Leaking Toilets – What you need to know

One of the most annoying things that any homeowner can deal with is a trickling toilet.  A dripping Toilet means water everywhere and a much bigger water bill.  This is because a toilet leak can waste anywhere from fifty to one hundred gallons of water each day.  The reality is that in many cases a trickling toilet could be a DIY project that won’t only keep you from paying any unnecessary plumbing bills, but help you in saving you money on your water bill also. 

There are 2 main causes for a trickling toilet.  The 1st cause can involve water spilling into the overflow tube.  The only way to determine if this is by removing the lid of the can tank and checking the water level in relation to the overflow tube, located in the center of the tank.  If the water is less than a 0.5 inch from the top of the tube, then it’s likely this is the problem.  The second reason for a leaking Toilet is a worn flapper.  The flapper, or flush valve, can wear after one or two years, making it difficult for the water to shut off.  A great trick to determine this is to drop about seven drops of food coloring into the loo tank ( not bowl ), waiting for the color to fully disperse.  If after 20-30 minutes the coloring is in the bowl, you flapper is dribbling. 

If the difficulty is the overflow tube there are only a few possible solutions.  This includes tightening the center valve screw, conscientiously bending the float ball arm downward, or pinching and sliding the silver clip down the fill valve rod.  If the water level is that very same after all these some flushes, the fill valve may need replacing.  For the flapper, first wipe any build up from under the flapper and flapper seat, allowing it to entirely close.  If that does not work, switch off the water with the shut valve, flush the toilet to drain it, and replace the flapper.  Flappers are terribly reasonable and can be purchased at any local hardware store. 

If none of these solutions work, then you must call in a pro plumber.  DIY methodologies can only take you so far before you risk making the problem worse.  There is no shame in calling on the help of a professional, particularly since you can say that you tried. 

Sydney Plumbers, ASAP plumbing services, are the experts when it comes to fixing leaking toilets and Leaking Shower Repairs Sydney. 

Article by Ray McCaskey.