What Causes a Running Toilet?
December 20, 2017
One of the worst sounds that you could hear in your home is a running toilet. Whether it's a leak or a clog, there could be several toilet problems that you might want to have checked by a professional, such as your local Benjamin Franklin Plumber. There are some minor issues that you may be able to repair on your own, but it's usually best to leave major plumbing work to someone who has the proper tools necessary to solve the problem.
The most common issue that causes a running toilet is a broken flapper. If the flapper isn't sitting correctly in the tank or isn't raising when the toilet is flushed, it can cause the toilet to keep running after its been flushed. Flapper issues can also cause toilet leaks to occur, especially around the tank. Another issue that could result in a running toilet is a broken chain inside the tank. If the chain is broken, there is no a way to lift the flapper valve. If you move the lever inside the toilet tank and it becomes lodged in place or wobbles, then there is likely an issue with the chain and the flapper. The length of the chain could be too short, which results in the flapper valve being kept open. On the other hand, if the chain is too long, the flapper valve may not be lifting up fair enough to allow the toilet to refill after its been flushed. When you look inside the toilet tank, you'll see a large object that looks like a balloon—this indicates the appropriate fill level for the toilet. If this object is set at a position that is too high, then the toilet will continue to run water trying to fill the tank to the height specified by the position of the balloon.
If you have kids in the home, then you know that they like putting objects where they don't belong. This includes the toilet. When items are lodged in the toilet, they can cause water to back up and spill over the rim, which can lead to damage to the floor and surrounding areas if it continues on a regular basis. Everything from too much toilet paper, newspaper, and small toys are often seen in toilet lines. Your local Benjamin Franklin Plumber can inspect the toilet and the lines to find out what might be blocking the flow of water.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Little Rock serves the greater Little Rock cities of Beebe, Benton, Bryant, Cabot, Conway, Jacksonville, Little Rock, Maumelle, North Little Rock, Searcy, Sherwood and surrounding areas with a team of certified plumbers. In addition to emergency plumbing repair, some of the plumbing services provided by the company include faucet repair, drain services, toilet repair, plumbing fixture installations, tub and shower installations, kitchen sink repair, faucet installation, water heater repair/replacement, and garbage disposal replacement. Call us today at (501) 238-6293 to schedule an appointment!