How do I fix my toilet?

We recently had a bathroom remodeled, but now the toilet bowl is filling up with boiling water. Do you think the plumber did something wrong? Is it okay to just leave the toilet as is?

  11 answers
  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Feb 09, 2019

    Sounds like your toilet is linked to a line directly from your hot water heater. This is wrong for several reasons. You could get a serious burn from that hot water, it wastes the energy used to heat water, and the hot water is going to melt your wax ring at the base of the toilet and could cause a leak to a flood. Either get him back to fix it or hire someone who can. If you experience problems they are liable for it, whether or not they are licensed and insured.

    Best to you.

  • Zard Pocleeb Zard Pocleeb on Feb 09, 2019

    Sounds like the plumber connected the hot water to the toilet instead of the cold. It should be switched to cold water. Leaving it hooked to the hot water might damage the seals if they are true rubber. Even if they are neoprene they could be damaged. I would get the plumber back to have him fix his mistake.

  • Anon Anon on Feb 09, 2019

    yes he did something wrong.. instead of hooking up the toilet to the cold water, he hooked it up to the hot water run. Either call him back to fix it, or call someone else to fix it

  • Anon Anon on Feb 09, 2019

    Do not leave it hooked up to the hot water as it will make your electric bill escalate and is not really good for the toilet either.. it can take a toll on the plastic parts in the tank.

  • Screen Name Unknown Screen Name Unknown on Feb 09, 2019

    Thanks!


    I now have water leaking from the second floor toilet into the first floor master bathroom.


    I presume the plumber is redondible for fixing the waterline to the toilet, but who’s responsible for the cleanup and damaged floors and ceiling?


    help!

    • See 1 previous
    • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 09, 2019

      You need to call your homeowners insurance so they can go after plumber he'll have to pay deductibles and maybe more & your insurance will help get good contractors to fix what ever is needed. Sounds like a nightmare

  • Fong-Lie Bavelaar Fong-Lie Bavelaar on Feb 09, 2019

    Big mistake from the plumber, call him and let him correct his mistake

  • Pat Rios Pat Rios on Feb 09, 2019

    This article may have the answer to your question. If this is true and there is a leak, your plumber should probably fix it at no additional cost, since probably something went wrong on the installation. https://www.hunker.com/13408077/why-is-the-water-in-my-toilet-tank-hot

  • Lynn Sorrell Lynn Sorrell on Feb 09, 2019

    Here's some good info. I found to check it Is the water in the tank, actually warm or hot. Warm is a classic sign of anti-sweat fixture being installed. I would recommend you do a follow up inspection on this situation. Things to check for: 1. Shut off the main hot water supply. Flush the toilet. If it fills with cold water only, then this would be a strong indicator that there is a anti-sweat valve present. If it doesn't fill then the toilet is more than likely hooked up to the hot water supply line, especially if you turn the hot water back on and it fills (then, I would recommend to the client that the discrepancy be reviewed by a qualified contractor/plumber). 2. If you can, follow the water supply line to the toilet to determine its source. 3. Is there a anti-sweat valve installed. They are known to go bad. If the toilet is filling with Hot water (make sure you run the hot water in a nearby fixture, i.e. tub or sink first to ensure that the water is good and hot coming up to the bathroom, flush the toilet a couple of times and observe the water temperature coming in, being careful not to burn your hands). If the water entering the tank is very hot, try adjusting the anti-sweat valve. If adjustment is not successful more than likely a new anti-sweat valve is needed. Sometimes a good cleaning of the anti-sweat valve system (i.e. particle build up from solder, hard water, etc. ), may be the only thing required. In this instance you should recommend that a qualified contractor/plumber be consulted. Doing these things may be beyond the scope of a Home Inspector, especially if the plumbing is within the walls/floors. Anti-sweat or mixing valves are normally in sight. Occassionally the plumber/contractor will put them in a wall with an access panel.John Bowman Bowman Contracting - Home Inspections. WOW...Could be he hooked up toilet to hot water line instead of cold, he should come back & fix it for free but do you want him too?  probably needs to open wall

  • Screen Name Unknown Screen Name Unknown on Feb 09, 2019

    He said it was a faulty valve, fixed it, but said he’s not responsible for the cost of repairs and water damage. Hiring an attorney would be too costly; filing an insurance claim will increase my payments or I could be dropped at renewal for filing a claim. I guess I’m eating this one.

    • See 1 previous
    • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Feb 12, 2019

      Your insurance company won't raise your rates for the plumber's error but they could go after him to collect their money. You could also take him to Small Claims Court if you're worried that your insurance company will do something illegal. Take pictures of all of the damage it caused and write up everything in detail before you go. Let the judge know that he took the defective part with him so you don't have it to show. It would definitely be a good idea to report this to the licensing bureau to prevent this from happening to someone else. One more thing you can do is to write a review on yelp.com outlining your experience. A lot of people check online for reviews before hiring someone so you can help them make a better choice.

  • Screen Name Unknown Screen Name Unknown on Feb 09, 2019

    Oh, it was something called a mixing valve that was defective. He took the old part with him.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jun 16, 2019

    'Just wondering if you and the plumber both signed a written contract for the job before any work commenced?

    If not, then unfortunately you will not have any grounds to take him to small claims court, as there was no contractual agreement.