Most toilet problems trace to an inexpensive internal part such as the flapper, fill valve or wax ring, so the fixture itself can usually stay. Repeated backups are different and often point to the sewer service line. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Winston-Salem.
The usual suspects
| What you notice | Typical cause |
|---|---|
| Tank refills when nobody has flushed | Flapper no longer seals |
| Constant hiss or trickle | Fill valve set too high or failing to shut off |
| Flush is weak or incomplete | Low water level in the tank, short flapper chain or blocked rim jets |
| Water on the floor after flushing | Wax ring failure or loose closet bolts |
| Bowl rocks when you sit | Loose bolts, cracked flange or damaged subfloor |
Silent leaks add up
EPA's WaterSense program warns that an old or worn flapper can leak thousands of gallons a year without making a sound. Its suggested check is easy: put a little food coloring in the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing, and look at the bowl. Any color there means the tank is leaking.
When the toilet isn't really the problem
If plunging only buys you a day, or flushing makes the tub or floor drain bubble, the blockage is probably in the line that runs from the house to the sewer main. Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities treats that service line as part of your private plumbing. Its guidance for plumbers says the line should be cleared all the way to the main, not just to the cleanout, and then checked with a camera.
If sewage is backing up into the house, the utility asks you to call CityLink at 311 or 336-727-8000 before you start cleanup. Its Good Neighbor Policy may reimburse damage from a first-time backup caused by a blockage in the utility's main line, subject to conditions that include installing a backwater valve.
Older homes and the flange
With about 43% of the city's homes built before 1980, a lot of toilets here sit on old cast iron or corroded flanges. When a toilet comes up to replace a wax ring, it's a good time to check the flange and the floor around it for rot.
What drives the cost
Expect pricing to reflect which part failed, whether the toilet has to be pulled, flange or subfloor repair, whether you're installing a new toilet, and whether the clog turns out to be in the sewer line.
Toilet Repair questions from Winston-Salem homeowners
Why does my toilet refill by itself every so often?
How can I test for a hidden toilet leak?
My toilet keeps clogging. Is it the toilet or the sewer line?
What should I do if sewage backs up into my house?
Related plumbing services in Winston-Salem
Helpful guides
Toilet Repair in nearby cities and towns
Forsyth County
Davie County
Davidson County
Rowan County
Sources
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