Get matched with top toilet pros in Callaway, NE

Replacing a standard toilet with an elongated one is straightforward. The two types can be installed using the same existing drainpipe and plumbing. If you have a small bathroom, make sure that an elongated toilet doesn’t violate local building codes for clearance, which is the space between fixtures and walls. 

You can DIY your toilet flapper replacement if you’re up for a small plumbing project. Turn off the water to the toilet, open the tank lid, remove the chain from the lever, and unhook the flapper. For a new, adjustable flapper, adjust it to the right setting according to your toilet's gallons per flush rating. Hook the flapper in place and install the chain with 1/2 inch of slack.

Yes, frozen pipes can prevent a toilet from working correctly. If the pipes are frozen, water cannot flow, which means your toilet tank won't be able to refill after a flush. This will prevent the toilet from flushing again. Depending on which lines are frozen, the ice can also block the drain pipe, preventing water from flushing away.

As a temporary workaround, you can manually add water to the tank for each flush. To clear a frozen drain pipe, you can try filling the toilet bowl or tank with warm water and flushing to help thaw the ice. However, the best long-term solution is to unfreeze the pipes to get your toilet back in working order.

Some of the problems with in-wall toilets include the complex installation, which might need extra framing. It is also more difficult to access the toilet tank for maintenance or troubleshooting because it’s behind the flush button panel and in the wall. Over time, you’ll spend more on maintenance because you’ll need a plumber to work on hidden plumbing.