Toilet Cleaning and Maintenance

March 1, 2015

By Baker Brothers

Posted in: Sewer Repair, Toilet Repair, Preventive Maintenance, Bathroom Remodeling, Drain Cleaning, Plumbing Inspections, Plumbing

Runny nose, fever, cough … you think you are under the weather? Sometimes your toilet needs a checkup too. Baker Brothers Plumbing is here to provide you with our expert care in this week’s edition of The Toilet Doc:

Cleaning and Maintenance

Like all heavy-use fixtures in your home, your toilet requires continuous cleaning and maintenance. Follow these simples steps:

Put on your cleaning gloves—your toilet is a haven for bacteria!
Moisten sponge with hot water and wipe off grime around the tank, lid, seat, base, and exterior of the bowl.
Apply a specially formulated cleaner to the interior of the bowl and let it soak in for a few minutes. Scrub off grime with a brush, using water from the bowl to activate suds. We recommend cleaning the toilet bowl manually and on a regular basis instead of using in-tank tablet cleaners. These tablets often cause erosion to gaskets and washers that keep your fixture running properly.
Flush the toilet. Continue to scrub as the water drains from the bowl. This will rinse the bowl and brush at the same time.
Clean the rest of your toilet with disinfectant spray. Be sure to clean the handle thoroughly, as this is a place where germs can spread.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes a regular clean will not get the job done. Maybe there is a more serious underlying issue. If your toilet has been working fine but suddenly flushes or drains slowly, chances are you are dealing with a clog. First, open the tank and check the water level. Is the water level lower than normal? A low water level means there may not be enough water to initiate the siphoning action that pushes water through the bowl. To add water to the tank, bend the float arm up slightly and allow water up to 11/2 inches of the top.

If the clog persists, look for other causes of poor flushing. Sometimes the small ports around the underside of the toilet bowl’s rim can clog with buildup from chemicals in the water. Simply use a coat hanger or screw driver to remove any debris. As always, it is best to call your friends at Baker Brothers to assist with any unmanageable toilet troubles.

Replacement

When is it time to buy a new toilet altogether? When your repair costs outweigh replacement costs, it is time to consider a new purchase. If you are experiencing recurring clogs and constantly pulling out hairs, plunging your toilet on a regular basis, perhaps it’s time to upgrade. A crack in the bowl of the toilet that is causing excessive leaking and poor flushing is also a good reason to start anew. Even small leaks can result in long term floor damage for your bathroom. For your next purchase, be sure to select a water saving toilet. Not only will you help the environment by conserving water with every flush, but also you will notice an improvement in your water bill.

A healthy toilet is one that is maintained and cared for. Keep your bathroom clean, but also take time to checkup on your toilet from time to time.