"Repairman, Juan, did an awesome job of repairing my toilet. He was very polite and pleasant to be around. I would highly recommend Juan from Home Defense Plumbing. He was awesome!!!!"
Yes, you can pour water down the toilet to help it flush. For each flush, you’ll need 1 to 2 gallons of water for newer toilets or 3 to 5 gallons of water for older toilets. Rather than dumping the entire bucket in all at once, pour the water in slowly for the best results. If you’re pouring water down the toilet to help it flush after a clog, only use 1 gallon of hot water.
The order of your bathroom renovation should prevent damage to the completed work. Start with demolition and removing the old fixtures. Then, address structural repairs or water damage, if needed. Next, tackle the rough-in phase for plumbing and electrical work, install waterproofing, and work on wall treatments like tile or paint. Install your shower or bathtub, toilet, vanity, and sink. Flooring goes in after major fixtures but before the toilet. Lastly, install new lighting fixtures, mirrors, and other finishing touches as desired.
If you notice water coming out of the bottom of your tank or the flush handle, you obviously have a leaking tank. Water on the side of the tank can indicate cracks. Other signs include the toilet running and flushing without anyone touching the handle, needing to jiggle the handle to make the water stop after flushing, or needing to hold the handle down to empty the water tank.
The main causes for a leaky toilet flapper include wear and tear or a broken or incorrectly installed toilet flapper chain. If your toilet flapper is torn or deteriorated, it can’t provide a proper seal to keep water from running. Meanwhile, a chain that has come loose, was moved, or just wasn’t installed right can prevent your flapper from fully closing.
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.
The Mullen, NE homeowners’ guide to toilet services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Everyone can relate to having toilet issues—we’ve all been there. There are several reasons why your toilet might need repairs, and the cost varies based on the damage.
Worried about water leaking around your toilet? You may have a faulty toilet flange. Learn more about the cost to replace a toilet flange in our guide.
Before purchasing and installing a new toilet, you need to know the toilet rough-in measurement to ensure proper integration. Here’s how to get it done.
Leaky toilet tank sounds driving you crazy? It might be your toilet flapper. Here’s how to choose the right size toilet flapper to save water and money.
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