.

Water Efficiency and Toilet Upgrades Checklist

• Install out-dated toilets (3.5 GPF+ ) in order to save money on water bills.


• Install the dual flush to save water.


• In case it cannot be replaced, insert a displacement device into the tank.


• Train house owners on how to ensure that float levels can be adjusted in order to prevent wastage of water.


• Touchless or sensor-based flush valves are also installed to save and be hygienic.


• Calculate GPF, unsure of how much is GPF with a measuring jug.

Seasonal Toilet Maintenance Checklist

Spring & Autumn

• Wash down seldom-used toilets so that seals will not dry.


• The chances that there is a Wax ring or a smelly leak.


• Examine the fittings of a supply line at the onset of seasons when the humidity is high.


• Wash any mineral deposit away or splatter it on any surfaces.

Before the Holidays or Visitors Coming In

• The toilet seat must be tight and flush fine.


• Make sure that it flushes well to avoid the embarrassment of clogging.


• Spare parts: fill valve, flapper, plunger.


• Checking of potential obstructions in the vent stack (especially in multi-storey houses).


• Put air fresheners or deodorisers that the guests can use.

Checklist of Professional Toilet Plumber Assistance

• Water that is seeping through floor surfaces or ceilings should be called to an accredited plumber.


• Do not even dare to move the toilet in case you see flange damage-let a pro do the job.


• Regular backup or frequent slow-flowing toilets can be a problem on the sewer side.


• Off-putting scents that are persistent could be an indication of blockages of the vent stacks.


• Install new toilets and hire experts to install them to help in case of warranty and protection of the fitting.