No, your toilet isn’t physically running. This blog is not about to discuss whether or not your toilet has legs, but we are going to discuss the type of running that we are all familiar with when it comes to bathrooms.
A toilet is a system of valves, plugs, and water tanks, that allows stored up water to “flush” waste down the drain into the septic tank or sewer system. When one of these valves or plugs misbehaves, the water can just drain right out of your toilet’s tank into the sewer without serving its function. Not only is this extremely obnoxious (not having a functioning toilet is a nightmare), but it’s incredibly wasteful. One single day of a running toilet while you wait for a plumber can waste hundreds of gallons of water.
While we’d always recommend you call a plumber in Port St. Lucie, FL there are still some things you can try to do on your own to mitigate the damage.
Dealing with a Running Toilet
We know how obnoxious a running toilet can be, especially when they happen at an inconvenient time. That’s why it’s important to call a professional technician. Make sure you start by turning off the water. Don’t risk leaking more water or making the issue worse!Addressing the Flapper
The flapper is a rubber seal that stops water from draining from the tank into the toilet bowl. This is what allows a large amount of water to powerfully send waste into the drainage system. With the flapper malfunctioning, water will slowly drain from your tank and keep “running.” This is easily the most common reason behind a running toilet. Remove the lid of your toilet and check the mechanisms in the tank. When you pull the flusher, does the chain pull the flapper and unplug the drain successfully? If you notice water leaking through to the toilet bowl with the hole plugged, you’ve got a bad flapper and it needs to be replaced. Luckily for you, this is an extremely inexpensive fix. Sometimes a dirty flapper will be unable to create a seal and will contribute to your running toilet—even if it looks fine. It’s generally a good idea to perform some DIY maintenance by using a small brush (even a toothbrush works) and some vinegar. Letting it soak can sometimes help as well. After this, your flapper should seal correctly.Check the Water Level
If your flapper system is working fine but your toilet is still running, it could be the water level. When the water level is too high, you’ll have a constant supply of water run out of the overflow tube. If you notice that there’s water constantly draining through a tube, you’ve got an issue with your water level. If you’ve got a floater (rubber balloon of some sort), adjust it so that the water level is lower and the toilet stops running. Does all of this sound complicated? It doesn’t have to be when you call a professional plumber to come take a look.Give us a call today! At Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC, you can count on nice people and super service. Call our super-friendly team today!
