Is your toilet running?
Better catch it!
Ba dum tss!
Okay, okay, now that we’ve got that dad joke out of our system, it’s time to talk about running toilets. You know, the kind that continue to make a sound long after you’ve flushed it.
Running toilets are one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. But you don’t have to deal with them forever. Here are some suggestions we at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling have created to help fix your running toilet.
Check the Flapper
In a normal working toilet, pushing the toilet lever down will cause the flapper to lift so that clean water can fill the toilet blow. Once the flapper returns, it creates a seal, preventing more water from entering the bowl. With wear and tear however, the flapper may lose its integrity and cause water to seep through. An improperly sized flapper can also let water through, resulting in constant running.
Check the Flapper Chain
If you’ve determined the flapper isn’t the cause of your running toilet, the flapper chain may be the culprit. The flapper chain has one end attached to the flapper and another attached to the handle arm and it must be appropriately sized. If the chain is too short the flapper cannot form a seal and if the chain is too long, the flapper cannot open and shut properly. It may even block the flapper from sealing. A professional plumber can measure your toilet and ensure your flapper chain is the proper length.
Check the Toilet Handle
If the first two components are working just fine, you could be dealing with a damaged toilet handle. Toilet handles are used pretty frequently so over time they may wear down, corrode, or even stay in the down position, causing the toilet to run continuously.
Is Your Toilet Running?
Running toilets are not just a nuisance. They can cause gallons of wasted water and high energy bills. Save your money and conserve your water by contacting the professionals at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. From running toilets to whole home repiping, our team can diagnose and repair any plumbing problem.
