Toilets, faucets, valves, disposals and fixture installs
Toilet, faucet and fixture repair in York, PA
Most fixture repairs are small jobs: a running toilet needs a new flapper or fill valve, a dripping faucet needs a cartridge or washer, a shutoff valve that won't close needs replacing. The things to watch for are the problems those small symptoms can hide, like a toilet rocking on a rotted floor or a slow leak that's been soaking a vanity for months.
Water pouring or sewage backing up? Shut the main water valve, then call (717) 297-8733.
Emergency stepsCommon toilet and faucet problems and how they're fixed
| Problem | Usual cause | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet runs on and off by itself | Worn flapper leaking into the bowl | New flapper |
| Toilet runs constantly | Fill valve not shutting off, or float set too high | Adjust or replace the fill valve |
| Water on the floor around the toilet | Failed wax ring, cracked tank, or loose supply connection | Reset the toilet, replace the part |
| Toilet rocks | Loose bolts, broken flange, or soft subfloor | Repair the flange and subfloor, reset |
| Faucet drips from the spout | Worn cartridge, washer or seat | Replace the cartridge or washer |
| Faucet leaks at the handle | Worn O-rings or packing | Replace the seals |
| Low flow from one faucet | Clogged aerator or cartridge | Clean or replace |
| Shutoff valve won't close or leaks | Seized or worn multi-turn valve | Replace with a quarter-turn valve |
| Garbage disposal hums but won't turn | Jammed flywheel | Clear the jam, or replace if the motor has failed |
| Disposal leaks from underneath | Cracked housing | Replace the disposal |
Toilet flange and lead closet bend repair in York's older homes
This is the fixture issue most specific to older York houses. About half of the City of York's homes were built before 1940.
In houses from that era, the drain pipe under the toilet, called the closet bend, was often made of lead and connected to a cast iron flange. Lead is soft, and after decades of a toilet rocking slightly on it, the bend can crack or flatten.
What that means in practice:
- A toilet that keeps leaking at the base after its wax ring has been replaced probably has a damaged flange or closet bend.
- Water stains on the ceiling directly below a toilet in an older house are a common sign.
- Replacing a toilet in an older house sometimes turns into replacing the closet bend and flange, which may mean opening the ceiling below or the floor.
Go ahead and replace the old toilet. Just expect the plumber to check the flange and bend when it comes up, and expect the price to change if either one is damaged.
What toilet and faucet repair involves
- Shut off the water at the fixture's valve, or the main if that valve doesn't work.
- Identify the fixture and part. Many faucets need brand-specific cartridges.
- Repair or replace the failed part, or the fixture if repair isn't practical.
- Check what's around it: the shutoff valves, supply lines, drain connections and the floor or cabinet under it.
- Test for leaks with the fixture running and after it's been under pressure for a few minutes.
Toilet, faucet, sink and garbage disposal installation
Fixture replacement covers toilets, faucets, sinks, garbage disposals, tub and shower valves, and outdoor faucets. A proper installation includes new supply lines, checking the shutoff valves (and replacing them if they're old), a new wax ring or seal, sealing to the counter or floor, and leak testing. If you're buying the fixture yourself, check that it fits the existing setup: rough-in distance for toilets, number of holes for faucets, and valve type for shower trim.
How much does toilet or faucet repair cost?
Toilet and faucet repair cost depends mainly on the part and whether it's available for your fixture's brand, and on whether old shutoff valves or a damaged flange have to be replaced first.
- The part, and whether it's available for your fixture's brand and model
- Repair versus replacement of the fixture
- Shutoff valves that need replacing before the work can be done
- Corroded connections that break when loosened, common on old galvanized supplies
- Hidden damage, such as a rotted subfloor under a toilet or a damaged closet bend
- Who supplies the fixture, and whether it fits the existing connections
- Timing. A visit outside normal hours costs more than a scheduled one
When a toilet or fixture problem is an emergency
Most fixture problems can wait for a scheduled visit. Treat it as an emergency if:
- A supply line has burst under a sink or behind a toilet and water is spraying
- A toilet overflows and won't stop with the valve behind it
- The only toilet in the house is broken or blocked
- A fixture's shutoff won't close and you can't stop a leak without shutting off the whole house
The fix for most of these is to shut the main water valve first, then call.
How to make toilets and faucets last longer
- Replace braided supply lines every 10 years or so, and rubber washing machine hoses with braided stainless ones.
- Turn each shutoff valve once a year so they don't seize.
- Clean faucet aerators every few months. York Water's moderately hard water leaves mineral buildup on them.
- Don't use drop-in toilet tank cleaners; they can eat away flappers and seals.
- Use cold water with the garbage disposal, and keep grease and fibrous scraps out of it.
Fixture repair is one part of the plumbing services we provide across York. If a fixture leak has soaked into a wall or ceiling, see leak detection and pipe repair.
Toilet and faucet repair FAQs
Is it worth repairing an old faucet or should I replace it?
If parts are available and the body isn't corroded, repair is usually cheaper. Many older or no-name faucets don't have parts available anymore, and replacing the faucet is often only a little more than the labor to rebuild it.
How much water does a running toilet waste?
A lot more than most people expect. A toilet that runs constantly can waste hundreds of gallons a day, and a slow, silent flapper leak adds up over a month. If your bill jumped, check the toilets first.
Why does my toilet rock?
Either the bolts holding it to the floor flange have loosened, or the flange or subfloor underneath has deteriorated. A rocking toilet breaks the wax seal and leaks into the floor each time it's used. Fix it soon, before the subfloor rots further.
My shutoff valve under the sink won't turn. Can I force it?
Better not. Old multi-turn valves seize, and forcing the handle can break the stem or start a leak at the packing. Replacing it with a quarter-turn valve is a small job, and it's worth doing for all the valves in the house at once.
Plumbing Pros
Running toilet or dripping faucet? Call for repair
Call (717) 297-8733. Tell us the fixture and what it's doing, and whether you're supplying a new fixture.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week