Reasons A Toilet Keeps Running
When a toilet keeps running, it can cause you to waste a lot of water, and it can cause the toilet to wear out faster. A toilet that keeps running might be doing this due to a small water leak in it, or it could be doing this due to a bad part in the toilet. Here are several causes of running toilets and a way you can test your toilets to see if there is a small leak in any of them.
Bad flapper valve
One of the first things a plumber will check when fixing a running toilet is the flapper valve. This valve is located in the tank of the toilet and is there to stop water from moving from the tank to the bowl. When the toilet is flushed, this valve lifts up to allow water to move from the tank to the bowl, but it should seal in place after the bowl is full of water. If the flapper valve is bad, it will allow water to leak from the tank to the bowl, and this will keep happening, causing your toilet to keep running.
Problems with the flapper valve chain
A second cause of a running toilet is a problem with the flapper valve chain. This is the chain that pulls up the flapper valve when the toilet is flushed and allows the flapper valve to close after the toilet fills up. If the valve chain is too short, it can prevent the valve from sealing closed when it should seal. Adding extra length to this chain can easily solve the problem.
Leak in the toilet somewhere
A toilet will also keep running if there is a leak in it, as a leak will cause the toilet to keep needing to fill up, simply because water keeps leaking out of the toilet.
Test the toilet
The easiest way to find out if your toilet has a problem is by placing dye in the tank. After you do this, check the bowl after about 20 minutes or so. If you see colored dye in the bowl, there is a problem.
If you need help with a toilet in your home, contact a residential plumber. Failing to fix a running toilet can cost you a lot of extra money and can cause you to waste a lot of good water. Contact a plumbing company today to make an appointment.