Top Toilet Repair & Replacement Contractors in Seattle, Washington Ranked

A functioning toilet is essential for any Seattle home, but issues like persistent clogs, running water, and leaks are common, especially in the city's older housing stock. Professional toilet repair and replacement services address these problems, ensuring your bathroom operates efficiently and preventing minor issues from escalating into costly water damage or plumbing emergencies. This guide will help you understand common toilet troubles, typical solutions, and how to connect with qualified local specialists for your project.

South West Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Electric

825 S Stacy St, Seattle, WA 98134

South West Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Electric provides a range of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services in Seattle, WA. With over 40 years of experience, they offer plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, sewer line repairs including hydro jetting and video camera inspections, as well as heating and air conditioning services. Their certified technicians handle everything from clogged drains and sewer issues to furnace repairs and electrical panel upgrades, serving the Seattle community with skilled and comprehensive solutions.

5.0

859 Reviews

Rooter-Pal Plumbing, LLC

11851 124th Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034

Rooter-Pal Plumbing, LLC is a licensed plumbing company serving Seattle, WA, and nearby Eastside communities including Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond, and Bothell. They provide a wide range of plumbing services such as water heater installation and repair, leak detection, drain cleaning with hydro jetting, sewer line repair including trenchless options, and foundation waterproofing. The company has over 10 years of experience serving residential and commercial properties in the area. Rooter-Pal Plumbing offers 24/7 emergency leak detection and plumbing services to address urgent needs at any time.

5.0

145 Reviews

Empire Drain Co

seattle

Empire Drain Co is a plumbing company based in Kirkland, WA, serving Seattle and the surrounding King County area. Since 2014, they have offered a range of plumbing services including drain cleaning, leak detection, and toilet repair for both residential and commercial clients. The company is equipped to handle emergency plumbing needs with 24/7 availability and employs licensed and insured plumbers. With over 10 years of experience, Empire Drain Co focuses on quality installations and reliable repairs.

5.0

132 Reviews

Ready Rooter

13222 SE 30th St Suite A-1, Bellevue, WA 98005

Ready Rooter is a plumbing and drain specialist serving Seattle, WA, and nearby areas. They offer a wide range of services including drain cleaning, sewer line repair, trenchless sewer repair, sump pump repair, tankless water heater installation, leak detection, repiping, and toilet repair. Their trenchless sewer line repair minimizes disruption while addressing sewer issues. The company is supported by experienced owners and technicians with many years in the industry. Ready Rooter provides 24/7 emergency services to assist customers whenever needed.

4.9

1.6k Reviews

Parker Services Plumbing

4601 Shilshole Ave NW Suite D, Seattle, WA 98107

Parker Services Plumbing is a family-owned plumbing company serving Seattle, WA, since 2003. They provide a wide range of plumbing services for both residential and commercial clients, including water heater repair and installation, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, leak detection, repiping, and garbage disposal repair. The company specializes in sewer repair and replacement using advanced techniques such as trenchless sewer repair. Parker Services Plumbing also offers emergency plumbing services to address urgent issues like burst pipes and clogged drains promptly.

5.0

113 Reviews

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Common Toilet Problems in Seattle Homes

Seattle's mix of historic and modern homes presents a unique set of challenges for toilet fixtures. Understanding the specific symptoms can help you communicate the issue more effectively with a plumbing professional.

Running Toilets: This is one of the most frequent complaints and a major source of water waste. It's often caused by a misaligned, warped, or deteriorated flapper or a faulty fill valve ^{1 2}. The constant sound of water running into the bowl or tank indicates that water is leaking from the tank into the bowl without a flush.

Persistent Clogs: Slow drains or complete backups are more than just an inconvenience; they can signal a blockage in the toilet's internal trap, the drain line, or even the main sewer ^{1 2}. While a plunger might solve a simple clog, recurring issues often require a professional with a drain snake (auger) or hydro-jetting equipment.

Leaks at the Base or Tank: Water pooling around the base of your toilet usually points to a failed wax ring seal, which is crucial for preventing water and sewer gas from escaping ^{1 2}. Leaks from the tank, often from loose bolts or cracked porcelain, can also cause significant water damage over time.

Weak or Incomplete Flush: If your toilet requires multiple flushes, the problem could be low water level in the tank, mineral-clogged rim holes, or a partial clog ¹. This reduces the fixture's efficiency and can be frustrating.

Gurgling Sounds or Sewage Odors: These alarming symptoms typically indicate a venting problem in your home's plumbing system or a break in the sewer trap seal, allowing sewer gas to enter your bathroom ^{1 3}. This is a issue that generally requires immediate professional diagnosis.

A Wobbly Toilet: A toilet that rocks or feels unstable when you sit on it isn't just unsettling-it's a sign that the closet bolts securing it to the floor are loose or that the flange beneath it is damaged ^{1 4}. This can compromise the wax seal and lead to leaks.

Repair vs. Replacement: Making the Right Choice

When faced with a malfunctioning toilet, the decision to repair or replace it depends on the age of the fixture, the nature of the problem, and your long-term goals for water efficiency and style.

When Repair is the Best Option

Repair is typically the most cost-effective route for newer toilets (generally under 10-15 years old) with isolated, fixable issues.

• Component Failure: Problems like a running toilet (flapper/fill valve), a weak flush (adjusted water level), or a leaky tank (gasket) involve replacing inexpensive internal parts made of plastic or rubber ^{1 2}.
• Simple Clogs: A single, stubborn clog that a plunger can't clear can often be resolved by a plumber using a toilet auger ¹.
• Minor Seal Issues: Re-securing a wobbly base by tightening bolts or replacing a worn wax ring are standard repairs ¹.

For these minor fixes, homeowners might spend between $150 and $400 on average, depending on the plumber's hourly rate and the parts required ^{1 5}.

When Replacement is Advisable

There are several scenarios where installing a new toilet is more prudent than attempting repeated repairs.

• Age and Inefficiency: Older toilets, particularly those installed before 1994, can use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush. Replacing them with a modern, WaterSense-labeled model (using 1.28 gallons or less) can save a significant amount on your water bill ².
• Persistent Problems: If you are constantly dealing with clogs, running water, or repairs, it may be more economical in the long run to invest in a new, reliable fixture.
• Physical Damage: Cracks in the porcelain of the tank or bowl are not repairable and pose a risk of sudden failure and flooding ⁴.
• Major Internal Failure: If multiple internal components fail or the flush valve assembly is cracked, the cost of parts and labor can approach that of a new installation.
• Aesthetic or Comfort Upgrades: You may want to update the look of your bathroom, change to an elongated bowl for comfort, or install a chair-height model for accessibility.

A full toilet replacement, including the cost of the new fixture and professional installation, typically ranges from $300 to over $800 in Seattle ^{1 5 6}.

Understanding Costs and What Influences Them

The cost for toilet services in Seattle can vary widely based on the job's complexity, the plumber's expertise, and specific circumstances of your home. Being aware of the key factors can help you budget appropriately.

Labor Rates: Plumbers in Seattle typically charge between $85 and $230+ per hour ^{1 7 8}. Many service calls for toilet repair have a minimum charge, often covering the first hour. Complex jobs or those requiring multiple technicians will naturally incur higher labor costs.

Scope of Work:

• Minor Repairs: Replacing a flapper, fill valve, or handle are generally on the lower end of the cost spectrum, often between $150 and $400 for professional service ^{1 5}.
• Standard Toilet Installation: If you are replacing an old toilet with a new one in the same location, labor costs alone often fall between $175 and $400 ^{1 5}. The total project cost rises when you include the price of the new toilet itself.
• Complex Installations: Moving a toilet to a new location involves extensive plumbing work, including rerouting water supply and drain lines, and will be significantly more expensive. Jobs in older homes with galvanized pipes or difficult access can also increase the time and cost ^{1 5}.

Parts and Materials: The price of the toilet itself is a major variable, with basic models starting around $100 and high-efficiency or designer models costing several hundred dollars. The plumber will also supply necessary ancillary parts like a new wax ring, supply line, and bolts.

Permits: While not always required for a simple like-for-like replacement, any modification to the plumbing rough-in (drain and vent lines) will likely require a permit from the City of Seattle, which adds to the project's cost and timeline ⁵.

Key Components and Materials

Knowing the basic parts of your toilet can demystify the repair process. The main components include:

Internal Tank Parts: These are the most commonly replaced items and are typically made of plastic and rubber.

• Flapper: The rubber seal at the bottom of the tank that releases water into the bowl during a flush.
• Fill Valve: The mechanism that refills the tank with water after a flush.
• Float Ball or Cup: Regulates the water level in the tank by shutting off the fill valve.
• Flush Lever and Chain: The handle and connecting chain that lifts the flapper.

Seals and Hardware:

• Wax Ring: A critical seal made of wax that fits between the toilet base and the drain flange on the floor, preventing leaks and sewer gas escape ^{1 2}.
• Closet Bolts and Caps: Bolts that secure the toilet to the floor flange, with decorative caps to cover them.

Piping and Fixtures:

• Supply Line: The flexible tube that connects the toilet's fill valve to the water shut-off valve on the wall.
• Piping: PVC is standard in modern homes for drain lines, while older Seattle homes may have copper or galvanized steel supply lines ⁵.
• Toilet Fixture: The visible porcelain unit. Modern options include efficient low-flow models, dual-flush toilets, and comfort-height designs.

Signs You Need to Call a Professional

While some minor issues like adjusting a chain or cleaning rim holes can be DIY projects, certain signs indicate it's time to call a licensed plumber:

1. Persistent or Recurring Clogs: If plunging and snaking don't work, or clogs keep coming back, you may have a deeper blockage or venting issue ^{1 4}.
2. Visible Cracks: Any crack in the porcelain of the tank or bowl can lead to sudden failure and flooding ⁴.
3. No Water or Drainage: If the toilet won't fill with water or won't drain at all, there is a significant supply or blockage problem.
4. Sewage Smells or Gurgling: These are signs of sewer gas entering your home or a blocked vent stack, which require professional diagnosis ^{1 3}.
5. A Wobbly Toilet: This often indicates a broken flange beneath the toilet, which is a more complex repair than simply tightening bolts ^{1 4}.
6. Water on the Floor: Any leak from the base or tank that results in standing water needs immediate attention to prevent structural damage and mold.

Frequently asked questions

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