Most families face the problems with their toilets; some face it rarely while there are some for whom it is a frequent issue. According to experts, if you hire a trained and skilled plumber for repair the toilet problems and take adequate care of your toilet, you will not need to face such issues regularly. Below are remarkable tips on how the plumbers repair common home toilet defects.
Leaking Toilet Base
Leaking toilet is a common problem faced by many people. A plumber will use high-quality sealants to repair leaking toilets and prevent water loss. However, the plumber will do so only if the leaking is caused by a crack or due to loosening of screws. To eliminate other causes of the leak, for instance, problems in the flush system, he will usually check the area where the pipe meets the cover of the toilet seat.
Running Flush
When a flush flows incessantly, the plumber will check the position of the float ball by peeping into the toilet’s flush tank. Often this happens when the wire connected to the ball gets bent. In such cases, the plumber will bend the ball back to the original position. Your flush can run unceasingly even if the float ball gets punctured. A punctured float ball cannot rise to float; this stops it from performing its function of preventing the water flow. If the ball gets punctured, your plumber will advise you to get the tank replaced.
Abnormal Sounds
Is your toilet seat making abnormal sounds? If yes, then there’s nothing to worry about; contacting a reputable plumber will surely solve the problems causing the sounds quickly and effectively. A common cause of such sounds is wind entrapment in the pipeline. To correct this problem, the plumbing expert hired by you will open the flush tank and reach the pipe to remove the entrapment. However, before doing so, he will shut off the unit’s water work. Once the job of removing the entrapment is over, the repair person will replace the connection.
Clogging
It’s true that many homeowners do their unclogging jobs themselves. However, in today’s time, the majority of the people prefer hiring someone to clean clogged toilets. Minor unclogging jobs are usually done using a ‘snake’ or suction pipe. However, if the problem is a serious one, clog cleaners are used. Plumbers only use clog cleaners that do not contain any harmful agents.
How to stop a leaky toilet
A leaky toilet left running to itself can result in wasting gallons of water. This typically concealed problem can also increase your water bill. While there are variations in the toilet’s design mechanism, their functions remain essentially the same. One source of the problem for leaky toilets can be pointed to the flush valve-that cover at the bottom of the tank controlling the water’s entry into the bowl. Another possible cause is a leaking refill valve that results to an overfilled tank. Below are a few simple steps can help you troubleshoot the problem and try simple fixes.
Tools and materials that are needed to stop a leaky toilet:
Step 1-Check the Flush Valve
Since you’ll be leaving the tank for 20 to 30 minutes without using and flushing, it’s best if you used it before you perform this test. Carefully open the cover of your toilet tank. Then draw a line inside the tank to accurately mark the water level. Next, switch off the valve supplying the water at the bottom of the toilet tank, making sure it’s tight. Then leave for half an hour. Afterwards, check if the water level still matches and touches your line. If it’s considerably fallen below your mark, then the problem is with your flush valve which may not be seated right. Go to Step 4 or test the other parts of your tank.
Step 2-Test that Refill Valve
You can twist back the tank’s water supply valve on. Next, put a few drops of food coloring or dye or what have you inside the toilet tank. Leave the toilet unused for a good while: 30 minutes to 1 hour is ideal. If you see the food coloring tinting the water in the bowl, then that’s not a good sign. Proceed to Step 5 or continue to the next step.
Step 3-Troubleshooting the Refill Tube
Now stand back and flush the toilet. Take note of how the water flows out of the Refill Tube. If it is aimed at the long plastic Overflow Pipe, then its position is correct. If it is not positioned correctly, go to Step 6.
Step 4-Correct your Flush Valve
Flush out all the water in the toilet tank. Next, make sure the guide arm is aligned with the seat. Press the trip handle and examine the flush valve. See if lifting hardware gets in the way of the flapper resting fully on its seat. In this case, adjust and repeat.
Step 5-Adjust the Refill Valve
For this step, the valve that supplies the water has to be open so the tank can be filled. Next, bend the float arm of the Refill Valve to set the water level about of an inch from the Overflow Pipe’s top. Make sure the float is not touching the other parts and is safely away from the mechanisms inside the tank. After unscrewing the float, look for signs of water inside. Replace when necessary.
Step 6-Adjust the Refill Tube
Position the Refill Tube over the Overflow Pipe. If it goes below the water level, lift it up higher. Flush the toilet and repeat Steps 1 to 3 to check for leaks again.
What if after trying all the tips you’ve done, you besides have a leaky home toilet? Don’t be intimidated as you’ve tried your all your luck. Some of the leaky toilet predicaments are too complicated for the average people no matter how fit they are with their plumbing devices. In such a situation, don’t wait to call a trained, licensed, and insured plumber who will readily assist you out. Before long, your leaky toilet is solved, your water bill is back to normal, the environment is safe again, and you didn’t have to replace the entire toilet tank.