Most toilet problems are inside the tank: a worn flapper or a fill valve that won't shut off, both of which are standard replacement parts. Water around the base usually means a failed wax ring. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Greensboro if you'd rather not take it apart yourself.
Match the symptom to the likely cause
| What you notice | Usual culprit |
|---|---|
| Runs or refills on its own | Worn flapper, or a fill valve set too high |
| Weak or incomplete flush | Low tank water level, a flapper closing early, or clogged rim holes |
| Water on the floor at the base | Failed wax ring or loose floor bolts |
| Drips under the tank | Loose tank bolts, a bad supply line, or a cracked tank |
| Rocks when you sit | Loose bolts, a broken flange or soft subfloor |
| Clogs over and over | A partial blockage in the trap or drain line |
Check for a silent leak
A toilet can leak into the bowl without making a sound. EPA's WaterSense program suggests a simple test: put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. Flush afterward so the dye doesn't stain. EPA notes that a worn flapper can silently leak thousands of gallons a year, which shows up on your water bill long before you see it.
When a clog isn't really the toilet
If plunging clears the toilet for a day and then it backs up again, or water rises in the tub when you flush, the blockage is probably in the main line rather than the toilet. Stop flushing. If neighbors are having backups too, or sewage is coming out of a manhole or cleanout in the street, call City of Greensboro Water Resources at 336-373-2033, which takes sewer backup calls 24 hours a day. If the City's main is clear, a plumber can clear your private line.
Leaks at the base in older homes
About 43% of Greensboro homes were built before 1980. In houses that age, a toilet that rocks or leaks at the floor sometimes has more going on than a worn wax ring: a corroded flange, or subfloor softened by years of slow seepage. A plumber will check the flange and floor once the toilet is pulled, and it's worth knowing that before agreeing to a price.
Repair or replace?
Flappers, fill valves, flush valves, handles and wax rings are all replaceable parts, so most toilets can be repaired. A cracked tank or bowl can't. If you do replace the toilet, the City of Greensboro lists water closets on its plumbing permit fee schedule, so ask the plumber whether a permit applies to your job.
What affects the cost
The main factors are which part failed, whether the toilet has to be pulled, the condition of the flange and subfloor, whether you're supplying a new toilet, and the time of the visit.
Toilet Repair questions from Greensboro homeowners
Why does my toilet keep running?
How can I tell if my toilet is leaking?
Is water around the base of the toilet serious?
Who do I call if my toilet backs up and so do my neighbors'?
Related plumbing services in Greensboro
Helpful guides
Toilet Repair in nearby cities and towns
Guilford County
Alamance County
Randolph County
Rockingham County
Davidson County
Orange County
Chatham County
Sources
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