The home's plumbing can potentially develop a number of various leaks, with a toilet leak being a common source of wasted water. Phantom flushing occurs when the toilet spontaneously refills periodically, typically due to an issue with the fill valve or the flapper valve. Furthermore, it may waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day.

Flushing the toilet causes the flapper valve to rise, allowing the water in the tank to flow into the bowl, and providing the flush. Water leaking by the flapper valve can be due to a worn flapper not seating correctly, or an improperly adjusted chain.

Other potential causes of phantom flushing include either a faulty fill valve or one in need of adjustment. The following tips can assist you in determining the cause, or you can contact a Benjamin Franklin plumber for professional repair.

Testing for a Leak

The testing of a potential toilet leak only requires a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Check the bowl in 15 minutes. Food coloring in the bowl confirms there is a leak. However, a bad fill valve may result in a running toilet once a day, or frequently.

The Fill Valve

Water should be approximately 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube. A poorly adjusted or faulty fill valve will allow the water to rise above this level, resulting in water flowing into the overflow tube, and wasting water.

Some fill valves are adjustable with a screw adjustment or a float clip. Turning the adjustment screw counterclockwise will lower the water level on a fill valve. The water level on a fill valve with a float clip is adjustable by pinching the clip to release it, and sliding it down.

However, if adjustment fails to stop the leak, the fill valve will require replacement. A Benjamin Franklin plumber can provide the toilet repair required for your plumbing in Auburn, AL.

The Flapper Valve

A leaking flapper valve allows water to leak out of the tank and into the toilet bowl, resulting in the tank refilling with water. It is the tank filling that you hear, rather than the toilet flushing. The recent replacement of the flapper valve may have provided a short chain, causing insufficient closing of the valve. Lengthen the chain connecting the flapper valve to the flush handle by one or two links.

After adjusting the chain, repeat the dye test. If leaking continues after adjustment, replace the flapper valve or contact a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber for the repair of your plumbing.

In addition to toilet repair for phantom flushing, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing plumber offers the plumbing services you require for residential or commercial plumbing in Auburn, AL. We provide professional expertise for plumbing services in Auburn and Opelika, AL, Columbus, GA and the surrounding areas. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating. We guarantee your satisfaction.