Imagine waking up in the morning and stumbling into your bathroom only to find that your toilet has been leaking all night! That’s not exactly a pleasant way to start your day.
Running or leaking toilets can be a nuisance and can cost you a pretty penny in your next water billing cycle. That's why it's vital that you call a trusted plumbing company like Guardian Plumbing and Drain as soon as you notice any kind of leak in your toilet.
Toilet Flapper - The Usual Suspect
When it comes to leaking toilets, the culprit is usually a worn or broken toilet flapper. There are a few different kinds of flappers, though all are usually made from some type of rubber or plastic, and all serve the same function.
They control how much water flows into the toilet bowl when it flushed. The most common type of toilet flapper is the rubber cap. Tank ball flappers are also fairly popular, though they are not as durable as rubber caps are.
Both of these systems involve a chain that connects them to the handle. The chain lifts them away from the overflow tube when the toilet is flushed and returns them to their perch on top of it. Flappers can cause problems in your toilet if the chain is not the perfect length, or if the rubber they are made of begins to wear thin over time.
A Running Toilet - What Else Could Be Causing It?
Let's say you've checked the flapper and it looks to be in pretty good shape. Some other issues could be occurring that would cause your toilet to run. One of those issues may be a faulty fill valve or fill tube.
The fill valve is responsible for providing the water that fills the toilet bowl when it flushes via the fill tube and overflow tube. The fill tube is the small flexible tube that carries the water from the fill valve to the overflow tube.
If the fill tube becomes dislodged or damaged, it can cause your toilet to run excess water. Another issue that may be to blame for your leaking toilet is high water level in the tank. If the water in the tank is spilling over into the overflow tube and causing the toilet to run water constantly, call Guardian Plumbing and Drain!
Pro Tips For Toilet Maintenance
Proper toilet maintenance is essential for keeping your toilet working as it should for as long as possible. Here are a few tips that can help you take care of your toilet and avoid leaks in the future:
Be aware of what you flush- only human waste and toilet paper should enter your toilet’s drain.
- Be careful about what you use to clean your toilet, and never use liquid drain cleaners in your toilet.
- Be diligent about inspecting and maintaining your toilet- check the flapper and other mechanisms in the tank at least twice a year to make sure they are in good shape.
If you’re tired of dealing with toilet repair issues, call the technicians at Guardian Plumbing and Drain today at (289) 251-1626 for the best plumbing service in Cobourg! Share your own tips for maintaining a functioning toilet in the comments section below!