20 Feb Save Water : Fix a Running Toilet | Affordable Plumbing Sacramento
Always Affordable Plumbing Tips | Running Toilet
A Running Toilet Can Be Costing You! Here is How to Fix It!!
Did you know that a basic toilet leak can be costing you $1,000 a year in wasted water??!! Stop putting it off and get that toilet repaired today with these easy plumbing tips!
Stop Putting it Off
There is some basic hardware inside a toilet tank that can be prone to wearing out and breaking. When this happens, you can be wasting a TON of water and money constantly keeping the toilet tank full. Fixing a running toilet is pretty simple, and very affordable. If you have a running toilet, stop putting it off and let’s get it fixed! Below are some simple tips for you, but don’t forget, Always Affordable Plumbing is your Sacramento plumber for affordable, honest repairs!
A basic toilet leak can be costing you $1,000 a year in wasted water!
How to Identify a Running Toilet
This one is easy: do you constantly hear water filling the toilet tank? You should only hear this directly after flushing. It should only take 45 seconds to about 1.5 minutes to fill a tank after flushing. If you hear water still filling after that, or you notice it intermittently filling the tank when there has been no flush, then you have a running toilet.
How to Fix a Running Toilet
Now that you have identified that you have a running toilet, you will need to access the tank. You will have to remove the tank lid. This lid is heavy and delicate, so please be careful, and set it somewhere steady and safe.
1. Test the flapper/stopper ball
The flapper is the rubber stop that plugs the bottom of the tank. When you push the flush handle, it raises the flapper allowing the tank to empty into the toilet. With the tank exposed (lid off), and the water running (even though you have not flushed), you can simply press down on the flapper using a stick. If this stops the water from filling the tank, then you know your flapper needs to be replaced.
2. Inspect the fill tube
If the flapper is not the issue, then you need to check the fill tube. This is a rubber tube that runs from fill valve and INTO the overflow pipe. The end of the fill tube should be ABOVE the water line when the tank is full. If the tube is too long, simply cut off a little bit of the end.
3. Adjust float/water level
If the float is not working, then the tank will fill up with too much water, constantly sending water over the overflow pipe. If the flapper is good, and the fill tube is the right length, then make sure to adjust your float so that the water level is not too high.
A Quick and Easy Fix
Toilet tank replacement parts can be found at any home repair store and usually run less than $20 total. There are some new style fill valves that can replace an old-style float, and are easy to install yourself. We understand that plumbing repairs can be intimidating, but we hope this information has been helpful! If you are not up for doing the repair yourself, you can always call us, anytime, and know that you are getting the most affordable plumbing Sacramento has to offer!
If you need a Sacramento plumber, call AAP. Whether you need a FREE Home Plumbing Inspection, emergency 24-hour plumbing services, a sewer line replaced, or have an issue with a frozen pipe, Always Affordable Plumbing is here for you. Service, quality, and affordability for our customers always comes first. Call today to schedule your appointment!
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Always Affordable Plumbing Sacramento | Running Toilet identification