Toilet Repair & Installation in Fredericksburg, VA
A running toilet wastes water all day and night, and a slow leak at the base can damage the floor long before you see it. Robert B. Payne repairs, replaces and installs toilets in homes across Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania, and you get the price before we start.
- Repairs and new installs
- Upfront pricing before work starts
- Written guarantees
- Licensed for plumbing in Virginia
See all of our Fredericksburg plumbing services. Tub and sinks backing up too? See drain cleaning.
Common Toilet Problems We Fix
| Problem | Usual cause | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|
| Runs constantly or refills on its own | Worn flapper, a fill valve set too high, or a tangled chain | Replace the flapper or fill valve and adjust the water level |
| Weak or incomplete flush | Low tank water level, mineral buildup in the rim holes, or a partial clog | Reset the water level, clean the rim holes, clear the clog |
| Rocks when you sit down | Loose floor bolts, a worn or broken flange, or an uneven floor | Reset the toilet on a new seal and repair the flange if needed |
| Water around the base | A failed wax seal between the toilet and the drain | Pull the toilet, check the flange and floor, reset it on a new seal |
| Clogs again and again | Things that shouldn’t be flushed, an older low-flow design, or a blockage farther down the line | Clear the clog and check the line, or replace the toilet |
| Drips from the tank or supply line | Worn tank bolts and gasket, a loose supply line, or a cracked tank | Replace the bolts, gasket or supply line; a cracked tank means a new toilet |
Want to know if your toilet leaks silently? Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and don’t flush for about 15 minutes. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
Repair or Replace Your Toilet?
Repair makes sense when
- The problem is a tank part like a flapper, fill valve or handle
- The leak is at the wax seal or supply line
- The bowl and tank are in good shape
Replacement makes sense when
- The bowl or tank is cracked
- It clogs often no matter what you do
- You’ve paid for several repairs in a short time
- You want a taller seat or a more water-efficient model
Newer toilets use less water per flush than many older ones. We’ll give you the price for the repair and for a new toilet so you can choose.
New Toilet Installation
Choose the toilet
We measure the rough-in, the distance from the wall to the floor bolts, so the new toilet fits. Then we go over seat height and round or elongated bowls.
Remove the old one
We shut off the water, drain the tank and bowl, and pull the old toilet.
Check the flange and floor
A cracked flange or soft floor under the old toilet needs to be fixed now. Setting a new toilet on a bad base leads to rocking and leaks.
Set and connect
We set the new toilet on a new seal, bolt it down level and connect a new supply line.
Test
We flush it several times and check the base, tank and supply line for leaks.
What Not to Flush
- Wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable
- Paper towels and tissues
- Feminine products and diapers
- Cotton swabs, cotton balls and dental floss
- Cat litter
- Grease and cooking oil
“Even if marketed as flushable, never flush wipes.” Stafford calls wipes “one of the top causes of clogs” and says the only things to flush are “The Three Ps: Pee, poop and (toilet) paper.”
Source: Stafford County UtilitiesA wipe can clear the toilet and still snag farther down the line. If several drains are slow, see drain cleaning.
Toilet Repair Near You
What Our Customers Say
Jason was, friendly and very knowledgeable and listened to my concerns and proceeded to take care of them Highly recommend!
Ryan is an excellent service technician. He is knowledgeable, reliable, competent, and will work diligently to solve any and all issues that he encounters.
The company called in advance of the technicians arrival and they were very polite and efficient. They answered all of my questions and explained what they were doing. My semi-annual checkup went smoothly.
Five-star reviews from our Google Business Profile.
Toilet Repair FAQs
How do I stop a toilet from overflowing right now?
Turn the shutoff valve on the wall behind the toilet clockwise until it stops. If it won’t turn, lift the tank lid and push the flapper down to stop more water from entering the bowl. Then call us if it keeps happening.
Why does my toilet refill by itself every so often when no one has used it?
Water is slowly leaking from the tank into the bowl, usually past a worn flapper. When the level drops far enough, the fill valve kicks on. A new flapper usually fixes it.
Should there be caulk around the base of my toilet?
Caulk helps keep mop water from getting under the toilet and helps hold it steady. Many plumbers leave a small gap at the back so a leak at the seal shows up on the floor instead of hiding under it.
Why does my toilet tank sweat on humid days?
Cold water in the tank chills the porcelain, and moisture in warm, humid air condenses on it. The drips can stain or soften the floor over time. Running a bath fan helps, and we can check whether a slow flapper leak is keeping the tank refilling with cold water.
Is a round or elongated bowl better?
Elongated bowls are a little longer and many people find them more comfortable. Round bowls take up less floor space, which helps in a small bathroom. We’ll measure your space before you choose.
Are flushable wipes OK on Fredericksburg city sewer?
No. The City of Fredericksburg says “NO wipe is truly flushable or safe for your pipes regardless of label” (City of Fredericksburg). Put wipes in the trash, even if the package says they’re flushable.
All Plumbing Services
Toilet Repair in Fredericksburg
Call Robert B. Payne to fix a running, leaking or clogging toilet, or to install a new one, with the price up front.
