Toilet Repair
Quick answer
Most toilet problems come down to a few parts: the wax ring and flange (leaks at the base, rocking), the flapper and fill valve (running), or the trap and drain (clogs). HomeAdvisor puts the average repair at $271, with most between $150 and $391. For a plumber in your area, call (888) 217-6781.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Signs you need a plumber
- Water on the floor around the base after a flush
- The toilet rocks or shifts when you sit
- It runs or refills on its own
- Slow flushes or repeated clogs
- A sewer smell near the toilet
Water at the base every flush is soaking the subfloor. Stop using that toilet, close the supply valve behind it, and call before the floor softens.
What to check before you call
- Wipe the base dry and flush: water at the base points to the wax ring
- Put food coloring in the tank; color in the bowl without flushing means the flapper leaks
- Check the supply line and its nut behind the toilet for drips
- Rock the bowl gently: movement means loose bolts or a damaged flange
What the plumber does
- 1
Diagnoses the leak
Tells a wax ring or flange failure from a tank, supply line or condensation leak.
- 2
Pulls and resets
Removes the toilet, replaces the wax ring or flange repair kit, and resets it level on new bolts.
- 3
Fixes the tank
Replaces the flapper, fill valve or flush valve so it stops running.
Toilet repair cost
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet repair, typical | $150–$391 (average $271) | HomeAdvisor |
| Toilet repair, simple jobs | $60–$200 | Fixr |
National ranges; local labor rates and the part needed move the final price. Sources: HomeAdvisor cost guides (2025), Fixr cost guides (2025).
Ready to book a plumber?
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Step-by-step guides
Toilet Keeps Running or Refilling: Flapper, Fill Valve or Chain
A worn flapper or a fill valve that will not shut off: a ten-minute test tells you which.
Toilet Leaking at the Base: Wax Ring, Flange Bolts, or a Cracked Bowl — and What's Under the Floor (2026)
Water only after flushing: wax ring or a rocking bowl. Water all the time: crack, tank bolts or condensation. Either way, the subfloor under the toilet is where the damage lives.
Toilet repair: common questions
Why does my toilet leak at the base only when I flush?
Flushing sends water past a wax ring that no longer seals, usually because the bowl rocks on loose bolts, a corroded flange or an uneven floor. The fix is pulling the toilet and resetting it on a new ring.
Is a running toilet worth calling a plumber for?
A flapper or fill valve is a simple part, but a toilet that runs all day can waste a lot of water. If a new flapper does not stop it, the flush valve or fill valve needs replacing.
Can I keep using a toilet that rocks?
A rocking toilet breaks the wax seal a little more each time, and the leak goes into the subfloor where you cannot see it. Have it reset soon.
Other plumbing services
(888) 217-6781 is the plumbing line. HearthDry is a referral service; the company you reach is independent.