Need help testing and repairing a running toilet? Are you familiar with the sounds you hear from your toilet after you have pushed the lever? You will generally hear the sound of slow-running water for about a minute. After the water in the tank successfully flows down into the bowl to fill it, the water will turn off.
At that point, your toilet should be completely silent. If you still hear a sound, whether you notice running water or not, you probably have a running toilet.
Again, if you do hear sounds after the minute has passed, you have a running toilet in your home. A running toilet will not be the biggest plumbing emergency one can have. However, it can result in a significant amount of waste and run up your water bill.
Of course, a running toilet may not cause as much trouble as a clogged toilet, and snaking a toilet clog can cause. Another point to note in the case of a toilet clog is to always know the difference between a toilet plunger and a sink drain plunger. But, if the running toilet is not checked and repaired in time it will create issues.
The problem you are having in your home can result in gallons of water being wasted, and the irritating sound of running water day and night. This will result in you wasting a significant amount of water, and you will also waste a significant amount of money.
How much water does a running toilet waste?
A toilet that constantly runs can waste up to 6,000 gallons of water each day as per the NYC DEP. This can equate to over 6,000 gallons of wasted water each month. If you do not notice that your toilet is constantly running, you can do a simple dye test. Simply place some food or clothing dye inside your toilet tank, then see if it appears inside the bowl.
The High Wasted Water Cost of a Running Toilet
If you notice the running toilet and do not have it repaired, you can spend anywhere from over $400.00 per year to over $10,000.00 per year for that wasted water on your annual water bill if you reside in NYC.
It is important to check your toilets regularly for any leaks. Repairing a running toilet is not as complex as you may think it is. First, it is important to be familiar with your toilet. That is because you will need to know the mechanism of the toilet. That way you will know the best way to test for a running toilet. To reiterate, one of the easiest ways to test for a leaking toilet is to use a dye tablet or food coloring.
Checking & Testing for a Running Toilet
While you are standing by your toilet, listen closely for any sounds that indicate running water. If you notice anything that sounds like water is running through your toilet, this could be a sign that you have a leak. Remove the lid on your toilet tank and drop at least ten drops of food coloring or one dye tablet into your toilet’s tank.
After you have dropped the food coloring or dye tablet into the tank, carefully place the lid back on the tank. Do not flush the toilet immediately. After 10 or 15 minutes have passed, check your toilet bowl. Do you notice any color in the toilet bowl? If so, your toilet has a leak.
Repairing a Running Toilet
As mentioned earlier, you must be familiar with the mechanisms of your toilet. You may not be familiar with the parts of your toilet, and you are not comfortable attempting to repair your toilet. A good tip might be to close the valve supplying the water to the toilet to prevent an overflowing toilet. We would then encourage you to reach out to a professional. There can be multiple reasons for a running toilet, including the following:
“Why does my toilet keep running?”
- The flapper is broken or corroded
- The fill valve is broken
- The flapper and flush valve have trapped the flapper chain
- The tank’s water level is too high
If you inspect your toilet, you may notice that the toilet flusher has not been initiated. The flapper should be snugly against the bottom of the tank. If the flapper is not flat against the bottom, this could mean that something is stuck and is preventing it from being flat on the surface.
There is also a chance that the chain is stuck on something. The float valve or refill valve could also be unsecured. That can result in it not operating the way it is supposed to. If any of these parts in your toilet are the cause of the problem, these parts can be replaced.
How do you decide to repair or replace your toilet?
On the other hand, if multiple parts in your toilet are wearing down, it may be time to replace the toilet. If your toilet has never been replaced or repaired in any way, it will be more prone to maintenance needs. Your toilet could also be using a significant amount of water each time you flush it because it is an older model toilet.
Team Balkan is your “Running Toilet” and Toilet Repair specialist
When you call Team Balkan we will come to your home to inspect your running toilet. We will be more than happy about fixing a running toilet, or give you our honest opinion on whether your toilet can be repaired, or if it is time to replace it. Treating our clients with respect and honesty is all part of The Balkan Promise. If you suspect you have a running toilet and need help repairing a running toilet right away, contact Balkan Drain Cleaning today.
