The sight of a puddle of water surrounding the base of your toilet is both inconvenient and annoying, but you shouldn’t have to deal with it for long. With a little time and the right supplies, it’s easy to correct common toilet problems and prevent them from worsening. The following DIY repair projects will help get your toilet back up and running in no time.

Clogged drains are perhaps the most recognizable toilet problem and usually one of the easiest to fix. A plunger is a basic plumbing tool that can remove many clogs by creating suction and loosening the blockage. For more stubborn clogs, try chemical drain cleaners sold at home improvement stores.

If a plunger isn’t sufficient, a plumber can snake the drain to dislodge and clear the clog. However, this can be a messy job and requires removing the toilet, so be prepared to do some cleaning before you proceed with the toilet repair.

Leaking tank: If the leaking is coming from under the toilet, the first thing to try is tightening the bolts that attach the tank to the bowl. This may stop the leak temporarily and is a relatively simple task, but if it doesn’t work, you’ll probably need to replace the tank-to-bowl gasket.

Another simple but effective DIY fix is to use a toilet-sealing kit. The kits are available at most hardware stores and come with instructions that make the job easy. The kits often include a new fill valve and float that fit standard toilets, but you’ll also need replacement gaskets and washers for your specific toilet.

Running toilet: If your toilet constantly runs, the flapper in the tank is probably not seated correctly and is not covering the hole it’s supposed to cover when lifted by the chain. This is an easy fix and a new flapper is inexpensive, but if the chain is tangled or a new flapper won’t stay up, you may need to replace all of the internal tank components.

Dripping or leaking at the base: A wax ring that has worn out, or a silicone seal that was never installed properly, can cause a leak around the bottom of the toilet. You can replace the ring with either an improved or a silicone one. The process is simple, but be careful not to overtighten the nuts. This can crack the porcelain base of the toilet.

Before beginning this repair, turn off the water supply line and flush the toilet to empty the tank. Then, place a container under the water line where it connects to the toilet and carefully disconnect it from the supply. If the tank is still full, drain it by opening the overflow tube and using a sponge to soak up any remaining water in the tank. Finally, remove the plastic caps on the floor bolts, use a wrench to unscrew the bolts, and then wiggle the toilet slightly to loosen it. Once it’s loose enough to lift off, remove the toilet and clean up any remaining water with a sponge and bucket. Never attempt to tackle a major plumbing project that requires the use of gas or a power tool, or any projects that would require a professional handyman services.