Broken or malfunctioning toilets can cause stress and inconvenience, especially if you only have one bathroom. Plumbers understand the urgency of fixing these issues, so many of them offer round-the-clock services. Depending on what’s wrong, you can expect toilet repair costs to average $271, with a range between $150 and $391.
Because numerous issues can cause the need for toilet repairs, the cost varies with factors like the extent of the damage and the source of the problem. Below we cover the different repairs and issues you might encounter and how much they cost.
Toilet Repair Cost Factors
The toilet parts involved, the problems you’re experiencing, the type of toilet, and more factors play a role in your overall toilet repair costs. Here’s how each of these components could work into your budget.
From one homeowner to another
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There are various reasons why your toilet might malfunction, and the total repair cost will depend on the source of the issue, which is most often related to a specific toilet part.
Toilet Replacement Part
Average Cost
Valve
$50–$150
Flange
$145–$350
Wax ring
$50–$200
Tank
$50–$100
Bowl
$70–$100
Pipes
$70–$700
Siphon
$100–$200
New toilet seat
$50–$70
Toilet handle
$50–$80
Toilet replacement
$90–$1,500
Valve Replacements: Valve replacements cost $50–$150 and resolve noisy or slow toilets. The fill valve refills the tank after each flush, the shut-off valve controls water flow, and the flush valve controls water coming from the tank to the bowl.
Flange: The flange secures the toilet to the floor and connects it to the drainpipe. The cost to replace a flange is $145–$165, including labor. Damaged flanges can cause leaks, so the repair is worth it.
Wax Ring: Replacing a wax ring costs$50–$200. This part seals the toilet base to the floor drain. Plumbers use plates to examine and replace this part.
Tank: A toilet tank replacement costs $50–$100. Cracks, stains, and discoloration are signs it’s time to change it.
Bowl: A new toilet bowl averages $70–$100 without labor, but a new toilet could be more cost-effective. The bowl is the main toilet part, so if damaged, it can cause leaks and wobble.
Pipes: The drain under the toilet carries water and waste out of the home. Repairs cost $70–$700. Minor clogs are resolved with a snake, cleaning liquids, or flushing. Severe clogs require dismantling drain lines and manual cleaning. Flushing the wrong items causes the most common clogs.
Siphon: Sometimes called the syphon, flap valve, or toilet flush, this valve carries waste from the bowl to the drain. This quick replacement costs $100–$200.
Toilet Seat: Swapping out a toilet seat costs $50–$70. Toilet seats wear out over time, or the bolts rust or become loose or are damaged. High-end seats cost more than budget-friendly options.
Toilet Handle: Toilet handles loosen or become damaged over time. Handle repair costs $50–$80, and replacement takes an hour or less. However, sourcing handles for antique or rare designs can complicate the repair.
Toilet Replacement: A plumber may recommend replacing a toilet, which could be more cost-effective than some repairs. Expect to spend roughly $175 for installation and $90–$1,500 for the new toilet.
Toilet Repair Costs by Issue
Here are common toilet problems that you’re most likely to encounter. Find your issue below to get an idea of how much it will cost to get your bathroom back in working order. Contact a local plumber, as some of these issues can lead to more damage or water use, increasing your costs.
Toilet Issue
Average Repair Cost
Running toilet
$100–$400
Leaky toilet
$100–$600
Clogged toilet
$85–$600
Loose toilet
$50–$200
Slow-filling toilet
$60–$200
Running Toilet: Repairing a running toilet costs $100–$400. Causes include a leaky flapper, too much water in the tank, or refill tube issues.
Leaky Toilet: Expect to pay $100–$600 for leaky toilet repairs. Leaks happen where the toilet meets the floor, at the water supply valve, and between the bowl and tank.
Clogged Toilet: Repairing a toilet clog costs $85–$600. Minor clogs are DIYable with a drain snake (safe for porcelain), and most clogs occur after flushing too many times.
Loose Toilet: When the wax ring fails, the toilet becomes loose. A new wax ring installation or repair costs $50–$200.
Slow-Filling Toilet: Fixing a slow-filling toilet costs $60–$200. Causes include a broken water supply valve, float ball malfunction, or clogged or faulty fill valve.
Angi Tip
Never flush anything down the toilet other than toilet paper. Wipes (even if they're "flushable"), paper towels, and hygiene products can wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Call a plumber if you have a clogged toilet that a plunger can't handle.
The type of toilet in your bathroom also affects your repair costs. One-piece toilet repairs fall around $50 to $200, and these toilets don’t need as many repairs or maintenance. Two-piece toilets are easier to install but need more frequent repairs, which cost $50 to $250. Wall-hung toilet repairs range between $50 and $400 and could include issues with leaks in the wall.
If you have a pressure-assisted toilet, expect to pay more for repair costs, depending on the required parts. These toilets are rarely repaired by homeowners, so you’ll need to call a plumber to examine the problem.
When it comes to toilet repair, you’re primarily paying for labor and expertise, as the parts are on the inexpensive side. To that end, professional plumbers charge anywhere from $45 to $200 per hour, depending on skill level. All told, labor accounts for 60% to 75% of the overall toilet repair cost.
The good news is most toilet repair jobs take an hour or less, with drainpipe issues being an exception. Additionally, if a plumber has to move the entire toilet out to make room for a new one, they charge $25 to $50 for this service.
Accessibility
Plumbers charge by the hour, so any accessibility issues add to your overall bill. Make sure your bathroom is clean and tidy, and remove any unnecessary fixtures. The goal is to give your pro immediate access to all parts of the toilet, including the space behind the tank.
To speed things up further, try to be there during the service visit to describe the problem and assist with simple tasks, such as removing the tank lid. Of course, you can’t control everything, and some bathrooms are cramped, increasing problems with accessibility.
Plumbing Repair 101
Emergency Call or Time of Call
Some toilet problems, such as extreme leaks, require immediate repairs to avoid damage to your home. Unfortunately, these issues don’t abide by regular business hours. If you need to hire a plumber ASAP for an emergency, it costs an extra $100 to $300 outside of regular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
If the problem can wait until your plumber’s next available appointment, great, but if not, don’t hesitate to take advantage of these emergency services.
Flooring
In the case of major repairs, particularly those requiring lifting the toilet from the ground, floor damage is possible. If the pro tears out the flooring during the repair process, removing and replacing the damaged tiles costs $9 to $20per square foot. This cost fluctuates depending on the type of flooring materials present and the extent of the damage.
Not every plumber is trained to replace any flooring, so there may be additional costs if they outsource the job to a professional flooring installer.
Most common toilet issues are repairable. However, there are times when you’re better off with a toilet replacement. Some signs it’s time to replace your toilet include how long you’ve had it and whether you’re having constant issues. Most toilets last 25 years, so if your toilet is nearing the end of its life span, replace it instead of doing repairs.
If you’re repeatedly frustrated with paying for small and large repairs, that’s another sign that it’s time to install a new toilet. If repairs cost more than half the cost of a new toilet (including installation), you could save money by replacing it. Keep in mind that older toilets are less efficient, so replacing yours with a newer model, like a dual-flush or a low-flow toilet, could lower your water bill.
Finally, if your toilet bowl or tank has cracks, you need a replacement since you can’t repair them.
DIY Toilet Repair Costs vs. Hiring a Pro
The cost of repairing a toilet yourself depends on the issue. DIY toilet repair projects include replacing a flapper valve or wax ring, replacing the handle, or tightening the bolts. However, you should contact a plumber for extensive and complex issues, such as severe clogs and leaks or pipe replacement.
As previously stated, labor accounts for around 60% of toilet repair jobs. Going the DIY route saves you $100 or more, but reserve this for simple, DIYable issues. Not only are plumbers experienced in the most complicated toilet issues, but they’re also insured if anything goes wrong.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toilets last about 25 years, although good maintenance can increase the life span. Some factors that affect a toilet’s life span are poor maintenance, hard water buildup, and a damaged finish. If you have an older toilet that still works, it could still benefit you to upgrade to a high-efficiency model to save on water costs.
A wax ring can and will often last your toilet’s whole life. However, there are occasions when getting a new wax ring is necessary. Some signs that you need a new wax ring are a bad odor or leaks coming from the toilet. In these cases, you’ll likely need to replace it.
A broken flange could lead to serious issues. When a flange breaks, the toilet is no longer secured to the subfloor, which leads to constant rocking when in use. Over time, this breaks the wax seal between the toilet and flange and causes leaking throughout the substrate, bathroom floor, and ceilings below the bathroom.
If you experience the telltale sign of wax ring failure, which is leaking water, replacing the faulty ring takes one to three hours, depending on accessibility. This is an exacting and time-consuming job, as several components must be removed for the plumber to access the ring. Once replaced, however, wax rings require little to no maintenance and last 30 years or longer.
Mizuki Hisaka is a freelance writer with 6+ years of experience. She's written for various companies, websites, and publications, including The Knot, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, The Inquisitr, and more.
Joseph Wood is a master plumber and the founder of Boston Standard Company. He trained vocationally and received a college degree in telecommunications. Joseph used his hybrid experience to create Boston Standard Company, the leading residential plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical company based in the City of Boston.
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