Q: Can you replace a toilet flapper yourself?

• <div><p>You can DIY your <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-replace-your-toilet-flapper.htm">toilet flapper replacement</a> if you&rsquo;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.</p></div>

Q: Should I hire Roto-Rooter or a local plumber?

• <div><p>If you know the job is going to be extensive (and you don&rsquo;t like surprises), hiring a Roto-Rooter specialist may make sense for you. You&rsquo;ll know how much you&rsquo;re going to pay right away.</p><p>That said, <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-hire-best-plumber-plumbing-tips.htm">hiring the best plumber</a> isn&rsquo;t solely about price. If you've worked with a plumber you trust before or have a list of plumbing services you need tackled at your home, working with a plumber might be a better choice for you.</p></div>

Q: Can you leave a toilet clogged overnight?

• <div><p>Usually it&rsquo;s fine to leave a toilet clogged overnight, as long as it&rsquo;s not close to overflowing. In some cases, the extra time may give the clog time to work itself out. For example, if it&rsquo;s caused by an excess of toilet paper, letting it sit could result in the clog dissolving and you may be able to simply flush it away by the time you wake up. </p><p>Only let it sit though if you have more than one toilet in the home.</p></div>

Question 1

Can you replace a toilet flapper yourself?

Accepted Answer

•

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.

Question 2

Should I hire Roto-Rooter or a local plumber?

Accepted Answer

•

If you know the job is going to be extensive (and you don’t like surprises), hiring a Roto-Rooter specialist may make sense for you. You’ll know how much you’re going to pay right away.

That said, hiring the best plumber isn’t solely about price. If you've worked with a plumber you trust before or have a list of plumbing services you need tackled at your home, working with a plumber might be a better choice for you.

Question 3

How can you save money when hiring an emergency plumber?

Accepted Answer

•

Hiring an emergency plumber is expensive because of the urgency and inconvenience, but there are a few things you can do to help keep costs down:

Minimize water damage by shutting off your water main
Clean up pooling water immediately to reduce damage and mold growth
Avoid using fixtures if you have a clog or septic system backup
Verify that your plumber is licensed before hiring
Call a few plumbers for estimates if you can afford a short delay in getting service

Question 4

Can you leave a toilet clogged overnight?

Accepted Answer

•

Usually it’s fine to leave a toilet clogged overnight, as long as it’s not close to overflowing. In some cases, the extra time may give the clog time to work itself out. For example, if it’s caused by an excess of toilet paper, letting it sit could result in the clog dissolving and you may be able to simply flush it away by the time you wake up.

Only let it sit though if you have more than one toilet in the home.

Question 5

Can frozen pipes cause a toilet to stop working or become blocked?

Accepted Answer

•

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.