Is Your Toilet Leaking?
Do you feel that your water bill is running a little higher than normal? Does it seem that your toilet is not working as properly as it should? Many times these problems are caused by a leak in your toilet and here are some simple steps to find out if that is the case:
If you use an automatic bowl-cleaning device, remove it. When all coloring is gone, you're ready for the next step.
At least 5 minutes after the last flush cycle, carefully remove the toilet tank cover.
Gently add 4 to 5 drops of blue, green, or red food coloring into the tank (not the bowl). DO NOT FLUSH.
Wait 10 to 15 minutes. If you find color in the bowl, there's a leak.
Common causes of toilet leaks include:
The flapper valve or valve seat has deteriorated.
The flushing arm or lift chain is not working properly.
The tank water level is too high and spills into the overflow.
The float rod, ballcock or float ball may be corroded.
Leaks in toilets always get larger and more costly over time. The sooner repairs are made, the more quickly you can start saving water and money. Our plumbers carry most standard parts on their trucks and can usually have any of these problems solved in a quick and timely manner.
More Water Savings Information:
Toilets are one of the largest consumers of household water. Old, high-volume toilets use as much as 6 gallons per flush, compared to new Ultra-Low Flush (ULF) toilets which use only 1.6 gallons per flush or High Efficiency toilets (HET) which use 1.28 gallons per flush. You could save as much as 10,000 gallons of water per year by replacing your high volume toilets with ULF or HET models.
Many people can also mistake old and inefficient toilets for drain stoppages. If your toilet is considerably older than normal, it could be that the entire toilet is just old, and of poor design and just needs to be replaced. Rather than calling and paying a plumber every few weeks to try and clear the drain, it could be more cost effective in the long run to replace the toiet. We are happy to supply you with a good residential toilet or can also install one of your choosing.
Also, your local water district usually will offer various rebates for when you take steps to save water. Below is a list of some of those various districts in our area:
If you have any other questions or concerns, or would like to scheudle an appointment to have any plumbing in your home or business looked at, do not hesitate to contact us today!
