Toilet Repair in Takoma Park, MD

Why do toilets in old Takoma Park houses keep leaking at the base?

Takoma Park was laid out in 1883 as a commuter suburb on the District line, and much of it is a National Register historic district. Bathrooms in those houses were often added or rebuilt over the decades, so a toilet may sit on a cast iron or lead closet bend, a flange that's been reused several times, or a floor that has been built up with layers of tile. Any of those can keep a new wax seal from compressing properly. A plumber checks the flange height and condition, adds a spacer or repair ring if needed, and sets the toilet so it doesn't rock. Plaster ceilings below an upstairs bath are worth checking for stains after any leak.

Does the water here wear out tank parts?

WSSC Water supplies Takoma Park's water and sewer. Its tap analysis lists average hardness of about 140 mg/L for Potomac plant water and about 64 mg/L for Patuxent plant water, and which plant reaches a home varies. On the harder supply, minerals collect on the flapper seat and the fill valve over time. WSSC disinfects with chlorine, and rubber flappers stiffen with age either way, so a running tank in an older house usually means the parts are simply worn out.

Who should I call if sewage comes up through the toilet?

If the toilet backs up while other drains are fine, it's a clog in the house and a plumber is the call. If several fixtures back up at once, or sewage appears in a basement floor drain or outdoors, contact WSSC Water's emergency line at 301-206-4002 to check the public sewer. In older homes, a backup that keeps returning often traces to roots or a sag in the line from the house to the street, and a camera inspection can show where.

A local note

Takoma Park's heavy tree canopy is part of its character, but tree roots are also a common reason older sewer laterals clog. If the lowest toilet in the house is the one that keeps backing up, mention the age of the house and any large trees out front when you call. Plumbing permits here go through WSSC Water, which requires most work to be done by a plumber registered with WSSC.