How To Fix A Running Toilet Without Leaving Home?
Proper functioning of toilets requires regular cleaning and repair work, that is the simplest way to go about it. And even though plumbing issues are common everywhere, leaving them unmonitored can cause all kinds of problems for you.
What Is A Running Toilet?
The term ‘running toilet’ depicts that water is leaking constantly and not stopping even after the valves are closed. It could be leaking internally or externally, but the term is coined for both situations.
People should be familiar with basic knowledge of how a toilet works so that they can identify problems and make amends as soon as possible.
Reasons Behind A Running Toilet
Flapper Chain
This one is located inside the toilet tank and it could or could not be the reason for the running toilet situation. Check the following things regarding the flapper chain -
- Is it too long? - A long flapper chain will entangle around the flapper and result in a loose seal thereby making way for water leakage.
- Is it too short? - A short flapper chain might be intertwined thereby making space for water to pass out.
- Is it rusted? - A rusty flapper chain will not be able to move freely thereby leading to water leakage. Also, rust can lead to corrosion and breakage and therefore you should immediately replace a rusty flapper chain with a new one.
Flapper Problems
If your flapper is faulty or defective and does not seal properly, then obviously water will flow out. To check that, you need to open the toilet tank and locate the flapper (center bottom area). After locating it, press it gently to see if the water stops from running or not. If, by pressing, the running water stops, then it indicates that your flapper is faulty and needs to be replaced immediately.
Water Level
You will not be able to stop the water from flowing into the overflow tank if the float height is too high. And because the water will flow, you will hear a constant sound. Usually, one should keep the level of the toilet tank 1 or 1.5 inches below the overflow tube to prevent any of that from happening.
Fill Valve Issue
After a flush, it is the fill valve that controls water flow into the tank. So, if it is defective or leaky, then you will face a running toilet issue. Another important thing to add here is that the fill valve can be affected by the water pressure. If the pressure is too much, then the fill valve will stay open for a longer time thereby creating a prolonged sound of water flow.
Blockage Or Clog
The fill valve issue can also be caused by any blockage or clog in the plumbing system because they can result in back pressure and hence cause the fill valve to stay for longer periods of time thereby leading to water draining.
How To Fix A Running Toilet?
Close Water Supply
The first thing that you must do before going for repairs is to close the water supply so that you do not face any disturbances while correcting the problem. You can close the master valve for more convenience, but that depends on the water requirements at your place.
Drain The Tank
Just closing the water supply won’t work. You need to drain the tank so as to work with ease. Just flush the toilet after you have closed the supply to minimize the quantity of water in the system.
Install A New Flapper
If your flapper is the culprit, then you need to replace it and put a new one in there. The simple method is to unclip the old flapper and attach a new one there. But, make sure you are buying stuff of the same brand because plumbing materials cannot go by mixing one thing with another. Different brands have different hardware parts. So one brand’s products will not work for another in most cases.
Adjust The Flapper Chain
We have already mentioned that a too-long or too short flapper chain can be a reason for running toilet issues. So, you need to adjust its length to make sure the system works properly and there is no space left from where water can flow out.
Check And Replace Fill Valve
If for some reason the fill valve is not working properly, then you can face running toilet issues. So, replacing it with a new one might be the best choice. However, do cross-check whether the issue is still there or not.
You can reach out to our plumber Dubai team to make the replacement if you are having any issues. We are a bunch of professionals who have dealt with all kinds of plumbing-related issues and therefore can handle it all quite easily.
Check And Test Your Repair Work
After all the adjustments are made, you need to open the water supply and then test your repairs to see whether things are working properly or not. If the water level in the toilet tank is okay, the flapper is replaced, and the flapper chain is perfectly working and still, you witness running toilet issues, then you need to reach out to someone professional.
How To Maintain Your Toilet And Keep It Safe From Damages?
Inspection
It goes without saying that regular inspection and carefulness will help you identify issues and correct them within time. And, although many people miss this point, it is the most basic one required to minimize damages and also save your money in the long run.
Proper Cleaning
You should clean your washroom on a regular basis because hygiene is very important. Also, cleaning your taps, showers, commode area, and washroom floor can easily increase their lifespan and functionality.
Another important thing to add here is that you should use non-acidic liquids to clean the plumbing fixtures so as to make sure they do not get damaged in any way.
Using Things Gently
You must never use things too harshly in your washroom because that can easily harm the fixtures and decrease their lifespan. Also, be careful what you flush down the toilet to prevent unnecessary blockage or clogging.
Upgrading If Necessary
Broken or rusty fixtures in your toilet should immediately be replaced with new ones. Making changes early on will prevent you from emergencies and keep things smooth and functioning always. And even though things sound costly at first, in the long run, it is a better choice because you will be saved from big damages.
Using Professional Help Whenever Required
Although plumbing issues are a quick fix, there are many issues that cannot be solved by yourself. So, in that case, it is best to reach out for professional help.
Our Plumber Dubai team will be very helpful for that because we are licensed workers who can handle all kinds of plumbing-related tasks and fix things in no time. Interestingly, we provide service work at a reasonable price which is why we have hundreds of clients who have received our services.
Bottom Line
Running toilets are not that big of an issue and can be resolved without leaving your home. However, regular monitoring can prevent the issue from taking place because you will make amends even before the issue becomes an issue in the first place.
Just remember to take care of your plumbing fixtures and follow the safety steps we have mentioned here in order to experience a smooth experience.
With that, we end our blog and hope the information helped. Thanks for reading!