If the toilet at your Springfield, MO home or business is constantly running, it could be costing you a fortune in wasted water. Think of it like this: every second you let the water run, you’re being charged for it. Do I have your attention now?
Luckily for you, problems with running toilets are usually relatively simple. However, it will require a working knowledge of toilets and their components. If the job is over your head, it’s better to call professional plumbers and let them do what they do best. While it may cost a bit more, a simple job will likely take them less time than it will take you.
The experts at Air Services are always available to provide excellent plumbing services. Otherwise, for the ambitious homeowners in the Springfield, MO area, here are a few tips about DIY toilet repair.
How the Toilet Tank Works
The toilet tank’s function is to hold a certain amount of water until the toilet is flushed, at which point the water in the tank rushes down through an opening in the bottom of the tank and into the bowl. This forces waste out of the bowl and into the home’s drain and sewer lines.
The process is made possible by two major toilet parts in the tank: the flush valve and the fill valve. Understanding how these work can help you diagnose problems when your toilet isn’t working properly.
The mechanism that fills the tank with water is known as the toilet fill valve. It’s also referred to as a “ballcock” or a “refill valve.” When looking down from above with the tank lid removed, the fill valve is usually located on the left side of the tank.
Fill valves come in four basic variations. The plunger-type ballcock is the oldest type and is usually made of brass. The diaphragm-type ballcock may be brass in older styles or plastic in newer types. The float cup fill valve is a newer design usually made of plastic. The floatless fill valve is another newer design, but it is not always allowed by some codes.
Whatever the design, the fill valve works by automatically opening the water supply valve when the water level in the tank falls during a flush and then shutting off when the water level in the tank rises to a specific level. The valve is operated by a floating ball or a float cup that moves up and down with the water level in the tank, depending on the design. Floatless fill valves work by sensing water pressure at the tank’s bottom.
Remove the tank lid and observe what happens inside the tank during the flush cycle to quickly understand how a toilet flushes. You’ll see the water level drop, the fill valve activate, and the water level rise again.
Flapper Problems
Flapper problems are the source of many toilet repair jobs, and this component of your toilet could affect things in multiple ways. The flapper is the rubber seal at the bottom of the toilet tank that drains water from the tank to the bowl. Additionally, there could be a number of things keeping that drain from being sealed.
The flapper could be warped, damaged, or even not closing due to mineral build-up. Over time, the rubber can deteriorate or become misshapen, preventing it from sealing properly. Mineral deposits can also prevent the flapper from seating correctly.
A chain that is too short will prevent the flapper from closing at all. If the chain doesn’t have enough slack, it will hold the flapper open, causing water to constantly run into the bowl.
A chain that is too long may get stuck underneath, also not allowing the flapper to close. If there’s too much slack, the chain can get caught under the flapper, preventing it from sealing.
If you’re experiencing a running toilet, check the flapper first. Make sure it’s in good condition and that the chain is the right length. These are often the easiest problems to fix.
Fill Valve Problems
Another issue that may be causing a running toilet has to do with the fill valve, the valve that regulates the level of water in the tank. First, check to see if the fill valve is too high and forcing water to constantly flow through the overflow valve.
If this is too high, adjust the height of the valve to control the level of the water. The valve should be set to one to one and a half inches below the overflow valve. This ensures the tank fills to the right level without overflowing.
If lowering the water level doesn’t help, it’s likely a bad fill valve that needs to be replaced. Fill valves can be found at hardware or plumbing supply stores and can be a DIY project. Just remember to turn off the water and drain the tank before starting to replace the valve.
Replacing a fill valve is usually straightforward, but if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, it’s best to call a professional. A plumber can replace it quickly and ensure it’s working properly.
Ballcock Problems
The older styles of refill valves are commonly referred to as “ballcocks,” a term that refers to the hollow floating ball that operates the valve that controls the water. Although plunger-type and diaphragm-type ballcocks are rarely found in new toilets, they can be found in older toilets.
The mechanism is very simple, and when the water level needs to be adjusted, you can bend the float arm up or down to change the point at which the float ball shuts off the water supply. When a toilet continues to run after the flush cycle has been completed, it is usually because the water level in the tank is too high.
The float ball will turn off the water at a lower tank level if the float arm is bent downward. Adjusting the tank’s water level is as simple as fine-tuning the point at which the float ball closes the valve.
If this does not work and the water continues to run, it is possible that the ballcock needs to be replaced. Ballcock valves are prone to malfunction, so if you have one, it is best to replace it with a more modern style, the float-cup fill valve. Replacement is a simple do-it-yourself project, unless you’d rather contact the professionals.
When to Call a Professional
Above all else, you don’t want to make a drastic mistake that’s going to cost you even more to get fixed. If you’re truly out of your element and want an expert to handle the repair, it’s a much better option to call a professional plumbing company like Air Services from the start.
Professional plumbers have the experience and tools to diagnose and fix toilet problems quickly and correctly. They can also identify underlying issues that might not be obvious to the untrained eye.
If you’ve tried DIY fixes and the problem persists, or if you’re not comfortable working on your toilet, don’t hesitate to call a professional. It’s better to get it fixed right the first time than to make the problem worse.