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Easy Plumbing Service Fixes For A Running Toilet | Myrtle Beach, SC
Photo By Stanislaw Mikulski at Shutterstock
Did you know that a running toilet can waste over 20 gallons of fresh water every day? Even if you’re not annoyed by the sound of the continuous running water, think about the water bill and how straining the toilet is to the environment! You could end up flushing hundreds of dollars down the toilet every year just because you don’t fix the problem by calling a plumbing service in Myrtle Beach, SC.
There are several reasons why your toilet might be running. We’ll take a look at several potential solutions in this article.
#1. Adjust the Fill Height
One of the main reasons why the toilet may always be running is because the fill height is off. If the float is set too high, water spills into the overflow tube and the fill valve won’t be able to shut off. This is one of the primary reasons why many homeowners struggle with a running toilet. The easiest solution, other than calling a plumbing service in Myrtle Beach, SC, is to look for the fill level mark inside the tank. Make sure that the adjustable float is not higher than the toilet overflow tube.
Adjusting the float on a newer toilet should be rather easy. All you have to do is turn a screw or slide a clip along a rod inside the tank. However, if you have an older toilet, you might need to bend the brass rod that holds the float ball. Make sure that you flush the toilet after you adjust it to ensure that it’s at the right height. The toilet should stop running immediately.
#2. Adjust the Flapper Chain
Another reason why the toilet may be running is because the flapper chain is not at the right height. Chances are that the chain is tangled up to the point where it is too short, so the flapper can’t close completely. This means that the water will leak continuously into the bowl, and that the toilet will have to constantly refill itself. To solve this problem, all you have to do is untangle the chain and adjust it, so it’s at just the right length.
Although a short chain is a problem, it’s important to note that a chain that’s too long is also defective. If the chain is too long, the flapper can’t open wide enough to produce a good flush. Make sure that you accurately measure the length of chain that’s needed if you plan on replacing it with a new one.
#3. Replace the Flapper
Take a close look at the flapper and see whether there’s anything defective about it. In particular, you want to confirm that it produces a perfect seal. Over time, the flapper will succumb to wear and tear and will become cracked. When this happens, the simplest solution is to replace it. Finding a replacement may not always be easy, so it might be best to call a plumbing service to get the job done.
In general, all flappers are built the same. The only thing that you need to consider is the size of the flapper and whether it will be able to provide a tight seal.
#4. Check the Float Ball for Leaks
Another reason why the toilet may be running is because the float ball is leaking. To check for leaks, you’ll need to know how to unscrew the float ball and remove it. This isn’t something that everyone knows how to do. If you have never completed any type of plumbing service by yourself, you might be better off calling a professional.
Once you remove the float ball, shake it gently. If there’s a leak in the ball, you should hear water inside. If the ball is indeed leaking, buy and install a replacement. Once again, this isn’t something that the average Joe would not know how to do. You should call a plumbing company to replace the float ball for you in order to ensure that everything is installed properly.
#5. Adjust the Ballcock
Last but not least, you can also try adjusting the ballcock. If the ballcock is faulty, it will not be able to shut off the fresh water supply that’s entering the toilet, which is why it’s always running. Once again, this isn’t an easy repair job if you’ve never tinkered with the inside of the toilet tank before. This is largely due to the fact that there are many different types of systems, like a traditional plunger-valve ballcock, a diaphragm ballcock, a float cup ballcock and a floatless ballcock.
Each type of ballcock operates in a different way, and you need to be familiar with the overall design of the system before you tinker with it. Knowing what type of system is inside your toilet can help you better convey the problem to a plumbing service over the phone.
If the plumbing service has deemed the ballcock as defective, they will recommend that you replace it and install a new one.
Stop a Running Toilet in Its Tracks
Don’t let a running toilet drive you crazy, especially when a simple plumbing service can easily fix the problem. The plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach has the professional expertise needed to perfectly complete any plumbing service that you need. Our plumbers receive on-going training and have handled so many plumbing problems that they’ll be able to easily tell you what type of repairs you need!
Although a running toilet isn’t necessarily considered a plumbing emergency, it is something that you should consider fixing when you have free time. By fixing this problem, you’ll be able to enjoy a higher quality of living, and you’ll also be able to save money in the long run, as you should see a noticeable difference in your next water bill. If you have more than one running toilet, that amount can quickly add up.
Contact us now at 843.894.0905 for any plumbing services that you might need!