The most common toilet repair is dealing with clogs, followed closely by replacing a worn-out flapper. While clogs can happen anytime in any toilet, they most commonly occur with older toilets that have smaller diameter clearances and often empty into smaller diameter sewer connections. Because toilet flappers only last a few years, they are next in line for the most common toilet failures.

Yes, continuing to flush a clogged toilet is not likely to break up the clog. Instead, it will continue to put pressure on the clog while filling the bowl with more water, which can potentially cause the toilet to overflow—leading to an even bigger mess. Rather than repeatedly flushing, use a toilet plunger or plumber’s snake to dislodge the clog.

The cost of making a bathroom accessible can be $3,000 to $25,000, but you could spend as much as $50,000 building a brand-new ADA-compliant bathroom. Some bathroom accessibility upgrades to consider include:

• Installing grab bars: $100–$500 

• Lowering cabinets and vanities: $1,200–$2,500

• Installing modified doors: $700–$1,500

• Installing a modified toilet: $400–$1,000

• Installing an accessible sink and faucet: $100–$1,000

• Adding a walk-in tub: $1,100–$17,000

• Converting a bathtub into a walk-in tub: $350–$1,000

• Installing a wheelchair-accessible shower: $2,000–$7,500

• Installing a shower ramp: $16–$300

Yes, frozen pipes can cause a toilet to stop working correctly. If the pipes are frozen, water cannot flow, which can lead to two main problems. First, the supply line to the toilet tank may be frozen, which prevents the tank from refilling with water after you flush. Second, the drain pipe itself can freeze, blocking water from flushing away. As a temporary solution for a non-refilling tank, you can manually add water, but this is not a long-term fix. To clear a frozen drain pipe, you can try pouring warm water into the toilet bowl or tank and then flushing, as the warm water may help thaw the ice blockage. Ultimately, the best course of action is to unfreeze the affected pipes to restore your toilet to full functionality.