Get the Best Toilet Repair Services from Plumbers 911
Did you know that a leaky toilet can waste up to 4,000 gallons of water a day? That’s approximately $53 daily, which is around $19,200 a year! Most problems are caused by a leaking flapper or a fill valve that is left open.
Even if you think the leak is small, you are definitely wasting money and water. No matter how small the problem is, it is definitely worth your time and money to pay attention and take the necessary steps to get the issue fixed.
How You Can Detect Common Issues with Your Toilet
We know how frustrating it could be to deal with a leaking toilet. Some are hard to find because the leaks come and go.
If you have a
float ball-style fill valve, sometimes, an increased water pressure during the evening can cause your float ball to open and stay open. This continues until your water pressure decreases, which can also cause a leak while you sleep.
Listen very carefully. Does your toilet continuously make a filling sound? It should only be refilled after a flush. If it doesn’t, then you may have a leak in your
flapper.
Take a look at the sides of your bowl. Can you see water flowing from there? Check if there are rust stains as well. Try to place some food coloring in your tank and wait for about twenty minutes. If the colored water appears in your toilet bowl, you have a leak. The faster the colored water appears, the larger the leak.
Check your water bill usage. Did you notice a significant increase in your consumption? This may also be sign of a leak.
If you suspect a leak, check your water tank. Mark the water level with a pencil. Try flushing the toilet and observe the tank while it refills. You may have a flapper leak if the water rises above the pencil mark. If the water level is below the mark, then your fill valve must be defective.
So, What Causes a Leaking Toilet?
The chain, flapper or trip lever may have lost its alignment that could leave a gap which could cause a leak.
The flapper could be damaged, therefore, the flush valve isn’t sealed properly. This could be caused by in-tank toilet cleaners.
The flush valve can also be damaged due to sediments.
The
fill valve can also be stuck while opened that may cause water to go down the overflow tube. This usually takes place when water pressure changes.
Common Toilet Problems
Partial flush – Your flapper could be dropping to fast. If this happens, install a new one.
Phantom flush – Your tank is simply leaking water because your flapper is not completely sealed.
Drop in bowl water level – There could be a minor clog in your bowl that sucks the water slowly. Other than that, your toilet may have a crack in its piping.
Slow tank fill – Your shut off valve may be partially closed.
Double flusher – Your tank’s water level may be too high.
Sluggish flush – A small blockage could be causing the problem.
Gurgling sounds – If you hear gurgling sounds coming from your tub or sink whenever you flush, it may indicate that there is a clog in your toilet vent pipe.
Clogs – You will notice that the water goes back up and your toilet can’t flush.
Leaky seals – Your tank may have a faulty seal if you notice water coming out from underneath your tank when you flush.
Our Trained Connecticut Plumbers Share Tips to Avoid Common Toilet Issues
Don’t use in-toilet tank chemical cleaners or tablets. Using these can be tempting because of how ‘sanitized’ your toilet smells and looks.
These are made of chlorine liquid to keep your bowl clean. However, these chemicals can eventually wear away other parts in your toilet (like your flapper), eventually causing leaks.
Use a mild cleaner for your toilet and
avoid chemical substances altogether. Baking soda and vinegar are better options instead of chlorine based solutions.
Steer clear of
chemical drain cleaners to unclog your toilet. Aside from being harmful to your pipes and fixtures, they can harm your sin and your health too.
Make sure to inspect your toilet twice a year. Check if the parts of your fixture are all okay and properly functioning. Take a look at your flapper and observe if it correctly sealing and if your fill valve stops at the right water level.
Don’t flush anything down the toilet (aside from human waste). As much as possible, avoid flushing toilet paper too! No sanitary pads, diapers or cigarette butts please. These can cause major clogs in the future.
Teach your kids how to properly care for your toilet. Tell them that toys are not to be flushed down as well.
Fix your running toilet immediately. These are silent leaks that drain your money little by little. Pay attention to this and resolve this as soon as possible.
Have a flange plunger handy. Clogs could be removed with a bucket of hot water and a plunger.
Be aware of the location of your main water shut-off valve. You might need to turn this off in case of a leak.
Recommended Tools by Our CT Plumbers
-Keep a
forced cup plunger and a bucket that could hold around five gallons of water. You can use the bucket to flush your toilet if there’s a clog.
-A snake or auger can also come in handy for those pesky blockages.
-Duct tape can also be a temporary fix. Teflon tape can help seal leaks too.
-Keep some rags or towels to help you clean up any mess.
24/7 Plumbing Experts in Connecticut
Call one of our
Connecticut plumbers if you encounter clogs or an overflowing toilet that you can’t fix.
Remember, our network of technicians are licensed and insured, so they are equipped with the right tools and training to resolve the issue.
They have an extensive line of experience fixing and unclogging toilets for
Connecticut residents. Call us today, our operators are on standby to help you, anytime of the day!
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