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If you notice water leaking down the side of the bowl or tank and you don’t notice any cracks in the porcelain, the odds are that it’s condensation. If you notice water around the base of the toilet, this points to a leak. Check for loose bolts. A sewage odor may also indicate a broken toilet flange.

The average cost to hire a plumber is typically between $45 and $200 per hour, with a common average rate around $125 per hour. This cost can vary based on your location, the plumber's experience, and the complexity of the job. Rates are often broken down by experience level: an apprentice may charge $45 to $90 an hour, a journeyman $60 to $110 an hour, and a master plumber $80 to $200 an hour. While hourly rates are standard, some plumbers may charge a flat fee for routine projects or offer project-based pricing. It's also common for plumbers to charge a minimum service or trip fee. For reference, some typical flat-rate costs for common jobs include: drain unclogging ($220), leaky faucet repair ($270), burst pipe repair ($400), toilet repair ($300), and water heater repair ($600). Note that these rates are for standard service hours; emergency, holiday, and after-hours calls will cost significantly more.

If you’ve accessed the bolts and nuts that hold your toilet seat in place and can’t unscrew them, it’s possible that they were overtightened or that the material corroded over time, making it impossible to unscrew. If that’s the case, you can either call in a plumber for help, or you can DIY a solution if you’re careful. Lay down masking tape around the mounting bracket and then use the tape as a surface to lay a hack saw blade. Move slowly to cut through the bracket and bolt, being careful not to damage the porcelain in the process.

You can pour bleach down the toilet as long as you dilute it since undiluted bleach can damage your toilet bowl. If you choose to use bleach to remove stains from your toilet, mix every cup of bleach with a gallon of water. You should also follow safety precautions when using bleach, like working in a well-ventilated area, wearing gloves, and never mixing it with any other cleaner.