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Plumbing in your half bath comes down to a toilet and a sink, making this one of the simpler types of bathroom plumbing jobs. However, renovated half baths may have water supply and drainpipes placed far from existing lines, making plumbing repairs a bit more complex.
Understanding the plumbing issues that can come up in your showerless bath helps you choose a reputable plumber and understand the repairs made in your home. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain provides certified, licensed and insured plumbers for your half bath.
Half Bath Toilet Plumbing Repair
Common repairs to toilets include fixing the ballcock, preparing the flush valve and stopping a running toilet. Since room is a premium in half baths, maneuvering around the toilet can become a headache. It’s often easier to call a plumber to handle the repairs.
Fixing the Ballcock
Refill valves control the amount of water that flows into a refilling tank. Older styles are called ballcocks for the floating ball that opens and closes the valve.
Although they are not typically used in new toilets, you may have them in older half baths. You can bend the float arm up or down to fix some problems. For example, if your toilet keeps running after the flush cycle ends, the water level is probably too high. Bend the float arm down and the float ball turns off the water in the tank. Sometimes, the water level has to be fine-tuned. If you can’t fix the problem after a few tries, it’s time to call a professional to hand the plumbing repair.
Ballcock valves are notoriously problematic. Consider asking our plumber to install a modern float-cup valve.
Repairing the Flush Valve
The flush valve lies in the middle of the tank. It consists of a plastic or brass fitting attached to the tank bottom. It may have a float ball, or a flapper made of neoprene or rubber.
The flapper keeps water in the tank until you flush the toilet. Then, a wire or chain lifts the flapper so the water can flow from the tank to the bowl. The flapper falls back in place after the tank empties so that water can refill the tank.
A vertical overflow tube extends from the flush valve. It prevents water from overflowing and lets a small amount flow into the bowl during refilling. This replaces the standing water in the toilet.
These components are typically inexpensive to replace, so that’s often the best solution. Plumbing repairs on these mechanisms can be tricky. To avoid ongoing issues, it’s best to entrust your plumber to get the job done right the first time.
Stopping a Running Toilet
A running toilet can raise your water bill and keep you awake at night. Often, the problem results when the flapper doesn’t seat properly on the flush valve opening. Alternately, when the water level is too high, water from the overflow valve flows back into the tank. For this type of problem, we may replace the refill valve.
Repairing the Flush Handle
If the flush handle becomes loose, you can usually fix the problem yourself. The lift wire or chain connecting the flapper and lift arm probably came loose. Reconnect the wire or chain to resolve the issue.
If the handle mounting nut is loose, you can tighten it with a counterclockwise rotation.
Solving Toilet Clogs
Depending on the severity of the clog, this is one plumbing repair best left to the experts. DIY fixes can damage your pipes and even endanger your family’s health. Our well-trained plumbers have the skills and equipment to unclog the toilet in your half bath quickly.
Half Bath Sink Plumbing Repair
Fixing the sink in your half bath may be simple or require the intervention of a plumber. At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, we are also ready to come to the rescue when a leaky sink or faucet develops.
Unclogging a Sink Drain
You can try using a sink snake to remove grime and hair causing water to drain slowly. If you use a drain-clearing chemical, use extreme caution. Chemicals can damage your pipes and pose an air quality risk when you breathe in the fumes. Also, follow the directions on the bottle very carefully.
For best results, call us to complete the plumbing repairs safely and efficiently. We have advance tools, such as video cameras and snakes that won’t damage the porcelain finish of your sink.
Fixing a Dripping Faucet
Faucet handles have a valve that controls water flow (on or off). O-rings are used in the stopping mechanism. For homes with hard water, the O-ring seats are the typical culprit. Once the soft rubber turns to hard plastic, it no longer stops the water, resulting in a slow leak. Our experienced plumbers replace the O-ring seal or valve mechanism to ensure the problem doesn’t continue.
Pipe Replacement
Pipes made of plastic or metal can crack and corrode. If the pipes under your sink require plumbing repairs, call us immediately. The large curved P-trap is the first place we look to determine where the clog is. We simply replace the cracked pipe and help you figure out what caused the damage. To avoid damaging the pipes in your half bath, it’s a good idea not to store too much stuff under the sink.
If the problem lies deeper in the drainpipe, we will trace the source of the problem and resolve it for you.
When to Call a Plumber
When you are planning a half bath remodel, call a certified plumber to make sure everything goes smoothly.
The following symptoms indicate that plumbing repairs are imminent:
- Low or erratic water pressure
- Slow drain even after unclogging your sink
- Leaks inside the walls
- Sewage backing up into your sink
For plumbing repair in your half bath or throughout your home or business, call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain today. We vet our plumbing technicians carefully and stand behind our work with a warranty.
