Toilet, Faucet & Garbage Disposal Repair & Installation

A constantly running toilet or spontaneous "phantom flush" is almost always caused by a deteriorating rubber flapper or cracked flush valve seat. Over time, chemical cleaners and mineral deposits cause the rubber flapper to warp or develop micro-pits, allowing water to silently seep from the tank into the bowl. When the tank water level drops below a set threshold, the fill valve triggers automatically to refill the tank. Replacing the flapper, flush valve, and fill valve with commercial-grade components eliminates water waste immediately.

A rocking toilet bowl occurs when the floor mounting closet bolts are loose, the wax gasket has compressed unevenly, or the underlying closet flange is cracked or set above the finished floor level. While it may feel minor, a rocking toilet is a serious issue because every slight movement breaks the airtight seal of the wax ring. This allows sewer gas odors to escape into your home and lets wastewater seep beneath tiles, quickly rotting subfloors and ceiling framing below. It should be repaired promptly by a licensed plumber.

Standard height toilets measure approximately 14 to 15 inches from the finished floor to the top of the bowl rim (excluding the seat). Comfort Height (often called "Right Height" or ADA-compliant) toilets measure 17 to 19 inches from floor to rim, matching standard chair height. Comfort Height toilets are significantly easier on the knees and back, making sitting down and standing up much more comfortable for adults, tall individuals, and anyone with mobility or joint challenges.

Toilets installed before 1994 consume between 3.5 and 7.0 gallons per flush (GPF). Modern EPA WaterSense certified high-efficiency toilets use only 1.28 GPF or less—a reduction of over 60% to 75% in water usage without sacrificing flushing power. For an average family of four, replacing an outdated toilet with a modern 1.28 GPF model saves up to 13,000 to 20,000 gallons of water and hundreds of dollars on water and sewer bills every single year.

Most faucet drips stem from worn internal rubber O-rings, degraded spring seats, or mineral buildup inside the ceramic disc cartridge rather than total fixture failure. In the vast majority of cases, our plumbers can rebuild the existing faucet by replacing the internal cartridge and seals with genuine manufacturer parts (such as Moen, Delta, or Kohler), restoring like-new performance at a fraction of the cost of total replacement. If the valve body is severely corroded or cracked, full replacement is recommended.

First, turn off the wall switch immediately to prevent motor burnout. A humming noise indicates electrical power is reaching the unit, but a hard object (such as a bone, fruit pit, or fallen utensil) is jamming the rotating flywheel. Never put your hands inside the disposal hopper! You can check the bottom center of the disposal underneath the sink for a small hex-socket opening. Inserting a 1/4-inch Allen wrench and rotating it back and forth manually can often free the stuck flywheel. If the red reset button on the bottom has popped out, press it back in after clearing the jam. If the unit remains seized or leaks, call our plumbers for safe repair.

For light household use (1 to 2 people), a 1/3 HP to 1/2 HP disposal is adequate for soft table scraps. For standard family homes (3 to 5 people), a 3/4 HP motor with stainless steel grind components is strongly recommended because it easily grinds tougher vegetable peelings, chicken bones, and fibrous foods without jamming. For large households, home chefs, or heavy entertaining, a 1 HP commercial-grade disposal offers maximum torque, multi-stage grinding, and advanced sound dampening.

Waterproof silicone caulking creates an impermeable barrier at the vulnerable intersection where tubs, sinks, and countertops meet tiled or drywall surrounds. Without a continuous, properly applied bead of 100% silicone sealant, water splashes seep behind the walls and underneath the fixture. This leads to hidden mold colonization, framing rot, and ceiling stains in rooms located directly below the bathroom. Professional sanitary caulking protects your home's structural integrity.

Costs vary depending on whether the job requires rebuilding an existing fixture or installing a new unit. Simple faucet cartridge rebuilds, toilet flapper replacements, or garbage disposal unjamming typically range from $150 to $350. Installing a customer-supplied toilet or garbage disposal averages $250 to $550 including subfloor/flange inspection and code-compliant supply line hookups. Complete valve replacements or custom sink rough-ins range from $450 to $900+. We provide upfront, flat-rate pricing before starting any work so you never experience hidden surprises.