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Why is My Toilet Continuously Running?

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Why is My Toilet Continuously Running?

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A toilet that keeps running after its last use may seem like a minor annoyance (as long as it’s not flooding). However, the amount of water a malfunctioning toilet wastes will quickly add up. A run-on-toilet can use up to 2 gallons of water a minute. That means in only an hour, you’ll waste 120 gallons of water! Even though a running toilet may not seem like an emergency, you need to get the problem fixed as soon as you can.

But the question you’ll have now is: “Can I do it myself?” That depends. Sometimes, fixing a running toilet requires only a few minutes to check over malfunctions in the tank and make adjustments. Other times, it will need the work of a professional plumber. We’ll walk through a few steps to see what you can attempt on your own.

When it’s time to call for a plumber in Delaware County, Chester County and the Main Line, turn to Wm. Henderson Plumbing & Heating Inc. Our 40 years of experience speaks for itself.

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What to do about a toilet that keeps running

If your toilet keeps running in your home, remove the lid from the toilet tank and carefully set it aside. (Replacing a broken tank lid is more expensive than replacements or repairs to any of the components inside the tank!) Look over the mechanisms inside the tank as you pull on the handle to see if you can immediately spot something that doesn’t look as if it’s working right. If the toilet in your home keeps running, this be be caused by the chain to the flapper on the bottom of the tank: if the chain is tangled or too tight, it might prevent the flapper from closing all the way. Sometimes you can get it untangled, but otherwise it will need replacement. The flapper itself might have deteriorated and lost its seal, and this will also require replacement.

Check the float, which gauges the level of water in the tank and activates the ballcock to close off the flow. A broken float will cause water to continue to flow. The problem might be inside the ballcock itself, and this is a case where it’s best to leave the job to a plumber.

If you cannot diagnose the problem yourself from looking over the tank, don’t try to tamper with the mechanisms, as you could cause new problems. Plumbers have experience handling all sorts of plumbing problems with toilets, and always have with them the parts to make a quick replacement. Call a local plumber and have him or her inspect the tank and fix the trouble.

Although you shouldn’t panic when your toilet starts running nonstop, you still should get on the phone with a plumber to prevent major water waste. Wm. Henderson Plumbing & Heating Inc. can provide you the service you need so to stop money from going down the drain.

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