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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.

A bit of water in the bowl can help unclog a toilet, especially if you're using a plunger. However, if the bowl is full to the brim, you'll need to strap on gloves and remove some of the wastewater in a cup or container so it doesn't overflow when you try to unblock the pipe. If you're concerned about it filling further, manually close the flapper in the toilet tank or turn off the water supply to the toilet.

There are several ways to save money on a bathroom remodel through proper planning and savvy design strategies. To reduce costs, consider the following:

• Purchase your own materials: Buy your own bathroom fixtures, hardware, and other materials to avoid contractor upcharges and delivery fees.

• Shop smart for big-ticket items: Save on pricey items like tiles and tubs by shopping sales and at discount stores.

• Avoid major layout changes: Keep plumbing in its current location. Opt to replace fixtures rather than moving them to avoid significant renovation work.

• Focus on high-impact, low-cost updates: Make affordable but impactful smaller changes, such as upgrading hardware, installing new lighting, and adding stylish but economical accessories.

• DIY where possible: Handle easier parts of the remodel yourself, like painting or installing light fixtures, to save on labor costs.

• Time your remodel strategically: Consider remodeling in the spring, which tends to be a lower-demand time of year and may result in lower costs.

If you don’t replace a toilet flapper, your toilet tank will continue to empty and fill repeatedly, wasting water and running up your utility bills. Checking the flapper is a good first guess when dealing with a constantly running toilet. However, if these problems continue after replacing the flapper, you may need to hire a plumber to check and fix any bigger problems.