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. How much water that wastes depends on how fast it runs. 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 for the leaks that reach the floor. aquaHALT is a battery-operated, easy-to-install water detection system that shuts off the toilet’s water once its sensor gets wet. It won’t stop the running itself, because that water runs down the drain, not onto the floor.
There is no need to call a plumber, and no worries about losing power, aquaHALT will automatically close off the toilet’s water supply and sound an alarm, saving you from extensive damage and repairs.
Not every leak is loud enough to hear from the next room. These are the signs to watch for:
To confirm a leak, use the EPA’s toilet test. Add some food coloring to the tank, leave it for 10 minutes without flushing, then look in the bowl. Any color there means water is seeping through to the bowl. Flush when you’re done, or the dye can stain the tank.
Most toilet leaks come from an old or worn flapper, the rubber seal that holds the water in the tank until you flush. A toilet that flushes on its own points the same way. Check that the chain isn’t pulled tight or caught under the flapper, then replace the flapper if it’s worn. Take the old one, or a photo of it, to the hardware store so the new one fits.
If the flapper seals and the toilet still runs, take the lid off and watch the tank refill after a flush. Water that keeps rising until it spills into the overflow tube, the open pipe standing in the tank, means the float may be set too high or the fill valve isn’t shutting off. Lowering the float, or cleaning or replacing the fill valve, stops that kind of running.
aquaHALT from water AUTOMATION is an automatic shut-off valve, and each toilet model covers one toilet. It won’t find a worn part inside your toilet, so keep up the checks above, but it limits the damage when water gets out onto the floor.
A running toilet needs a repair, and the checks above show where to start. Contact us to ask about aquaHALT and get started.
Image Source: Am.p / Shutterstock
