Toilet and faucet problems are small jobs that are easy to put off. In an older Erie house they are often a sign of something else too: worn shutoff valves, old supply lines, or scale from years of use. Fixing them early saves water and avoids a bigger leak later.
Toilet problems we get calls about
Runs on its own.
Usually a worn flapper or a fill valve that does not shut off. A running toilet can waste a surprising amount of water and shows up on your water bill.
Weak or double flush.
Often a flapper chain, a low water level in the tank, or scale in the rim holes.
Leaks at the base.
Usually a failed wax ring under the toilet. Fix this quickly, because water under the floor rots the subfloor and can stain the ceiling below.
Rocks or wobbles.
Loose bolts or a damaged flange.
Clogs that keep coming back.
Could be an object in the trap or a problem further down the drain. See drain cleaning.
Faucet problems
Drips.
Worn washers, cartridges or seals. Older two handle faucets often need new washers or seats. Newer single handle faucets usually need a new cartridge.
Low flow.
Often a clogged aerator. Erie water tests at about 6.7 grains per gallon of hardness (Erie Water Works, 2021), and those minerals collect in aerators and cartridges. Unscrew the aerator and soak it in vinegar.
Leaks under the sink.
Loose connections, worn supply lines or a failing shutoff valve.
Low hot water pressure only.
Can point to scale in the water heater or old galvanized pipe on the hot side.
Old shutoff valves
Many older Erie homes still have the original multi turn valves under sinks and behind toilets. After decades without use, they often seize, or start leaking at the stem the first time they are turned. If a valve will not close, do not force it. A plumber can replace it with a quarter turn valve, which makes the next repair much easier and lets you stop a leak fast.
Braided steel supply lines are another cheap upgrade. Old rubber or plastic supply lines can crack and burst without warning.
Replacing a toilet or faucet
If you are replacing a fixture, a plumber will:
- Check the shutoff valve and supply line, and replace them if they are worn.
- Check the flange and floor under a toilet for damage.
- Set the new fixture, connect it and test it for leaks.
- Haul the old fixture away, if you ask.
Ask for the price of the labor and the fixture separately, so you can choose whether to buy the fixture yourself.
Other fixtures
The same plumbers handle garbage disposals, outdoor spigots, laundry tubs, shower valves and dishwasher hookups. Outdoor spigots matter in Erie: shut off the inside valve that feeds each one before the first hard freeze, then open the spigot outside to let it drain. See frozen and burst pipes for more.
Common questions
Is a running toilet worth fixing right away?
Yes. It wastes water every hour it runs, and the cause is usually a cheap part like a flapper or fill valve.
Why is my faucet pressure low?
Most often the aerator is clogged with mineral scale. Unscrew it, clean it and test again. If only the hot side is weak, the cause may be in the water heater or old pipe.
Can I replace a toilet myself?
Many homeowners do. Call a plumber if the flange is broken, the floor is soft, or the shutoff valve will not turn.