Having a problem with your home's plumbing is never a welcome situation. No one wants to deal with backed up pipes, broken garbage disposal, or a leaking toilet. While some plumbing situations require more finesse, if you find that your toilet is constantly running water and you can't figure out why, you can stop worrying.
Fixing a leaking toilet is a relatively simple service, and chances are you don't need to replace the whole toilet. To help you feel more at ease about your leaking toilet situation, the professionals at B&L Plumbing have compiled some information to help you overcome your worry about your leaking toilet. Just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Check The Flapper
Any time your toilet is leaking water into the bowl, the first thing you should look at is the condition of your toilet flapper.
The toilet flapper is responsible for regulating how much water flows into the bowl when your toilet is flushed, but with time the rubber of the flapper can wear thin or break, causing a leak.
The most common type of flapper is a rubber cap. It is usually made of hard plastic, with a rubber ring around the edge. As we said, this ring can begin to wear out or crack over time. Another popular type of flapper is the tank ball.
A hollow rubber ball that sits in the overflow pipe and is lifted by a chain to let water in when the toilet flushes, this flapper's integrity is dependent upon its chain being the perfect length. If the chain is too short, it could cause water to leak into the bowl. This can also be a problem with rubber caps.
Step 2: Why Else Might Your Toilet be Running
If you've checked the toilet flapper and everything seems to be in order, but you still hear a running toilet, there may be a problem with another mechanism in the tank.
Check to make sure that your fill valve doesn't need to be replaced, or at least repaired. The problem may also be with a faulty float in your tank, or with the water level in the tank.
If the water level is too high, water will spill over into the overflow pipe, causing it to run into the bowl.
Step 3: Follow These Toilet Maintenance Tips
The final step to protecting your toilet from leaking or running water is to keep it well taken care of.
Here are three simple ways you can take proper care of your toilet to avoid leaks and other costly toilet issues:
- Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean your toilet. These can damage the glaze on the porcelain and lead to cracks or scratches.
- Inspect and clean your toilet tank, and it's components at least twice a year. Replace any parts that are damaged or old.
- Don’t discard anything other than toilet paper and human waste in your toilet, and avoid flushing large amounts of toilet paper at once.
If you’ve got toilet maintenance tips of your own that you’d like to share, please do so in the comments section below! And the next time you’re having issues with a running or leaking toilet, call us! Our plumbing experts are available at (719) 638-7341 to help you now!