Toilet Repair in Redlands, CA

Is Redlands water hard enough to affect a toilet?

It plays a part. The City of Redlands Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department draws on surface water from the Santa Ana River and Mill Creek watersheds and on Bunker Hill Basin groundwater, which covers about half of normal demand, with State Water Project water added at peak times. The City's 2022 report listed groundwater hardness averaging 152 mg/L (100 to 200 mg/L) and treated surface water averaging 135 mg/L. Water like that leaves deposits on fill valve seals and flapper seats over the years, and in the small rim holes that rinse the bowl. A tank that cycles on its own is often a scaled part that needs replacing.

What should I do when the toilet keeps clogging?

First, look at what is being flushed. Wipes, paper towels and hygiene products cause most repeat clogs. If those are ruled out, the trap may have something lodged in it, or the toilet may simply be a model that struggles. Older toilets with narrow trapways clog more often than current designs. If several fixtures are slow, the issue is farther down the drain, and a plumber may suggest running a camera through the line. The plumber can also tell you whether replacing the toilet is the better value.

Do I need to call the City for anything?

For the toilet itself, no; it is private plumbing. If you want a new toilet and a permit applies, the City of Redlands Building & Safety Division's One Stop Permit Center at 35 Cajon Street issues plumbing permits and can be reached at 909-798-7536, with an online portal for starting applications. For water service questions, the City's customer service line is (909) 798-7516. The City also reports that it has no lead or galvanized service lines needing replacement in its distribution system.

Older Redlands neighborhoods can have flanges and drain fittings that have outlived several toilets, so a base leak there may mean more than a new seal.

A local note

Redlands sits at the east end of the valley, near the foothills, where winter nights can bring frost. A toilet supply line along an exterior wall or in an unheated space is worth insulating.