The easiest way to unclog your toilet is with a plunger, but if you don’t have one on hand, fill the toilet with dish soap or laundry detergent, add a pot of boiling water and then wait a few minutes before flushing. The hot water should break through the clog as the soap washes everything through the siphon and out of the drain.

Look online for comparisons on flush ratings, as well as available rebates on high–efficiency models. Consider features such as pressure assists and heightened thrones when choosing a toilet.

A running toilet is usually caused by a flapper, the rubber or plastic valve on the bottom of your tank, that fails to seal. Open the toilet tank and adjust the float arm to see if the water stops an inch below the overflow pipe. If the water doesn’t continue to fill, the flapper needs replaced.