If a Temple Hills toilet is overflowing, shut the valve behind it and stop flushing; a running or leaking toilet usually needs a new flapper, fill valve or wax ring. Much of the housing here was built from the 1950s through the 1970s, so original flanges and drain lines are common. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Temple Hills.
Temple Hills is a mostly residential community of garden apartments, duplexes and single-family homes, many built between the 1950s and 1970s; the median year built is 1973. The Temple Hills mailing address reaches well beyond the community itself. WSSC Water provides water and sewer service, and its emergency line, 301-206-4002, takes reports of backups in the street.
What to do now
- Turn off the supply. The valve is on the wall behind or beside the toilet. If it won't turn, lift the float in the tank and then close the main.
- Stop flushing. A clogged toilet will overflow again.
- Try a flange plunger. Use slow, firm strokes with a good seal. Skip chemical drain cleaners.
- Check the rest of the house. If the tub or a floor drain backs up when you plunge, the blockage is past the toilet.
- In an apartment or duplex, tell building management or your neighbor if water is leaking through.
- Call WSSC at 301-206-4002 if sewage is coming up outside or neighbors are affected.
- Call a plumber if the clog won't clear or water appears at the base.
Signs and what they usually mean
| Sign | Usual cause |
|---|---|
| Water trickles into the bowl constantly | Flapper or flush valve seat worn |
| Tank never finishes filling | Fill valve worn or float set wrong |
| Floor wet after each flush | Wax ring or flange failure |
| Bowl rocks | Loose closet bolts or uneven floor |
| Toilet and tub back up together | Main drain or lateral blocked |
| Sewer smell, no visible water | Dried or shifted wax seal |
In Temple Hills garden apartments and duplexes, bathrooms are often stacked or back to back, so a slow floor-seal leak can show up first in the unit below or next door. In single-family homes from the 1950s and 1960s, the drain under the toilet may be original cast iron, and a flange that has been reused through several replacements is a frequent reason a new toilet starts leaking.
What affects the cost
- Replacing tank parts versus pulling the toilet
- Repairing or replacing an old flange
- Clearing the main line rather than just the bowl
- Replacing a seized shutoff valve
- Choosing a new toilet
In Prince George's County, WSSC Water issues plumbing permits and inspections, and the county says replacing an existing fixture generally doesn't need a permit, unlike a water heater.
Toilet Repair questions in Temple Hills
The bowl is rising toward the rim. What do I do right now?
The toilet wobbles when someone sits on it. How urgent is that?
How do I know whether it's a toilet clog or a blocked sewer lateral?
Should I fix an old toilet or replace it?
More plumbing services in Temple Hills
Toilet Repair nearby
Helpful guides
Sources
Last updated: