In Reston, a toilet that runs, leaks or clogs usually needs a new flapper or fill valve, a fresh wax seal, or a clog cleared from the trapway. Much of the housing dates from the planned-community years of the 1970s through the 1990s, so original parts are often at the end of their life. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Reston.
Reston was laid out from 1964 as a planned community, with village centers such as Lake Anne, Hunters Woods and South Lakes and, later, Reston Town Center. The typical home was built in 1983. Fairfax Water supplies the area and disinfects with chloramines from about July through March, changing to free chlorine from roughly April through June. Fairfax County's Wastewater Management program runs the public sewer, and the lateral from the house to the County main is the owner's responsibility.
What to do now
- Close the supply. Turn the small valve on the wall or floor behind the toilet until it stops. If it is stuck, use the main shutoff where the water line enters the house.
- Hold off on flushing. One more flush on a clogged bowl can send water across the floor.
- Protect the room below. If the bathroom is upstairs, check the ceiling under it and move anything valuable.
- Test another drain. Run a sink or tub for a moment. If the toilet bubbles or rises, the trouble is likely past the toilet.
- Peek in the tank. See whether water is spilling into the overflow tube or the flapper has stopped closing.
- Know who to call for a sewage spill. If sewage is backing up with no fixture in use, Fairfax County's 24-hour line is 703-323-1211.
Symptoms and what usually causes them
| Symptom | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Tank refills every few minutes | Flapper warped or chain caught |
| Water keeps pouring into the overflow tube | Fill valve set too high or failing |
| Puddle at the base after flushing | Wax ring no longer sealing |
| Water stain on the ceiling below | Leaking seal or supply connection upstairs |
| Slow, swirling flush | Partial clog or mineral buildup in the rim |
| Toilet and tub back up together | Blockage in the main line or lateral |
Cost factors
- Scope: tank parts cost less to replace than a pulled and reset toilet.
- Flooring: tile, wood or water-damaged subfloor around the base adds time.
- The shutoff: an original valve that will not close is usually swapped during the visit.
- Clog depth: a blockage past the toilet may need a longer cable or a camera.
- Replacement: a new fixture adds the toilet itself and hauling the old one away.
- Hours: evening and weekend calls usually cost more.
Toilet Repair questions in Reston
How do I check for a tank leak I can't hear?
Why does the water smell more like chlorine in the spring?
Can a leaking upstairs toilet damage the ceiling below?
The toilet rocks when someone sits on it. Is that urgent?
More plumbing services in Reston
Toilet Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: