While your first instinct might be to call a plumber any time you have a toilet problem, that may not always be necessary. Learn how simple it can be to tackle several common toilet problems on your own.  The Home Depot's Joe Autry and Scott Krueger have a few tricks that could save you some money.

TOILET REPAIR SOLUTIONS

Problem:                                                      Solution

Need to jiggle the handle to stop running   Replace flapper

Need to hold handle down to flush              Replace flapper

Running on and off                                       Replace fill valve and flapper

Noisy                                                            Replace fill valve and flapper

Slow filling tank                                            Replace fill valve and flapper

Toilet flushes twice                                      Adjust/replace flush lever chain or replace flush valve

Not enough water in bowl                           Replace fill valve or ballcock

Will not flush properly                                 Quickly add 3 gallons of water to the bowl with a bucket.

Jets need to be cleaned out.                       If it does not flush, the trap needs to be unclogged

Wobbly tank                                                Replace flush valve and gasket

Leak between tank and bowl                      Replace flush valve and gasket

Leak at base of toilet bowl                         Wax ring

Things to consider:

If your toilet was made before 1992, a universal flapper will most likely solve the problem. For toilets made after 1992, use an ad-justable flapper or a tower seal. Premium flappers are chemical resistant and last longer

If the flush lever chain isn't adjusted properly the flapper may not close all the way. If the chain is corroded, it should be re-placed

If a new flapper won't seat properly, you probably need to pur-chase a new flush valve

Replace an old fill valve or ballcock with a new pilot style fill valve to ensure proper refill of the bowl

Scrape around the rim with a wire hanger to clean jets

Use a plunger or toilet auger to unclog a toilet trap

A clogged toilet is one of the most common household plumbing problems. If your toilet overflows or flushes poorly, try clearing it with a plunger. A plunger uses air to force clogs out of drains, so it's easy to use and doesn't damage pipes. If you use a hand snake or a closet snake - one made specifically for use inside toilets - take care that you don't bang the porcelain sides of the bowl. Porcelain is tough - up to a point. You wouldn't want to crack your toilet and end up replacing the whole thing.

Most clogs clear with a plunger in a few minutes. It takes about half an hour to snake a drain.

Step One

Clearing a toilet with a plunger: Place the plunger over the hole in the toilet. Plunge up and down rapidly, keeping the plunger under water and lifting it only an inch or so on every upstroke. Keep doing this for a minute or two. If it doesn't clear, use a closet snake.

Step Two

Clearing a toilet with a closet snake: Feed the end of the cable into the toilet, taking care not to scratch the bowl. Crank the handle clockwise to snag the obstruction. Continue cranking while pulling the obstruction out.