Toilet Repair in Toronto & the GTA
A toilet problem is small until it is the only toilet in the house. For homeowners and property managers in Toronto and the GTA who need toilet repair, 2plumbers helps you get a licensed plumber quickly for same-day, emergency, or scheduled service. A running toilet quietly adds to your water bill; a blocked one on a Sunday night is a genuine emergency for a family of four; a leak at the base rots the floor underneath while it looks like a bit of splashed water.
Call us and our assistant confirms what the toilet is doing and your postal code, then connects you live to a plumber who is available now. If it is your second bathroom and it can wait, the online request reaches the same plumber during calling hours. Below, you will find the common toilet repair problems we handle, including running toilets, clogs, weak flushes, leaks, cracks, and overflows, what to do before the plumber arrives, what affects cost, and the key licensing, safety, and FAQ details that help you decide what to do next.
When it can’t wait
- The toilet is overflowing and will not stop. Shut the supply valve behind it, or lift the tank lid and push the flapper down.
- It is the only toilet in the home and it is blocked solid.
- Water is coming up the toilet when you run a tap or shower elsewhere. That is a drain problem, not the toilet.
- The floor around the base is soft, or there is a stain on the ceiling below.
Any of these: call now. (437) 523-7772
Common toilet repair problems
Running toilet or refilling on its own
A worn toilet flapper or a fill valve set too high lets water trickle from the tank to the bowl. In most cases, the problem is easy to fix with a simple flapper or fill-valve adjustment rather than full replacement. A toilet repair kit or an all-in-one repair kit can include fill valves, flush valves, gaskets, hardware, and mounting parts. Many modern toilets use standardized parts, and basic kits often cost about $10 to $20. It is the single most common cause of an unexpectedly high water bill, and one of the cheapest repairs.
Weak or incomplete flush
Mineral build-up in the rim jets, a flapper closing too soon, a loose flush handle or slack chain that prevents the inside lever from lifting fully, or a partial blockage in the trap can all cause a weak flush. Older low-flow toilets can also simply be underpowered.
Clogged toilet
Usually too much paper, or something that should never have gone down, causes a clogged toilet and a clog. Repeated flushing makes the clog worse, and a plunger is the first step to unclog it. There are two types of plungers: drain plungers have a flat bottom, while toilet plungers have a bell-shaped head made for the bowl; if that fails, a toilet auger can clear a stubborn blockage farther into the trap. If plunging and augering fail, a plumber may need to remove the toilet or use a simple hook to pull out an object.
Leaking at the base
The wax seal and wax ring between the toilet and the drain have failed, often because the toilet rocks, and a new wax ring is typically installed during this repair. Once the toilet is lifted, the plumber should inspect the flange and drain opening before resealing. Old wax is usually scraped away with a putty knife before the new seal is installed. Water escapes with each flush and soaks the subfloor, which is why this is not a leak to live with.
Cracked toilet tank or bowl, or a leaking supply
A hairline crack in porcelain cannot be repaired reliably, and a broken toilet with a cracked tank or bowl usually needs a new toilet rather than repair. A dripping supply line or shutoff valve behind the toilet is usually a straightforward replacement of the part or unit when needed.
Before the plumber arrives
- Turn the supply valve behind the toilet clockwise to shut off the water if it is overflowing or leaking.
- If it is blocked, try a flange plunger (the kind with a narrow extension) once or twice. There are two types of plungers: drain plungers have a flat bottom, while a toilet plunger is the right choice for a toilet. Do not keep flushing.
- If that does not unclog it, use a toilet auger to reach a stubborn blockage in the trap.
- Do not pour chemical cleaners into a blocked toilet. They do not clear solid blockages and make the job dangerous for the plumber.
- Mop up standing water and put a towel down; if the floor feels soft, stay off it.
- Clear the area around the toilet so the plumber can lift it if the seal needs replacing, and make enough space to remove the toilet and check the floor flange and drain.
What affects the cost
We do not quote prices; the plumber you are connected to does, before the work starts. These are the things that move the number.
Repair with toilet repair kits or replace
Flappers, fill valves and supply lines are inexpensive parts, so in most cases repair is the more economical solution than replacement and avoids unnecessary expense. A cracked bowl, or an old toilet with several worn parts, is often replaced instead, but professional repairs often cost less, save money, and most toilets last 10–20 years with proper repairs. Professional work can extend service life by about 10 years, and a licensed plumber can often complete the fix in one visit because they carry common parts, which helps when you need to purchase a matching replacement part only if needed.
What is under the toilet
Replacing a wax seal is routine. If the flange is broken or the subfloor has rotted, the job grows and may involve a second trade. When the toilet is lifted and reset after a failed base seal, the plumber may also replace the bolts, using a wrench carefully on the mounting hardware to avoid damage.
The blockage
Paper clears quickly. An object lodged in the trap may mean removing the toilet to get at it. If a blockage affects the toilet and nearby pipes, same-day service can help prevent further damage to the plumbing system.
Time of day
Plumbers set their own rates, and many charge more overnight and on holidays. The plumber you are connected to quotes you before starting.
Licensing and safety
Plumbing is a compulsory trade in Ontario. A plumber replacing a toilet, a flange or a drain connection should hold a Skilled Trades Ontario certificate of qualification (306A). Every plumber in our network agrees in writing to hold the licences and insurance the province requires; ask for the number.
Water coming up through a toilet from other fixtures is a drain or sewer problem. If it happens during heavy rain, the City's sewer may be involved; the plumber will tell you whether to report it to Toronto 311.
Questions about toilet repair
How do I stop a toilet that is overflowing?
Turn the small valve on the wall or floor behind the toilet clockwise until it stops. If it is stiff or missing, lift the tank lid and push the rubber flapper down over the hole at the bottom of the tank; that stops water entering the bowl while you shut off the main.
Why does my toilet run every few minutes?
Water is leaking from the tank into the bowl, so the fill valve tops the tank up again. The usual cause is a worn flapper, sometimes a fill valve set too high or a cracked overflow tube. It wastes a surprising amount of water and is a quick repair.
Is a leak at the base of the toilet serious?
Yes, more than it looks. Each flush pushes water past the failed seal into the subfloor, where it stays. Left for months it rots the floor and stains the ceiling below. Stop using that toilet if you can and have the seal replaced.
Can I flush again to clear a blockage?
Once, carefully, with your hand ready on the flapper. After that, stop; each flush adds water to a bowl that is not draining. Use a flange plunger, and if that does not clear it, call. A plumber's closet auger reaches what a plunger cannot.
Do you repair toilets yourselves?
No. 2plumbers.ca is a live call-connection service run by PatchLead. We confirm the problem and your location, then connect you on the same call to an independent plumber from our network who does the repair and quotes you directly. You pay nothing to use the service.