One of the most common problems with the toilet is when they constantly run or refill. Unfortunately there can be a number of reasons that can cause toilets to constantly run which means there may be several different fixes. Orsack Plumbing Company will share what causes toilets to run and how they can be repaired.
Causes of Why Toilet Won’t Stop Running
Cause 1. Faulty Flapper – Toilet flappers are either made of rubber or plastic which is designed to hold the water inside the tank until the water is manually flushed. Sometimes the flapper is faulty and it allows small amounts of water to flow out and the tank never fills completely. To determine if your flapper is faulty start by inspecting the flapper itself. If it’s a rubber flapper, it can become hardened or brittle. The seal may be unfit to hold the water in. Next, check the chain connected to the flapper to see if the chain is too short and thereby slightly holding the flapper up allowing water to escape. Lastly, check the flapper and make sure it is properly aligned or if there is an obstruction preventing the flapper to be seated correctly.
Cause 2. Broken Fill Valves – The fill valve controls the flow of water that goes into the tank. If the fill valve is broken it could cause water to constantly fill into the tank. When water continually fills into the tank, it can trigger a refill cycle. The fill valve is partly connected to the float valve. If your toilet is constantly running due to a broken floater valve you will need to replace the floater. There are two different kinds of mechanism. Depending on the size of your tank or design, you may need to use one or the other. However most modern tanks are universal and are able to switch out the type of floater used.
Cause 3. Water Levels – If the float is set too high, too much water fills inside the tank. To prevent flooding there is an overflow tube that drains access water. If the water level is set too high and the water fills while draining, this causes the toilet to constantly run. If this is the case you simply need to adjust the floater to set lower inside the tank. Proper water level is about an inch under the overflow tube. However, water levels could vary depending on the design of the toilet.
Cause 4. Water-Logged Floats – Another cause could be due to water-logged floats, which means water gets trapped inside the float. If water gets inside the float the weight is forcing the float to set too low. In most cases it’s best to replace the float if it has become filled with water.
Cause 5. Mineral Buildup – Hard water is a common problem that can cause mineral buildup inside the toilets. Mineral buildup can affect your toilet inside the tank or even within the entire toilet cause and cause numerous problems. Seals can become corroded and the mechanisms can no longer function properly. If your toilets become severally corroded with mineral buildup, sometimes the entire toilet requires replacement, or the internal guts of the toilet at the very least.
Emergency Plumbing Repairs & More in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
If your toilet is constantly running, it wastes water and money. It is important to maintain your home’s plumbing to prevent water waste, water damage and more. For all of your plumbing needs, contact Orsack Plumbing Company today.
