Few home maintenance issues are more annoying than a toilet that won’t stop running. The constant sound of water running can ruin your day and keep you up at night in Brighton. Furthermore, a toilet that won’t stop running can potentially waste hundreds of gallons of water daily. That’s why it’s important to understand the different issues that can cause a toilet to run constantly so that you can take steps to repair those issues. Here are a few insights into common toilet problems from the plumbing pros at TYCO Plumbing.

Loose Flapper

The flapper in your toilet’s tank holds the water in the tank between flushes. When you pull down the flush handle, it pulls the flapper up from the drain hole, allowing a large amount of water to enter the bowl to help remove the waste. As the tank refills, the flapper will automatically return to its original position. After years of exposure to water, the rubber in the flapper can begin to become stiff. This causes the seal between the flapper and the tank drain to become unstable. Eventually, water can begin slipping by the flapper. The flush valve will release water into the tank to compensate for the leak, resulting in a cycle that will keep your toilet running all the time.

Faulty Flush Valve

When you flush your toilet, the device that’s responsible for getting fresh water into the tank is the flush valve. This component connects directly to the incoming water line. The flush valve relies on tight seals in a few key locations to operate properly. If these seals become compromised, the valve can leak water into the tank, even if you aren’t flushing the toilet. Since your tank has an overflow drain, your toilet will simply cycle this extra water through, resulting in significant waste. If your toilet doesn’t have a localized shut-off valve, replacing a flush valve can be tricky. Be sure to call TYCO Plumbing for assistance to avoid a flood in your bathroom.

Leaky Float

Some types of toilets use a large float located in the tank to determine when to stop the flow of water into the tank. The floats are filled with air to allow them to rise as the water level in the tank rises. Unfortunately, these floats can sometimes develop leaks, thus reducing their buoyancy. When this happens, the float can sink slightly when the tank is full. This action opens the flush valve, allowing more water into the tank. Once a float deteriorates to the point that it starts leaking, it’s best to replace it instead of trying to repair it.

Corroded Fill Valve

Your toilet’s fill valve releases water into the tank through small holes around the top of the bowl to create a circular motion in the water that helps remove waste. If the plastic in the fill valve becomes brittle, which can often happen with the cold water found in Brighton, the valve can develop small leaks that continuously release water into the bowl. When the flush valve senses the dropping water level, it will release more water into the tank and cause major water waste. To avoid jeopardizing the connection between the tank and the bowl, it’s a good idea to involve TYCO Plumbing if the fill valve needs to be replaced.

Detecting a Sneaky Leak

Sometimes, your toilet may continue to cycle water through without making much noise. In fact, you might only find out this is happening when you receive an unexpectedly high water bill. If you suspect a leak, there’s one time-tested way to prove or disprove that a leak is occurring. First, put 20 drops of food coloring in the water in the tank. Next, make sure that no one flushes the toilet for several hours. Finally, check the water in the bowl to see if it has taken on the hue of the dye in the tank. If it has, you know you have a subtle leak that you need to repair to avoid wasting water.

Toilet Fixes and So Much More

At TYCO Plumbing, we understand that toilet repairs can be intimidating. That’s why we’re always ready to quickly come to your home and repair your home’s toilets to ensure you can heed nature’s call with ease. We also repair and replace water heaters, install sump pumps, maintain garbage disposals, and much more. For more than five years, we’ve been proudly serving this community with excellence. That’s a big reason we can maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. That’s also why we consistently receive five-star customer reviews. To learn more about common toilet problems, contact us at TYCO Plumbing today.

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