When you use your toilet every day, you may not think about all it goes through to work properly. It features several components that can wear down with time and leave you with plumbing problems, such as leaks and clogged pipes. Fortunately, if you practice the following toilet maintenance steps, you can avoid having to call a plumber for emergency care.

How to Keep Your Toilet in Good Condition

1. Avoid Store-Bought Drain Cleaners

When your toilet is suffering from a clogged pipe, a store-bought drain cleaner may be able to clear the problem. However, these products also contain corrosive agents that wear away at pipes and cause severe leaks over time. For safer drain clearing, try unclogging with hot water and a flange plunger. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, call a plumber for professional care.

2. Clean Surfaces Regularly

Get in the habit of wiping down and disinfecting the bowl regularly. In most cases, mixing mild soap, vinegar, or bleach will be enough to clean the toilet. Doing so will help keep the surfaces looking fresh, as well as remove harmful bacteria and odors. Cleaning will also help prevent destructive rust from forming around metal parts.

3. Inspect the Tank Twice a Year

Even if everything seems to be operating normally, check the components of the tank once every six months. With the lid off, flush the toilet to make sure the lever lifts appropriately and the flapper valve seals completely. If any parts look damaged or defective, replace them.

4. Avoid Flushing Inappropriate Items

The only things that should go in the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Improper materials — including feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs, and paper towels — can lead to clogged pipes that require the help of a trusted plumber. If you have little ones, teach them what can and cannot be flushed.

5. Check for Silent Leaks

You might not always see evidence of a leak, especially if the flapper valve is to blame. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank water. After about 30 minutes, check the toilet bowl water. If there is any food coloring in the bowl, it means water is slowly leaking from the tank, so replace the valve. Perform this inspection about twice a year.

If you live in the Lakeville, MN, area and encounter toilet problems, turn to the trusted team at Drain Pro Plumbing. As a winner of the 2018 Angie's List Super Service Award, this local plumber is equipped to handle both major and minor problems with confidence — including clogged pipes and leaks. Visit them online to learn more about their capabilities or call (952) 469-6999 to request prompt assistance from a friendly professional.