It could be that you just got your water bill and have noticed a spike in usage, increasing the amount you owe. Or you may have heard the constant sound of water trickling while trying to sleep. Or, maybe the floor in your bathroom is damp, or there is visible water. Whatever brought your plumbing issue to light, be mindful that a running toilet can change from simply annoying to damaging, wasteful, and expensive.
A running toilet usually occurs when the water flowing from the tank to the bowl never triggers a shutoff, prompting a continuous flow. This small trickle can use as much as 3 gallons per minute! Think about the thousands of gallons of water that can go down the toilet daily! The impact can be both financial and environmental, considering that every home, apartment, and business has at least one toilet.
Several factors can affect the water usage in a running toilet. As toilets age, some parts may need to be repaired or replaced in order to keep them in top working condition. Identifying your plumbing issue is important but can be difficult to determine since some leaks are silent until the damage is already done.
The type of toilet can determine the type of flush valve in the tank. Generally, toilet flush valves come in two formats: the tower or canister-style and dual flush valves. The flush valve is responsible for releasing water that is in the tank to the toilet when flushed. Over time, the flush valve seal can deteriorate either from mineral buildup, chemicals, or age. If it is not working properly, the valve does not close, and water continues to run into the tank.
If your toilet leaks water from the bowl onto the floor, there could be a fracture, a defective wax ring, corroded water lines, or loose flange bolts. There could also be leakage from the tank into the bowl if the parts inside your tank malfunction. Inside the tank, the fill valve responsible for shutting off the water when it goes into the tank could be faulty due to worn-out parts or mineral deposits. If the float is damaged or improperly adjusted, it can also cause the tank water to continue to run.
When the flapper or rubber ring fails to seal properly, water will continue to run until the tank overflows. This is a common occurrence when the flapper is installed incorrectly or is worn.
Some homes have higher than normal water pressure, and although great pressure may be great when you are in the shower, it can cause damage to plumbing, including toilets. If your home has unusually high water pressure, a pressure-reducing valve may be needed to prevent damage.
There are several things that you can proactively do to reduce water usage from a running toilet. Be vigilant. If you can hear water running, investigate it immediately. Do routine inspections to determine if there is mineral buildup or wear to parts. Keep an eye on water usage.
But what if you are away at work all day? Your toilet could be running all day long. You could have leaks and damage before you even get home from work. Or you can install aquaHALT in your bathroom. aquaHALT is a battery-operated, easy-to-install water detection system that can detect leakage and shut off the water source.
There is no need to call a plumber, and no worries about losing power, aquaHALT will automatically signal an alert while it simultaneously shuts off the source of the water, saving you from extensive damage and repairs. Plus, you will conserve hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons of water.
Are you tired of wasting water, (and worrying that a toilet leak is inevitable to happen?)
Introducing aquaHALT from water AUTOMATION – a revolutionary system that helps property owners save water, and prevent costly property damage. With its advanced technology, aquaHALT detects leaks and exposes defective parts within your toilet. Imagine the peace of mind knowing that you are safe from property damage while conserving water. With aquaHALT, you can effortlessly identify leaks early on, optimize efficiency, and prevent damage.
It’s time to take control of your water consumption, reduce leaks, and start saving money! Don’t wait. Conserving water and saving money is easy with aquaHALT from water AUTOMATION. Contact us to learn more and get started on your journey to a more sustainable future.
Image Source: Am.p / Shutterstock
For approximately 14,000 people in the U.S every day, water damage is a costly and stressful issue. While causes abound, research points to overflowing or clogged toilets, faulty fill valves, or aged gaskets/failing plastic parts as usual suspects, all of which can lead to thousands upon thousands of dollars in damage and resulting repairs.
Water damage can necessitate renovations including new flooring, sheetrock, and finishes as well as vital mold remediation to stave off harmful colonies that can be harmful in the air. This, plus the possibility of higher insurance rates can cause a nightmare for homeowners and renters alike.
Luckily, water damage can be avoided with proper planning and monitoring, such as that provided by aquaHALT, a premier water sensor that can let residents know when overflowing water is on the rise.
Greg Capizzi, founder of aquaHALT, shares more on the importance of installing a leak detection system.
As the first battery-operated, automatic shut-off valve for toilet bowls, aquaHALT detects water around the toilet bowl, triggering the proprietary aquaHALT system to close the internal valve at the source. This all takes place without disrupting the rest of the home, building, or fixtures in a given unit.
The specially developed technology provides homeowners with a sense of assurance because aquaHALT provides an overflow solution. If the equipment detects water on the floor, it turns off the water at the source in an instant—it’s that simple. We designed aquaHALT to be hassle-free for homeowners, meaning you can install it and just about forget that it’s there until you need it. With our busy modern lifestyles, no one needs another app regarding alerts, or subscription to maintain and worry about. We should have technology and equipment that serves a purpose, to stop waterflow at the source without the need for worry.
aquaHALT was designed and patented specifically for toilet bowls. The most up-to-date research shows that a significant number of water leaks in a household stem from toilet floods and/or washing machines that don’t have any water sensor device installed. Since washing machines have a local power source, it makes sense to have a hardwired 120-volt electronic device installed; but, since toilet bowls do not have that local power source, we decided to provide a battery-operated device that could work for a similar purpose but in the most used rooms in the house—the bathrooms.
There are many different leak sensing devices out there, some are Wi-Fi based, where a main power source is needed as well as a plumber for the install. Most come with a monthly paid subscription, but the unreliability of communication is the biggest issue. Communication through apartment building walls and the need to reset or reboot your internet constantly does not ensure these systems will always work. Water-sensing devices that are Wi-Fi based usually shut off the entire home, limiting the use of your other fixtures while you schedule and wait for costly repairs.
Other leak sensing devices only beep when they get wet. While these systems cost much less, and have battery-operated sensors that are placed all over the house, they allow water to continue flowing even after the user is notified. Best case scenario, you can get home to fix the issue as soon as you hear the alert, but that is not always practical.
aquaHALT has a hardwired sensor to ensure a leak will be detected and stopped. It blends seamlessly into a bathroom’s existing design, with most homeowners and guests never even noticing it is there. Not to mention, the device comes with everything you need to install it for a fast and easy install, including an extra stainless steel water line, a wired sensor, and batteries.
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