10
Toilets
Toilets are one of the most frequently used
fixtures in the home, and their parts and
surfaces require care.
Made of clay with a smooth, glazed surface,
toilets are durable but improper cleaning
or use can damage or scratch them. The
various components in the tank must also be
monitored and, if necessary, replaced.
Care and maintenance
The following are tips for maintaining your
home’s toilets.
Cleaning the toilet bowl
Clean the toilet bowl with only a cleaner
designed specifically for toilet bowls. Follow
instructions on the cleaning solution and don’t
mix it with other cleaning products.
Avoid using bluing pellets, chlorine tablets, or
suspended chlorine cleaning bars in the toilet
tank. Doing so may cause the rubber in the
toilet tank to deteriorate.
Protecting the finish
Use toilet cleaners only inside the toilet bowl.
Don’t clean the outside of the toilet with a
strong abrasive, as it may scratch the finish.
Don’t clean inside the toilet tank. Doing so
may damage the parts.
Avoid pouring hot water in the toilet bowl
or tank.
Preventing clogs
Clean the holes beneath the toilet rim regularly,
as clogs that begin there can cause the toilet
to malfunction.
Flush only what’s meant to be flushed. That
means no items like diapers, facial tissues, hair,
garbage, or lint, which may cause clogs in the
toilet or sewer lines.
Adjusting the tank’s water level
There’s a screw on top of the water control
that controls the water level. Locate the screw.
Turn it clockwise to lower the water level,
counterclockwise to raise the water level.
A line on the back of the tank marks the
proper water level.
