A Quick Guide to Draining a Toilet

Posted on April 5, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870

In the case that a toilet must be removed, whether for replacement or repair, there is a good chance that it will need to be drained first. Although draining a toilet may sound like an easy and straight-forward project, without the right knowledge, you can quickly have a disaster on your hands. Furthermore, you could potentially injure yourself or damage your plumbing. For these reasons, it is recommended to use a licensed plumber for all your toilet repairs and maintenance needs. They have the proper knowledge, tools, and resources to provide professional service you can trust.

However, if you are committed to your DIY toilet project, continue reading to learn a few effective methods for draining a toilet properly. And in the case that you change your mind, you’ll find information on who to call for prompt service at an affordable price!

Materials You May Need:

Plunger
Siphoning Hose
Bucket
Cup or Bowl
Large Sponge
Wet/Dry Vacuum

You may use one or a combination of the above-mentioned materials. Together, they can all effectively drain water from a toilet bowl. Just be sure to wear rubber gloves for protection!

Choose the Method that Works for You:

Method 1 – Plunge the Water

You can use a plunger in the standard up-and-down motion to relieve a toilet bowl of its water. The plunging motion pushes the water back down into the pipe, and within 2 to 3 tries, your toilet bowl should be empty.

Method 2 – Siphon the Water

Although a bit technical, siphoning the water is another effective method to draining a toilet. Visit your local home improvement store to purchase a siphoning hose, or simply cut an old hose down to size. Put the other end of the hose in the bathtub to drain. If the tub is too far, use a large bucket.

Method 3 – Scoop the Water

Although not a first-choice, you can choose to scoop the water out of the toilet basin with a small cup or bowl. Dump the eliminated water into the tub or a large bucket. Once you get to the very last bit of water, use a smaller container to remove it, such as a toothpaste cap.

Method 4 – Sponge the Water

You can, if you choose, use a large, absorbent sponge to remove the water from the toilet. This does take more time, but it can be equally effective as all the other methods. Simply dip the sponge, absorb all the water it will take, and then ring it out in the bathtub or large bucket. Repeat until you are done!

Method 5 – Vacuum the Water

The quickest and most effective method for draining a toilet is to use a wet/dry vacuum to suck all the water out. Just be sure you know how to utilize a wet/dry vacuum properly, and don’t purchase one just for the job unless you are sure you will use it again in the future. They are not cheap appliances!

Indianapolis Toilet Repair and Replacement

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for all your Indianapolis toilet repair and replacement needs. Owner Mark Weilhammer provides residential and commercial plumbing service, as well as, master plumber services. He is a state-licensed master plumber who can deliver safe and effective plumbing repair at an affordable price. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate, today.

Information About Replacing Wax Toilet Seals

Posted on February 14, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Toilet Plumber 317-784-1870

We really don’t put much thought into our toilets until they give us some fuss. Then we realize how vital these fixtures are to our lives! Fortunately, many toilet issues are manageable with a quality plunger and some store-bought supplies; and for all others, there’s always a local plumber available to fix all of your toilet problems and answer all of your plumbing questions. Some of the most common questions plumbers get about toilets has to do with problem leaks and lingering odors.

And one of the most common causes for this kind of toilet trouble has to do with a little, unsuspecting part called a wax O-ring, or wax seal. This seal is usually a “set it and forget it” kind of part because they generally last anywhere from 20 to 30 years with good care. But sometimes, a wax toilet seal needs to be replaced.

Continue reading to learn the most common scenarios in which a toilet wax ring replacement would be necessary.

Toilet Connections

Your toilet is fixed to a closet flange, which is essentially the part that connects the bottom of the toilet to the drainpipe under your bathroom floor. In between the closet flange and the toilet is where you will find the wax O-ring. The purpose of this seal is very important: it prevents water from leaking as it travels down to the drainpipe. Not only does it prevent water leaks, it prevents putrid sewer gases from leaking out as well. And as mentioned, wax toilet seals can last 2 or 3 decades with proper maintenance and care, but sometimes they need replaced beforehand.

When to Replace Wax Toilet Rings:

🚽 Leakage Issues – If your toilet is experiencing water leaks at its base, especially after flushing, or you notice a lingering foul odor in your bathroom, it could be due to a defective or deteriorated wax seal. In this case, you would need a licensed plumber to inspect your toilet and plumbing to determine the root cause, and to then replace the toilet seal if it is the actual problem. This requires removing the toilet, is it is not a task that is recommended to do on your own.

🚽 Toilet Replacement – If you are replacing an old toilet with a new one, you will also need to have the toilet seal replaced. In fact, anytime a toilet must be lifted, the seal should be replaced too. This could happen for clogged drain repair, water leak inspection, toilet installation, and more. Old wax rings cannot be used when replacing or installing a toilet.

Toilet Plumbing Care

Be sure to have your toilet plumbing inspected and addressed as soon as you notice a difference in performance. By staying current with all your plumbing maintenance, you can avoid costly repair bills and unexpected disasters.

Indianapolis Plumbers

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional and prompt plumbing repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team are eager to provide affordable and swift solutions for your plumbing problems. We offer a wide range of commercial and residential plumbing services, including water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more! Call 317-784-1870 to speak with one of our Indianapolis plumbers, today.

How to Get Rid of Mineral Stains in Toilet Bowls

Posted on January 3, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870

No one enjoys cleaning the bathroom. But it is a chore that must be done. So it only makes sense to do it right of you are going to do it at all. One of the most irksome bathroom chores homemakers complain about involves cleaning stained toilet bowls. Of course you don’t want to put in the extra time and energy to scrub a toilet bowl clean if there is no guarantee it will help. Instead, it is easier to learn how to rid your toilet bowl of pesky, lingering mineral stains, so that you never waste another valuable minute of your time
attempting to do so in the future!

Continue reading to learn the secret to getting rid of toilet bowl mineral stains, and who to call for trusted toilet repair and replacement.

Toilet Bowl Stains

After sometime, a toilet bowl may start to show signs of staining, such as limescale, greenish stripes, brown rings, and even rust formation. So where do these stains come from? Are you doing something wrong in your cleaning regime? The answer is, “no.” It is something in your home’s water that is causing the stains to appear and then linger. Local water supplies contain hard mineral ions, like calcium, magnesium, and iron. These minerals, upon temperature changes and overtime, accumulate in and on plumbing fixtures in solid form called sediment.

Hard Water Removal

Hard water has several negative effects on home life, plumbing, finances, and hygiene. Water softening is the most effective method for eliminate hard mineral ions in your home’s water supply. Start by purchasing an at-home hard water test kit to measure the level of hardness in your home’s water supply. If it is high, contact a licensed plumber that specializes in soft water services. They can provide professional hard water removal services at an affordable price. By installing a quality water softener, and possibly a reverse osmosis system, you can easily eliminate your hard water problems for good, and enjoy life with soft water! In the meantime, learn how to clean toilet bowl mineral stains.

How to Clean Toilet Stains

Green and brown stains are usually limescale. Rust stains are caused by air exposure to the iron in the limescale. To get rid of both, gather up these supplies:

➙ Lime-Away® or CRL®
➙ Nylon-Bristled Scrubbing Brush
➙ Rubber Gloves
➙ Face Mask
➙ Bucket

Organic Cleanser:

➙ Baking Soda, White Distilled Vinegar, and Coca-Cola®

NOTE: DO NOT use bleach, and NEVER mix bleach with ammonia!

Standard Cleaning Method:

⑴ Start by donning your protective cleaning gear. Products like Lime-Away® or CRL® are acid-based, and contain strong chemicals that can agitate your senses and skin. Once you are geared-up, move onto step 2.

⑵ Turn off the main water shut off valve that is located behind the toilet. Just turn it clockwise until it stops. You don’t want to accidentally flush while scrubbing!

⑶ Use your bucket to collect and remove as much water from the toilet as possible.

⑶ Apply your cleaner of choice to the inside walls of the toilet bowl. Then using your natural-given elbow grease, scrub away! Use enough pressure to break down sediment buildup and wipe the porcelain clean.

⑸ You may need to repeat Step 4 more than once to finish the job.

⑹ Last, turn your water shut off valve back on and flush the bowl clean. You may need to flush more than once, but be sure to give your toilet a few minutes in between each one.

Organic Cleaning Method:

➊ Turn off the main water shut off valve for the toilet.

➋ Pour 2 cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl, followed by a teaspoon of baking soda.

➌ Next, brush the water around the basin with your toilet wand. If the stains do not seem to be releasing, try adding a few tablespoons of lemon juice. The acidity should help dissolve the sediment.

➍ Allow the soapy water to sit for 15 minutes. Then turn the water back on.

➎ Flush the toilet a few times to rinse it clean. You may need to repeat Steps 2 through 4 again.

➏ Once this is done, pour a can of Coca-Cola® into the bowl. The acid will also help further release the stains.

➐ Allow the cola to sit overnight. Then repeat Step 5 to finish.

Toilet Repair and Installation

If your toilet has seen better days, it may be time for a model upgrade. Or perhaps it just needs a little maintenance. Either way, contact a licensed plumber for help with toilet repair, service, and installation you can trust. They have the skills, knowledge, and resources to service or replace your toilet, as well as all other plumbing fixtures and appliances in your home, safely and efficiently.

Indianapolis Toilet Repair Service

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis toilet repair and service you can trust. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is eager to provide affordable and convenient solutions to your toilet plumbing problems. We offer a wide range of bathroom plumbing services, including repairs, replacements, maintenance, installation, and even sales. Choose a TOTO® Toilet as an upgrade and we’ll provide it for you! Call 317-787-1870 to request a free estimate for toilet repair service in Indianapolis, Indiana today.

How to Make Eco-Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaner at Home

Posted on October 4, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870

For all you homeowners looking for new ways to “go green”, learning to make your own eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner is a great addition to your efforts. With a few natural ingredients, you can concoct your very own chemical-free toilet bowl cleaner that’s safe for you and the environment! Most store-bought cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be damaging to your health as well as your home’s plumbing and vital appliances (i.e. water heater, water softener, etc.). Homemade toilet bowl cleaner is a fantastic alternative to harmful, over-the-counter products; not only because it is much safer, but also because it’s equally-effective at cleaning.

Continue reading to learn a useful recipe for homemade, eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner, and feel good about protecting yourself, your loved ones, and the environment!

What You Need

🚽 Large Glass Bowl
🚽 Glass Storage Jar
🚽 Wooden Spoon
🚽 Toilet Brush
🚽 Baking Soda
🚽 20% White Vinegar

AND…

Disinfecting Essential Oil of Your Choice:

❧ Tea Tree
❧ Peppermint
❧ Lavender
❧ Orange
❧ Pine
❧ Lemongrass

Mixing Instructions

1 Using your wooden spoon, combine 2 cups of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of essential oil into a large glass bowl. You must use a glass bowl and wooden spoon because essential oils can corrode metal and plastic.

2 Continue to mix the baking soda and oil together until the majority of clumps are gone. Then transfer the powder into a glass storage jar with a tightly-sealed lid. This will give you nearly 30 uses!

Cleaning Instructions

① Scoop 1 tablespoon of powder from your jar and pour it into the toilet bowl. Use an additional scoop for the walls.

② Use your toilet brush to spread (not scrub!) the powder/oil mix around on the walls and basin.

③ Pour a ½ cup of 20% white vinegar into the bowl. It should start to fizz on contact. If you cannot find 30% vinegar, you can use 5% distilled white vinegar instead, but increase the amount to 2 cups.

④ If no fizzing occurred, you’ll need to use some more scoops of cleaner. Once the fizzing goes down, use your toilet brush to scrub the toilet clean.

⑤ Allow the mixture to settle for 10 to 15 minutes before flushing it down.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional toilet repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed plumbers, are eager to help you get your plumbing back on track and at a price that’s fair. We offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and free haul-away services for old or broken plumbing appliances. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis plumbing service and repair, today.

When is it Time to Replace the Toilet?

Posted on February 1, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Toilet Repair Plumber 317-784-1870

It’s something we use every single day of our lives, but not something we give much thought to. That’s because advancements in plumbing technology have allowed us that privilege. We are talking about toilets! If you own a home or commercial property, you might want to ask yourself if your toilets are in tip-top shape. Although they are reliable plumbing appliances, they will eventually need to be replaced over time. Proper-functioning plumbing is not only convenient, it’s cost effective. You could be losing money on high water or energy bills is there’s a plumbing problem with your toilet.

Continue reading to learn how to identify signs that indicate your toilet needs to be repaired or replaced.

Toilet Replacement

Did you know that the average person flushes around 2,000 times per year? With this much action from just one person, toilets are bound to take on some wear and tear over the years. This is especially true for properties with multiple occupants and multiple bathrooms. When it comes time to decide whether or not your toilet has seen and flushed enough, look for these tell-tale signs of problems:

Leaks and Cracks

Look around your toilet basin, tank, cover, and all other surface areas of the porcelain. If you see even the tiniest crack, it is a bad sign. Small crack, no matter how tiny, have the potential to grow into very large, troublesome cracks that lead to water leaks. At the same time, you want to look for standing puddles of water near the base of the toilet, or condensation on the toilet itself. This could be a sign that there is a leak, and should be inspected by a licensed plumber immediately. If you neglect these signs, it could cause mold and mildew growth in the walls and underneath the tile, leading to costly renovations and repairs.

Frequent Clogging

If your toilet is prone to clogging, and you are not doing something to directly cause it (like flushing things you shouldn’t!), then it may be telling you something. Often times, this could be a result of having low-pressure flushing model that needs to be upgraded to a more powerful-flushing toilet. It can also be due to problems with the toilet’s mechanics, hard water deposits inside the tank, a blocked trap, and more. Talk to a plumber to know for sure, but in these cases, you can usually take it as a sign that you need a new toilet.

Old and Outdated

If your toilet is more than 20 years old, you might want to consider having it replaced. Even if it seems to work fine and never has any issues, and even though toilets can last up to 30 years or more, there are advantages of updating your model toilet. First, new model toilets are more efficient. Older models waste up to 7 gallons of water per flush, while newer models average a smidgen over one gallon per flush. Not only is this eco-friendly, it also saves on monthly utility costs. Second, they are more sought-after by home buyers, so a newer model toilet increases home value. And last, they are more comfortable and stylish.

Frequent Repairs

If your toilet just seems to give you problem after problem, and you find yourself paying (or performing) repair after repair, then it’s time to invest in a new one. Frequent break downs, repairs, and problems are a sign that many things are going wrong with your toilet, and even your plumbing. In this case, you definitely want to replace the toilet altogether, but you should also have your bathroom plumbing inspected by a licensed plumber to ensure there aren’t any serious underlying problems with your plumbing system.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber for toilet service, repair, and replacement. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry. You can rest assure knowing you are getting skilled and knowledgeable plumbing advice you can trust. We offer residential and commercial plumbing repair and service at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 to learn more about toilet repair and replacement services in Indianapolis, IN today.

Tips for Detecting Toilet Leaks

Posted on March 17, 2015 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Toilet Plumber 317-784-1870

A home with an undetected toilet leak can waste more than 80,000 gallons of water each year. Can you imagine the spike in monthly water bills every month? Or the amount of wasted water and money? Stopping any type of water leak in your home is beneficial for many reasons. Since toilet leaks are common, it is important to inspect them regularly in order to stop a leak before it causes major structural damages, costly repairs, and increased water bills. Continue reading to learn how to detect a leaky toilet and what you should do about it.

Leaky Toilets

As soon as you know you have a leaky toilet, shut off the main water valve to stop all water flow in your home. Then call a professional plumber for emergency service. They retain the proper tools and knowledge to quickly and effectively repair a leaky toilet at a price anyone can afford. But before calling a master plumber, it is helpful to determine whether or not a leak exists, on your own. You can do this by checking the following areas:

Flush Valve Issues

Many leaks occur from flush valve issues. Standard toilets come with flush and re-fill valves that can sometimes leak into the toilet bowl, from the tank, if not working properly. With a leak like this, the flush valve will continue to re-fill continuously, causing a running toilet as well. This wastes an abundant amount of water. And if the re-fill valve is also defective in any way, it can cause the toilet tank to overflow.

To check for flush-valve issues:

Start by shutting off the water valve to the toilet. This shut-off valve is located on the bottom left side of the tank. Record the level of water you see, and then re-check it in 20 minutes. If the water level is lower, there is a flush valve leak or similar issue.

To check for re-fill valve issues:

Start by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank of the toilet. Wait ten minutes and then check the bowl. If the food coloring made its way from the tank to the toilet bowl, there is a problem with the re-fill valve; most likely a leak.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Mark Weilhammer, licensed master plumber, at 317-784-1870 for professional toilet repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. He and our team of licensed master plumbers are happy to answer your questions about leaky toilets, toilet repair, water leaks, plumbing repair, and all other plumbing issues. We provide residential and commercial plumbing services at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 for professional toilet installation and repair services in Indianapolis, IN.