Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing? 

Why Is My Toilet Not Flushing? 

  • Plumbing
toilet

Of all the things that can go wrong with your plumbing in Chelmsford, one of the most frustrating is a toilet that does not flush properly. Problems with flushing range from not flushing at all to continuous “running” after the flush. Here at Milltown, we want to break down the common culprits when it comes to an improperly flushing toilet. 

Not Flushing At All

If nothing happens when you press down the flusher, there are two common problems that may be happening inside your toilet. The first is that the tank may not have enough water in it. Without enough water, the tank will not flush. The valve for this is usually just behind your toilet, so ensure that it is open and the float inside the tank is unobstructed. The second most common problem with no flush at all is the chain connecting the flapper is loose or disconnected. If the chain is too loose, it will not activate the flush. Open the tank and ensure there is tension between the chain and your flusher. 

Bowl Does Not Empty

When you press the flusher, it should lift the flapper in your tank allowing water to rush quickly into the bowl for a smooth flush. When your toilet bowl does not empty all the way, this can be a sign of a couple different issues. One may be that the pipes are clogged. This can be solved by plunging it yourself or snaking the pipes by a professional. If you have snaked and plunged your toilet and are still experiencing slow flushes, it can be the chain. If the chain is too loose, it may be lifting the flapper slowly. This slow release does not give the water the momentum it needs to flush the bowl quickly. 

Continuous Flushing

Perhaps the most annoying problem of all is when the toilet continuously “runs” after you’ve flushed it. That running water sound is not only annoying, but it’s also wasting water. When the flapper lifts to let the water into the bowl, it should seal tightly over the drain once the flush is complete. If the flapper is bent or warped, it will not seal properly which allows a slow stream of water to trickle into the bowl. That is the culprit for the running water noises. The flapper should be replaced if you hear that noise for extended periods of time after each flush.

If you find that your toilet is not flushing properly and these common culprits are not the solution, then you should call Milltown. Our trained plumbers are prepared for any issues and are ready to help you and your family. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your service checkup to see if you need plumbing repair or replacement!

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By Milltown Plumbing

6 Benefits of Getting an AC Tune-Up in Massachusetts

6 Benefits of Getting an AC Tune-Up in Massachusetts

  • Air Conditioning
  • Maintenance
AC Tune-Up in Massachusetts by MillTown

There are still two full months of summer left! Your AC may be on, but is it ready to tackle the summer heat August and September bring?  The people at MillTown suggest that you get an AC tune-up in Massachusetts to make sure it runs well. Here are six reasons you should give it some maintenance now before it’s too late!

Benefits of an AC tune-up in Massachusetts

  1. Lower electricity bills. Summers are hot- there’s no way around it. It’s likely that you’ll want to be running your AC most days, but that can create a steep increase in electrical bills. A system with clogged filters and failing parts will need to work harder to do the same work. By tuning up your AC now, you’re increasing its efficiency and lowering your utility bills.
  2. More comfort. What would you call an AC that can’t keep you cool? A bad one. Summers can be tough even for modern systems. Because of this, if you want to keep it running at a constant cool, you’ll want our professionals at Milltown to make sure your AC is running at top performance.
  3. Fewer breakdowns. If you use your AC system this summer, are you certain that it won’t fail to start up? Do you know for sure that it’ll run smoothly all season? If you’re not sure, give us a call! Our tune-ups come with a complete inspection that can identify problems before they cause a breakdown.
  4. Cheaper repair bills. In the event that your AC winds up needing repairs, they’ll likely be cheaper if you’ve gotten maintenance beforehand. The reason for that is because our maintenance addresses the more costly problems (like air flow issues and broken parts) during our inspections.
  5. Extended AC lifespan. If you want your AC system to stay operational for a long time, you’ll want to give it regular maintenance. By routinely checking on your AC and preventing breakdowns, we can help extend your AC’s lifespan by years. Without regular maintenance, the average AC only lasts a few years.
  6. Better air quality. During the months where you never use your AC, various bits of dust and grime build up in it. When you turn it on, all that nasty junk is going to go into the air, which can hurt your air quality and aggravate those summer allergies. When you call Milltown to give your AC a tune-up, we’ll clean it out, ensuring that your home’s air stays fresh.

Why is MillTown the best choice for getting an AC tune-up in Massachusetts?

Since 1979, MillTown has provided for homeowners in Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. We’re committed to providing our customers 100% satisfaction as we perform high-quality, same day service. Our certified experts and devotion to high-quality performance are the reasons we’re a trusted name in the areas we cover. Make sure you’ll be feeling cool this summer and call MillTown for an AC tune-up today!

By Milltown Plumbing

Five Signs You Need Drain or Sewer Repair

Five Signs You Need Drain or Sewer Repair

  • Plumbing
leak detection

Your plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. Every day, we use our drain and sewer system countless times. Because a majority of your system is located underground or in hard to reach places, it can be hard to tell when there’s an issue. Keep an eye out for the following warning signs in your home, as they can signal your need for drain or sewer repair:

  1. Unpleasant odors. If you can smell something strange in or around your home or outdoors, you may have sewage leaking somewhere. In other cases, your drains themselves may smell funny. Either way, it’s best to have a MillTown professional locate the source of the issue before it has a change to worsen.
  2. Slow drainage or backups. Sinks, tubs, shower and toilets should drain with ease. If they are backing up, it could be a sign that you need sewer repair. Tree roots, ground shifts, or pipe damage can cause blockages and clogs to form in your plumbing system. This is different from a normal clog because it may mean that the actual pipe is damaged and will need to be repaired or replaced.
  3. Pooling water. Whether it’s indoors or in your yard, there typically shouldn’t be pooling water in places that aren’t prone to it. This can mean that you have a sewer or pipe leak somewhere close to the surface. Don’t wait too long to call a professional, as this can cause things to worsen.
  4. Bugs and rodents. Critters and creepy crawlies, to put it simply, love sewage. Bugs live off of, and rodents feed off of them. If you notice an infestation happening on your property, your drain and sewer system may be to blame.
  5. Lush patches of yard. If you notice that certain areas of your yard are especially green and lush, it could mean that they are stealing “fertilizer” from your plumbing system.

How MillTown Can Help

If you notice any of these signs, give MillTown Plumbing a call to schedule your service. Our professional plumbers have almost 40 years of experience providing top-rated drain services to homeowners in the greater Lowell area. From new drain installation to pipe repair and from sewer line cleaning to mainline repair, we have the expertise and experience to do it quickly and cost-effectively. Our drain services include:

  • Sewer main line cleaning
  • Clogged Drains
  • Leak detection
  • Sewer camera inspection
  • Mainline excavation & repair

For drain and sewer repair, call MillTown today! 

By Milltown Plumbing