| One of the most frustrating things that any | | | | toilet tank (not bowl), waiting for the color to fully |
| homeowner can deal with is a leaking toilet. A Leaking | | | | disperse. If after 20-30 minutes the coloring is in the |
| Toilet means water everywhere and a much larger | | | | bowl, you flapper is leaking. |
| water bill. This is because a toilet leak can waste | | | | If the problem is the overflow tube there are few |
| anywhere from 50 to 100 gallons of water each day. | | | | possible solutions. This includes tightening the center |
| The truth is that in many cases a leaking toilet can | | | | valve screw, carefully bending the float ball arm |
| be a do-it-yourself project that will not only keep you | | | | downward, or pinching and sliding the silver clip down |
| from paying any unnecessary plumbing bills, but assist | | | | the fill valve rod. If the water level is that same after |
| you in saving you money on your water bill as well. | | | | all of these a few flushes, the fill valve may need |
| There are two main causes for a leaking toilet. The | | | | replacing. For the flapper, first wipe any build up from |
| first cause can involve water spilling into the overflow | | | | under the flapper and flapper seat, allowing it to fully |
| tube. The best way to determine if this is by | | | | close. If that doesn't work, turn off the water with |
| removing the lid of the toilet tank and checking the | | | | the shut valve, flush the toilet to drain it, and replace |
| water level in relation to the overflow tube, located | | | | the flapper. Flappers are very affordable and can be |
| in the center of the tank. If the water is less than a | | | | purchased at any local hardware store. |
| 1/2 inch from the top of the tube, then it is likely | | | | If none of these solutions work, then you should call |
| that this is the problem. The second reason for a | | | | in a professional plumber. Do-it-yourself techniques |
| Leaking Toilet is a worn flapper. The flapper, or flush | | | | can only take you so far before you risk making the |
| valve, can wear after a few years, making it difficult | | | | problem worse. There's no shame in calling on the aid |
| for the water to shut off. A great trick to determine | | | | of a professional, especially since you can say that |
| this is to drop about 7 drops of food coloring into the | | | | you tried. |