What should I consider when choosing a toilet for my home?

When selecting a toilet, consider water efficiency, size, design, and budget. Water-efficient models can significantly reduce utility bills over time. The space available in your bathroom will determine the toilet's dimensions, and a design that complements your bathroom décor adds aesthetic value. Our plumbers can help you choose between conventional toilets (approx. 6 gallons per flush) and low-flush models (approx. 1.6 gallons per flush), as well as modern options with dual-flush systems, smart features, and built-in bidets.

How do I know when it's time to replace my toilet?

Signs that your toilet needs replacing include frequent clogs, cracks in the porcelain, persistent leaks, and excessive age. While some issues can be repaired, older toilets often benefit from complete replacements for improved functionality and water conservation. New models offer enhanced features and often better performance.

Can I install a toilet myself, or should I hire a plumber?

While installing a toilet might seem straightforward, hiring a licensed plumber ensures the job meets all local regulations and minimizes risks of improper installation. This ensures safety, long-term reliability, and efficiency of the fixture. Professionals provide peace of mind and can save money on potential repairs.

What types of maintenance can help keep my toilet in good condition?

Regular inspections and maintenance checks help identify minor issues before they escalate. A professional can detect underlying problems such as faulty flappers, worn-out fill valves, or sediment buildup that could compromise efficiency. Replacing outdated components with high-quality parts ensures longevity and reliability.

Does Cregger repair and install toilets for both homes and businesses?

Yes. Cregger Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical provides toilet installation, repair, and maintenance for both residential and commercial properties. Our plumbers are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. We offer financing options and 24/7 availability for emergency repairs. Call (248) 543-1190 to schedule service.

Toilet Repair & Installation Detroit | Same-Day

Professional Toilet plumber

From a running toilet that’s silently inflating your water bill to a cracked bowl that needs immediate replacement, Cregger Plumbing, Heating & Cooling handles every toilet problem for homes and businesses across Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Oakland County. As a third-generation, locally operated company, we provide same-day service, upfront pricing, and licensed technicians who get the job done right the first time.

Whether it’s a quick repair or a full toilet installation, our fixture services team has the experience and inventory to handle any residential or commercial plumbing job.

Common Toilet Problems We Fix

Toilets are one of the hardest-working fixtures in your home, and they eventually develop issues. Here are the most common problems our technicians diagnose and repair daily in Detroit-area homes:

Running Toilet

A running toilet is one of the most common—and most wasteful—plumbing problems homeowners face. A toilet that runs continuously can waste a significant amount of water and may indicate an issue with one of the internal components. The most common causes include a worn flapper valve that no longer seals properly, a faulty fill valve that doesn’t shut off correctly, or a float that’s set too high, causing water to continuously flow into the overflow tube.

Our technicians diagnose the exact cause of the problem and can often resolve running toilet issues during the same visit. In many cases, replacing a worn flapper, repairing the fill valve, or adjusting the float is all that’s needed to restore proper operation and stop unnecessary water waste.

Toilet Clogs & Slow Flushing

Occasional clogs happen, but if your toilet clogs frequently or doesn’t flush completely, there may be a deeper issue. Mineral buildup in the rim jets, a partially blocked trap, or problems further down in the drain line can all cause chronic flushing problems. If plunging doesn’t resolve it, don’t force the issue—call a professional before you risk a sewage backup.

Leaking Toilet Base

Water pooling around the base of your toilet usually means the wax ring seal between the toilet and the floor flange has failed. This isn’t just a nuisance—it can lead to subfloor rot, mold growth, and costly structural damage. Our plumbers remove the toilet, replace the wax ring (or upgrade to a modern rubber gasket), inspect the flange, and reseat the toilet. If the flange is corroded or broken, we’ll repair or replace it. This is especially common in older Ferndale and Royal Oak homes with cast iron flanges.

Weak or Incomplete Flush

If your toilet doesn’t clear the bowl in a single flush, the issue could be low water level in the tank, clogged rim jets, or a flapper that closes too quickly. Older toilets (especially first-generation low-flow models from the 1990s) are notorious for weak flushes. In some cases, a new toilet with modern flushing technology is more cost-effective than repeated repairs.

Ghost Flushing

If your toilet randomly refills on its own without being flushed, you have what plumbers call a “phantom flush.” This means water is slowly leaking from the tank into the bowl, typically caused by a deteriorated flapper. It’s an easy fix but shouldn’t be ignored—it wastes water and can signal other tank component wear.

Cracked Tank or Bowl

Visible cracks in the porcelain tank or bowl require immediate attention. Even hairline cracks can worsen suddenly, causing a catastrophic leak that floods your bathroom. A cracked toilet cannot be reliably repaired—it needs to be replaced.

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Toilet Installation Cost in Detroit

Installing a new toilet is an excellent way to improve comfort, efficiency, and reliability in your bathroom. Modern high-efficiency and smart toilets offer features such as dual-flush technology, bidet functionality, and touchless flushing, helping homeowners reduce water usage while enhancing convenience. Professional installation ensures proper operation, leak prevention, and long-term performance.

Factors that influence installation cost include the type of toilet (standard gravity-flush, pressure-assisted, wall-mounted), whether the existing flange and supply lines need repair, bathroom accessibility (tight spaces, second-floor bathrooms), and whether you’re upgrading from a standard to a comfort-height model, which may require minor adjustments.

We provide a detailed, written estimate before any work begins. No surprises, no hidden fees. Request a free quote →
When to Repair vs. Replace Your Toilet
Making the right call between repair and replacement can save you hundreds of dollars. Here’s our honest guidance based on thousands of toilet service calls across Metro Detroit:

Repair makes sense when:
- The toilet is less than 10–15 years old and in good structural condition
- The issue is often caused by a worn flapper, faulty fill valve, or loose handle—common components that can prevent a toilet from functioning properly and lead to continuous running.
- You’ve only needed one or two repairs in the past year
- The toilet flushes effectively and doesn’t use excessive water
Replacement makes sense when:
- The toilet is 20+ years old (especially pre-2000 models that use 3.5–6 gallons per flush)
- You’re spending more than $300/year on repeated repairs
- The porcelain is cracked, chipped, or discolored beyond cleaning
- You want to upgrade to a water-efficient model (1.28 GPF) to reduce your water bill
- The toilet wobbles, rocks, or has a damaged flange
Our plumbers will always provide an honest assessment of the situation. If a repair is the best long-term solution, we’ll recommend it. If replacement is the better option, we’ll explain why. Our goal is to help homeowners make informed decisions based on what their plumbing system actually needs.
Running Toilet Repair: A Closer Look

Because running toilets are so common—and so costly when ignored—let’s break down exactly what’s happening inside the tank and how we fix it.

The flapper valve sits at the bottom of the tank and creates a seal. When you flush, it lifts to release water into the bowl, then drops back down to seal. Over time, the rubber deteriorates, warps, or collects mineral deposits, preventing a proper seal. Water continuously leaks from the tank into the bowl, and the fill valve keeps running to compensate.

The fill valve controls the water supply entering the tank after a flush. A faulty fill valve may not shut off properly, causing the tank to overfill and drain through the overflow tube.

The float mechanism tells the fill valve when to stop. If the float is set too high or is waterlogged, the tank overfills.

Our repair process is straightforward: we diagnose which component has failed, replace it with a high-quality part, and test the toilet through multiple flush cycles to confirm the repair holds. Most running toilet repairs are completed in 30–60 minutes.
Why Choose Cregger for Toilet Services in Detroit & Oakland County
- Third-generation, locally operated: We’ve been serving Metro Detroit since 1985. We’re your neighbors, not a faceless franchise.
- Licensed & insured: Master Plumber licenses #81-10282 and #81-08949. Full liability coverage on every job.
- Same-day service: Toilet problems don’t wait, and neither do we. Call before noon for same-day dispatch in most of Oakland County.
- Upfront pricing: We quote the price before we start. No hourly surprises.
- Satisfaction guaranteed: Read what our customers say—view reviews.
We serve Ferndale, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Troy, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Grosse Pointe, Farmington, and surrounding areas.

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What Our Customers Say

kevin kosanovich

21 days ago

Great work! Cregger is a great company to use, and Josh is an excellent technician. Recommend them both!

Tamika Sanders

21 days ago

Leo was very good at what he does, he introduced himself, checked out theral & I would recommend to others for business

Michael Hesano

21 days ago

David was a pleasure to work with. He’s was professional, knowledgeable, and polite. He went out of his way to help me figure out a few items that didn’t relate to the matter he met me on site for. Definitely recommend.

Steve C.

25 days ago

Kody and Matt did professional work, repiping my entire home from meter to every fixture, replacing galvanized with copper. They also installed a hot water heater and a whole house back flushing filter system. All done in just under 2 days. All work done strictly to code but mostly above. Kody gave me the initial quote which gave me several options to choose from. He was always quick to update the quote as I made changes throughout the process. All the work that was to be done was in writing. I would highly recommend Cregger Plumbing to handle any plumbing task small to complex, to do it right the first time.

Heather Carmona

26 days ago

Patrick was very efficient and communicated well regarding status of our boiler

Alex Baylerian

28 days ago

Desmon is awesome! Very knowable, friendly, and helpful

Angela Nichols

1 month ago

Timely, informative and customer-focused.

Bridget O'Brien

1 month ago

Brian was excellent. Timely, courteous , knowledgeable and efficient. He explained the situation and his Plan. Was able to fix My plumbing problem quickly. Highly recommend

Brenda Gayle

1 month ago

Nico, Peyton and Mike came out and did an amazing job with my install. They were right on time and three worked together seamlessly. I never saw them standing around. They were very courteous and definitely knew their job. They explained things in a way that was easy to understand and asked many times if I had any questions. Both the air unit and furnace look great. They cleaned up after themselves and left nothing behind. Kudos to those three on the amazing job they did. Would definitely recommend them!!

Cristobal Varas

1 month ago

Josh, from Cregger, came to inspect my water heater. He was very professional, gave me different options and gave me an estimate for me to decide what to do next. No pressure and very much confirmed what I was thinking. With my annual service program, there was no charge for the visit

kevin Bentley

1 month ago

Great work! Also very timely in coordinating with the city for water shut off and then back on. Thank you!!

Faith Frederick

1 month ago

Tim was courteous, friendly and very informative. He knows his profession.

Szymon S.

1 month ago

David did exceptional work cleaning out the sewer pipes. He made multiple passes to ensure all roots were completely removed, and thoroughly checked his work before finishing. Would highly recommend David for any plumbing work! My condolences to him for enduring my father-in-law as a captive audience.

Marisa C. Olafsson, LMSW, MSc

1 month ago

The plumber was able to easily diagnose the problem, was professional and polite. A plumber that you can trust to correctly diagnose and fix the problem.

Matthew Dewan

1 month ago

Chris Goode did an amazing job. He was punctual, worked hard, and was a total pro. I have used Cregger many times for my boiler maintenance, and will continue to do so. Thanks.

Tom Dolnicek

1 month ago

Tim was nice to work with, friendly and congenial. He explained the problem, identified the solution, and walked through all the steps along the way. He provided good recommendations for follow on cleanup and prevention. I’m very pleased.