One of the most common calls we get when it comes to plumbing repairs is in regards to a toilet that won’t stop running. It’s annoying to listen to, first off. But also, it’s going to end up costing you significantly in excess water that you aren’t even using. Soon enough this will reflect on your monthly water bill.
Plus if you have a running toilet, it means you have a toilet you can’t flush! Don’t just use the other toilet in your home for now and put off repairs, call us right away so we can determine what’s going on and fix it for you. In the meantime, we’ve shared some insight below as to what might be going on with your toilet.
The Refill Tube Is Malfunctioning
The refill tube of your toilet is the part that replenishes the water in the tank when you flush the toilet. The top of this tube should always be above the water level. If it isn’t, however, you might hear intermittent running.
There’s a Float Ball Problem
The float ball is small, and it’s a component that sinks down when the tank empties with each flush, opening up the inlet valve on the fill tube. When the tank is filling, the float ball rises, which closes the valve and stops the filling process.
If the float ball is misaligned or malfunctioning in any way, it might not allow the valve to close completely and the water will continue to run.
The Flush Valve Chain Is Too Short (Or Too Long)
This chain is responsible for pulling open the flush valve, allowing fresh water into the tank as used water is flushed out. If this chain is too long or too short, it might interfere with the ability of the flush valve to properly close.
Flapper Issues
The flapper is another name for the flush valve, and this component needs to seal completely after each flush to keep water from leaking. This part in your toilet ages, and it can get to the point that it malfunctions before any other part of your toilet experiences a problem.
It can also develop mineral deposits and wear down as a result, preventing it from properly sealing. The good news is, this and the above mentioned components are relatively easy to replace.
Worn Out Gasket
Your toilet’s gasket is the seal between the tank and the bowl. If it’s worn out, then it will allow water to run into your bowl from the tank. This is another component that can wear out over time, long before the toilet itself needs replacement. Therefore, it’s typically economically reasonable to replace the component itself.
If this isn’t the first time you’ve made a repair to your toilet, however, and it’s frequently experiencing problems, it may be time to start considering a toilet replacement. But remember, a plumbing installation doesn’t make for a good DIY-project. Your toilet must be properly sized for your bathroom, and sealed correctly so it doesn’t experience any problems or cause you to lose water.
For reliable toilet repair in St. Louis, MO, contact Performance Plumbing today.