Toilet Repairs
Guides on toilets, from the parts inside the tank to the fixture itself. You will find diagnosis articles for a toilet that runs, refills by itself, flushes weakly, clogs repeatedly, sweats, gurgles or leaks at the base, and step-by-step repairs for flappers, fill valves, flush valve seals, handles, supply lines and wax rings. There are also sizing articles that save a wasted trip to the store, rough-in distance, seat shape, flapper diameter, supply line thread, and buying guides for toilets, bidet attachments and seats, augers and plungers, and full tank repair kits.
Picks are chosen from manufacturer specifications, installation instructions, warranty terms and plumbing code, with attention to fit and to whether replacement parts stay available. Fit and manufacturer specifications are checked before anything is recommended, and no brand pays for placement. Some links on these pages are affiliate links, mostly to Amazon; if you buy through one the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best RV Toilet
RV toilets from Dometic product data: the porcelain 410 and lightweight plastic 400, with rough-in fit, seal care, winterizing and installation steps.
Best Wood Toilet Seat
Molded wood toilet seats from Kohler spec sheets: Stonewood Quiet-Close, Broadwood single-hinge and Stonewood standard, with fit, install and care tips.
Best 14-Inch Rough-In Toilet
14-inch rough-in toilets from American Standard, Kohler and Signature Hardware spec sheets, plus how to measure rough-in and when an offset flange helps.
Best Closet Bolts for Toilets
Toilet closet bolts by size and base height: 5/16 x 2-1/4 for most toilets, 3-1/2 inch for tall bases. Danco and Oatey Johni-Bolt picks, caps and tightening.
PVC Closet Flange
Choose a PVC closet flange by pipe size and inside or outside fit. Compare ABS and cast-iron options, ring materials, floor height and model-specific limits.
Best Toilet Shims
Choose toilet shims for a rocking base: stiff vs flexible plastic, interlocking wedges, trimming, wood-shim limits and when leaks or flanges need repair.
Zurn Flush Valve Repair Kit by Gallons
Zurn AquaFlush flush valve repair kits by toilet or urinal and gallons per flush: P6000 diaphragm and rebuild kits, handle and stop kits.
Best Composting Toilet (2026)
Composting toilets compared: Nature’s Head, Separett Villa, OGO Origin and TROBOLO, by urine bottle or drain, capacity, venting, power and local rules.
Kohler vs American Standard Toilets
Kohler vs American Standard toilets: Cimarron, Wellworth, Champion PRO and Cadet PRO compared on flush hardware, height, length and warranty terms.
Best American Standard Toilets (2026)
The best American Standard toilet for your bathroom: Champion PRO, Cadet PRO, Edgemere, Colony 3 and Compact Cadet 3 compared by flush valve and warranty.
Best Heated Toilet Seat (2026)
Heated toilet seats from Bemis and Kohler compared from maker specs: temperatures, watts, outlet and GFCI needs, cord length, and round vs elongated.
Best Toilet With Built-In Bidet (2026)
Picks for a toilet with built-in bidet, from maker documents: TOTO, Kohler and DeerValley, plus the GFCI outlet, rough-in, water pressure and outage flushing.
Best 10 Inch Rough-In Toilets (2026)
10 inch rough-in toilets from TOTO, Kohler and American Standard sheets and MaP scores, with how far each bowl sticks out and what comes in the box.
Best Handicap Toilets (2026)
Handicap and ADA chair height toilets from maker sheets and the 2010 ADA Standards: seat height, lever side, grab bars, plus American Standard, Gerber, TOTO.
Best Kohler Toilets (2026)
Kohler toilets compared from Kohler spec sheets, warranties and MaP scores: Cimarron, Wellworth, Memoirs and Highline picks by height, size and warranty.
Best Pressure-Assist Toilets (2026)
Pressure-assist toilets explained by a licensed plumber: the Kohler Pressure Lite picks, the water pressure each needs, the noise and Flushmate fixes.
Best Skirted Toilets (2026)
Skirted toilets from maker sheets and MaP scores: Kohler, TOTO and American Standard picks, plus rough-in, shutoff clearance and skirt mounting.
Best Wall Mounted Toilets
Wall mounted toilets from TOTO and Swiss Madison, checked against maker documents: what is in the box, 2×4 vs 2×6 carriers, load ratings, drain and access.
Single Flush vs Dual Flush Toilet
Single flush vs dual flush toilets from maker sheets and code: the 1.28 gpf rules, WaterSense counting, MaP scores, button leaks and four picks.
Best Compact Toilets for Small Bathrooms, Ranked by Depth
Compare two compact toilets by verified depth, bowl shape and seat height. Check rough-in, door swing and installed clearance before choosing.
Read more: Best Compact Toilets for Small Bathrooms, Ranked by Depth
Toilet Tank-to-Bowl Gasket by Brand: Which Kit Fits?
Tank-to-bowl gasket kits by brand and flush valve size: American Standard 7381163, 738756 and 7381147, Kohler GP51487, and which universal gaskets fit.
Read more: Toilet Tank-to-Bowl Gasket by Brand: Which Kit Fits?
American Standard Toilet Fill Valve: Which Part Fits?
American Standard names one fill valve for Cadet, VorMax and Champion toilets: the 7381125-400.0070A Universal 400A. Plus the overnight test that proves it.
Read more: American Standard Toilet Fill Valve: Which Part Fits?
TOTO Toilet Fill Valve Replacement: Which Part Fits?
TOTO fill valve by model from its parts manuals: TSU708 on the Drake and Entrada, TSU54A or TSU53A on the Drake II, TSU51A on the Ultramax II, plus TSU99A.XR.
Read more: TOTO Toilet Fill Valve Replacement: Which Part Fits?
Kohler Toilet Fill Valve Replacement: Which Part Fits?
Kohler fill valve by model: GP1083167 or GP1138930 for two-piece toilets (check the shank color), GP1068030 for Rialto, San Raphael and Revival, 84499 kit.
Read more: Kohler Toilet Fill Valve Replacement: Which Part Fits?
Kohler Toilet Flapper: 2-Inch vs 3¼-Inch (Class Five)
Which Kohler flapper fits? Kohler’s catalog: 3¼-inch means Class Five (GP1078441 on a two-piece); 2-inch two-pieces take GP85160 or GP87449. Canisters: a seal.
Read more: Kohler Toilet Flapper: 2-Inch vs 3¼-Inch (Class Five)
Glacier Bay Toilet Flapper Replacement: Which Part Fits
Glacier Bay flapper or seal? Fluidmaster’s 5401GB (3-inch) and 5052GB (2-inch), and Korky’s 441 or 444 dual flush seal by flush valve color. How to tell.
Read more: Glacier Bay Toilet Flapper Replacement: Which Part Fits
Gerber Toilet Fill Valve and Flapper Replacement
Gerber toilet parts by tank number: the GA711048 universal fill valve, the Viper’s GA715067 flapper, dual flush seals, and Gerber’s own leak and fill tests.
TOTO Toilet Flapper Replacement: THU500S or a Seal?
Which TOTO flapper fits? TOTO’s manuals list the THU500S for many 3-inch tanks, but 1.28 gpf Tornado Flush Drakes and E-Max Eco Ultramax use a THU407 seal.
Read more: TOTO Toilet Flapper Replacement: THU500S or a Seal?
American Standard Toilet Flapper: Which One Fits?
Which American Standard flapper fits? Match the tank number to the maker’s part: 7381193 for Cadet, 7381424 for VorMax, 7301111 or 7382098 for Champion.
Read more: American Standard Toilet Flapper: Which One Fits?
Best Toilet Flush Valve Replacement Kits (2026)
A licensed plumber’s flush valve kit picks for 2-inch and 3-inch toilets, plus Fluidmaster’s 30-minute water test to confirm the valve is really the leak.
Wobbly Toilet? How to Fix a Toilet That Rocks
A licensed plumber on fixing a toilet that rocks: snug the closet bolts the right way, shim an uneven floor, and know when the flange is the real problem.
Best Handheld Bidet Sprayer (and the Backflow Rule)
Three handheld bidet sprayers compared on valve, hose and backflow protection, plus the supply-line sizes to check before one arrives.
Read more: Best Handheld Bidet Sprayer (and the Backflow Rule)
Toilet Auger vs Drain Snake: Which One for Your Clog
A toilet auger and a drain snake are not the same tool, and swapping them scratches porcelain. A licensed plumber on which goes where.
Read more: Toilet Auger vs Drain Snake: Which One for Your Clog
Offset Toilet Flange
An offset toilet flange moves a toilet 1-1/2 to 2 inches, per the makers. Which rough-ins it fixes, PVC vs ABS, and four picks from the spec sheets.
Toilet Supply Line Size: The 3/8 vs 1/2 Confusion, Untangled
A supply line has two different ends, and people quote the wrong one. 3/8 compression at the wall, 7/8 ballcock at the toilet — and why a faucet line will never fit.
Read more: Toilet Supply Line Size: The 3/8 vs 1/2 Confusion, Untangled
Your Kohler Does Not Take a Flapper: Canister Flush Valve Seals Explained
If the whole cylinder in your tank lifts when you flush, you have a canister flush valve and no flapper will fit it. Here is the part you actually need.
Read more: Your Kohler Does Not Take a Flapper: Canister Flush Valve Seals Explained
Something Got Flushed Down the Toilet: Will an Auger Get It Out?
A toilet auger clears clogs — it does not retrieve objects. How to tell where a flushed item actually is, when augering works, and when you have to pull the toilet.
Read more: Something Got Flushed Down the Toilet: Will an Auger Get It Out?
Bidet Attachment Install: Check These 4 Things First
A licensed plumber on installing a bidet attachment — the seized shutoff valve that turns 20 minutes into a real job, why the spray is weak, and the leak that shows up a week later.
Read more: Bidet Attachment Install: Check These 4 Things First
Toilet Seat Size: Round or Elongated? Measure This First
A licensed plumber on toilet seat sizing — measure the bowl not the old seat, the two-inch gap between round and elongated, and whether slow-close is worth it.
Read more: Toilet Seat Size: Round or Elongated? Measure This First
Toilet Rough-In Size: Measure This Before You Buy
A licensed plumber on measuring toilet rough-in — wall to bolt center, what 10 vs 12 vs 14 inches means, and why buying the right toilet beats an offset flange.
Read more: Toilet Rough-In Size: Measure This Before You Buy
Toilet Flange Too Low? Why Stacking Wax Rings Fails
A buried flange is the usual cause of a toilet that leaks, rocks or smells. Why two wax rings is the wrong fix, and what to use instead.
Read more: Toilet Flange Too Low? Why Stacking Wax Rings Fails
One-Piece vs Two-Piece Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
One-piece vs two-piece toilet from a licensed plumber: weight, the tank-to-bowl gasket, cleaning, parts and height, read from maker spec sheets.
Read more: One-Piece vs Two-Piece Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
2-Inch vs 3-Inch Toilet Flapper: How to Tell Which You Need
Measure the valve seat, not the old flapper – it warps with age. A licensed plumber on telling the two sizes apart, and the canister valves that take no flapper at all.
Read more: 2-Inch vs 3-Inch Toilet Flapper: How to Tell Which You Need
Elongated vs Round Toilet: Size Difference and Which to Buy
The only dimension that differs is bowl length – 16.5 inches vs 18.5 inches from the bolts to the rim. A licensed plumber on where those two inches matter, and the compact elongated option nobody mentions.
Read more: Elongated vs Round Toilet: Size Difference and Which to Buy
Comfort Height vs Standard Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
Comfort height is 17-19 inches, standard is 14.5-16 – but ADA measures to the top of the seat while manufacturers list rim height. A licensed plumber on which to buy and the measuring trap.
Read more: Comfort Height vs Standard Toilet: Which Should You Buy?
Cost to Install a Bidet (2026): Attachment, Seat & Standalone
What a bidet really costs to install in 2026 — attachment vs. seat vs. standalone, when you need an electrician for an outlet, and DIY vs. a pro. A licensed plumber’s honest breakdown.
Read more: Cost to Install a Bidet (2026): Attachment, Seat & Standalone
Toilet Still Running After Replacing the Flapper? 7 Things a Plumber Checks Next
You replaced the flapper and the toilet still runs. A licensed plumber’s 7-step checklist — chain slack, valve seat, fill valve, float height — all under $20.
Read more: Toilet Still Running After Replacing the Flapper? 7 Things a Plumber Checks Next
Toilet Tank Fills Slowly? Causes & Fixes
A toilet that takes two or three minutes to refill after a flush is annoying — and it usually points to one of a handful of simple, fixable causes. As a licensed plumber, nine times out of ten the culprit is the simplest one: a supply valve that someone only opened halfway. Work through these…
Water Around the Base of Your Toilet? Causes & Fixes
Water pooling around the base of your toilet? A licensed plumber’s 5-step diagnosis — wax ring, loose bolts, tank gasket, supply line, or just condensation — and the fix for each.
Read more: Water Around the Base of Your Toilet? Causes & Fixes
Phantom Flushing: Why Your Toilet Runs by Itself
You are sitting in a quiet house and the toilet suddenly hisses and refills for ten seconds, like a ghost flushed it. That is phantom flushing (plumbers call it ghost flushing), and it is not haunted, it is a slow leak. Water is sneaking from the tank into the bowl, the level drops, and the…
How to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring (Plumber’s Step-by-Step)
Water pooling around the base of a toilet, or a faint sewage smell that will not go away, almost always means one thing: the wax ring under the toilet has failed. It is the doughnut of wax that seals the toilet to the drain flange, and when it gives out, every flush weeps a little…
Read more: How to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring (Plumber’s Step-by-Step)
Why Is My Toilet Sweating? Stop Tank Condensation
If you’re finding water on the floor around the base of the toilet in summer and the tank feels cold and wet to the touch, your toilet is “sweating.” It’s condensation — the same thing that beads up on a cold drink on a humid day. Cold water fills the tank, chills the porcelain, and…
Read more: Why Is My Toilet Sweating? Stop Tank Condensation
Toilet Bubbling or Gurgling? Causes and Fixes
A toilet that bubbles or gurgles – either on its own or when you run a nearby sink, tub, or washing machine – is trying to tell you something. That sound is air being pulled backward through the water in the trap, and it almost always points to a drainage or venting problem, not the…
How to Replace a Toilet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Replacing a toilet is one of the most satisfying weekend plumbing jobs a homeowner can take on – it is mostly muscle and patience, not specialized skill, and a new toilet runs about an hour once you have done it. As a licensed plumber, here is the full sequence, including the two steps people rush…
How to Unclog a Toilet (Without Calling a Plumber)
Unclogging a toilet is the single most common plumbing job a homeowner faces, and the good news is that you can fix the large majority of clogs yourself in about ten minutes – without a plumber and without the harsh chemical drain openers that can crack a porcelain bowl. As a licensed plumber, here is…
Read more: How to Unclog a Toilet (Without Calling a Plumber)
Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging? A Plumber’s Causes & Fixes
A licensed plumber explains why a toilet keeps clogging – the real causes, how to tell which one you’ve got, the DIY fixes, and when it’s the main line and you need a pro.
Read more: Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging? A Plumber’s Causes & Fixes
Cost to Replace a Toilet in 2026 (Plumber’s Real Numbers)
A licensed plumber breaks down the real cost to replace a toilet — DIY vs. hiring out, the hidden costs most people miss, and how to save.
Read more: Cost to Replace a Toilet in 2026 (Plumber’s Real Numbers)
Best Bidet Toilet Seats in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best bidet toilet seats in 2026 — from feature-loaded electric Washlets to no-electricity-needed models, and how to install one.
Read more: Best Bidet Toilet Seats in 2026 (A Licensed Plumber’s Picks)
Best Toilets (2026)
Compare exact toilet models by rough-in, finished seat height, water use, MaP score, included parts and warranty limits.
The Best Toilet Auger for Home Use in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)
A licensed plumber’s picks for the best toilet (closet) augers in 2026 — the tool that clears clogs a plunger can’t, without scratching your bowl.
Read more: The Best Toilet Auger for Home Use in 2026 (Plumber-Picked)