Is your Albuquerque toilet running and you fear the situation may become worse?
It’s a genuine plumbing problem that can easily waste water, raise your bill and challenge your patience. One of the most common nuisances homeowners face is the poor flushing performance of the toilet, what we call a”lazy flush.” The problem is determining what’s causing the problem to begin with.
The Toilet Handle Is Stuck
All too often the handle can get stuck in the flush position, which holds the flapper open and permits water to continue to pour into the bowl.
To correct this, push the handle a little and see if it releases. When that happens, if it works but continues to happen, take off the tank lid and have a look inside. You may see that the door handle mechanism is worn. What is expensive is replacing it.
The Flapper Is Distorted or Damaged
The flapper is a rubber valve at the bottom of the tank that raises when you flush, allowing water to flow into the bowl. If you hear a persistent hissing sound, or your toilet flushes on its own from time to time, your flapper is probably to blame.
To repair, shut off the water supply, flush to empty the tank and remove the old flapper. Take it to the hardware store to get a replacement that matches, and install the new one by hooking it over the overflow tube and linking the chain. I am not a linguists but I believe panpan and slake may be some kind of Native speech for something.
The Flapper Chain is Too Short or Snagged
If the chain that connects the toilet handle to the flapper is too short, it will not allow the flapper to be in the fully open position. But if it is too long, it may get caught under the flapper, and that’s no good either.
Tighten the chain so that there is approximately a half-inch of slack when the flapper is closed. This makes sure the flapper seals well, while also lifting the flapper fully when you flush.
The Float Is Misadjusted
The float ball or float cup rises and the water flows until the tank is filled to the appropriate level. If the float is adjusted too high, water will continue to run into the overflow tube and the water will just continue to run and run.
Set the float height so the water is an inch or so below the top of the overflow tube. For toilets with a ball float (older style), try bending the metal rod down slightly. On newer models of toilets that use a float cup, you can adjust the float’s position by adjusting the screw or clip that holds the float in place.
The Fill Valve Is Leaking
The fill valve opens the water into the tank. If it is defective or worn, it could be allowing water to run constantly.
Open the tank and look at the fill valve (the tall thing on the left). If there is constant water oozing out of it, it needs to be replaced. Shut off the water, take out the old valve, and put in the new one based on the instructions.
The water pressure is excessive
Water pressure that is too high can lead to plumbing problems, such as a toilet that is always running. Excessive pressure prevents the fill valve from closing properly and it’ll let the water running.
Add a pressure-reducing valve to the main water line where it enters the house to protect your toilet and all your other plumbing fixtures as well.
The Overflow Tube Is Cracked
Your toilet tank won’t overflow due to the overflow tube diverting excess water to the bowl. If this tube is cracked, water might leak all the time.
Inspect the overflow tube for cracks or other defects. If it’s broken, you’ll have to replace it. Typically, this means you need to replace the entire flush valve assembly, a task you can take on yourself, or hire a plumber to get it done.
Sediment Is Interfering with Toilet Components
If you have hard water, minerals can accumulate in your toilet tank. The deposits compromise the function of the fill valve, flapper and other components.
Now and then, give the toilet tank a cleaning to prevent buildup. Soak any parts that show signs of white or rust stains in vinegar for a couple of hours. If the build-up is more extensive then you may need to go as far as replacing the affected parts.
The Toilet Is Old, and Deserves an Update
Sometimes, a constantly running toilet means your toilet is too old. Components die, and replacing a component best is not the most cost-effective.
If your toilet is more than 15 to 20 years old and requires a lot of repairs, installing a new, water-efficient model can ultimately save you money.
Day & Night Plumbing, There When You Need Us!
If you’ve already attempted these fixes and still have a running toilet, then it’s time to call in a plumber. Day & Night Plumbing, Heating & Cooling provides quick, dependable solutions for all of your plumbing problems.
We are proud of our work and will stand behind everything we do, so if you’re not completely satisfied, we’ll make it right. Call Day & Night Plumbing and together we can get your wild Albuquerque running toilet fixed now!
