Running Toilets… A problem that may appear at any time!

Have you been hearing your toilet making sounds and acting as a rogue toilet?

Fsssssssshhhhh!

If your toilet won’t stop filling up or it fills up recurrently without being flushed, don’t worry; there’s a big possibility the problem may be just inside your toilet tank.

Follow these steps to learn how to fix a running toilet. Even if you’re not very “handy” you may be able to fix it. The key is in having the right tools, the right parts, the ability to read, and lots of patience. In the event you feel you need help, you can contact our friendly and professional Benjamin Franklin Plumbers. 

Please follow these 6 easy steps:

1. Remove the Lid on the top of your toilet tank:

This will help you to identify the source of the problem.

To figure out which part of the toilet is leaking see the image below:

A: Handle
B: Rubber flapper: Blocks the tank water from descending into the bowl. It is connected to the toilet flush lever above.
C: Pump which refills the tank after it empties.
D: Float which raises and lowers with the water level to tell the pump when to go and stop.
E: Overflow tube, what sets the high water level in the tank.

2. Turn off the water connecting to the toilet by tightening the silver knob on the   wall behind the toilet:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet-common-causes-easy-diy-fixes-200209

             

      3.  Check the connection between the handle and the rubber flapper: 

         

    Check the connection between the flush lever and the rubber flapper it's attached to. The chain must be short but if it is extra-long, you just need to move the clip down to replace it for one shorter.

4. Check the rubber flapper:

It could be that the flapper is not seating properly. Over time, the flapper can bend or break at the hinge, and start to leak, to check this, take a close look to the flapper and check if there are any vertical lines of discoloration, if's so, and this should be replaced. To switch it out, simply disconnect the old one from the chain and attach the new one.

Sometimes you can tweak the hinge on the valve to get it to seat properly.

      

If the flapper doesn’t leak and the water still runs, inspect the stopper valve.

https://www.plumbingsupply.com/tototoiletparts-ultramax.html

      

5. Check the Overflow tube: 

If the trouble with the running toilet, pressing down the flapper doesn’t work, the cause might be the overflow tube; which drains excess water when the tank fills too high. If you see that the fill tube is under water, cut it back so that the tube clears the water level.

6. Check the Float Position:

The traditional float is a big ball at the end of a rod that controls the valve that fills the tank after a flush.  if the tank isn’t filling up as much as needed to flush properly, make sure the float isn’t leaking.  If it is, it’ll need replacing.

It may also happen, that the float is bent, the simplest way to  fix this is bending the rod connecting the float to the pump so that the float is lower and it will signal the pump to turn off sooner. If the arm won't bend, then it might be time to call Benjamin Franklin the Plumber.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet-common-causes-easy-diy-fixes-200209

Next time you hear the sound of a leaky toilet, go in the bathroom and start checking your tank and see if you can identify an easy fix, there is a good chance you can do it on our own, but just in case there is a bigger problem or simply just can’t solve on your own, it may be time to make the call to Benjamin Franklin as soon as possible.

Our experts will help you assess your best options and help you make the right choice. We offer you an in-depth review of products and repair techniques so that you can make informed decisions on your plumbing needs. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, home to the best Treasure Coast and North Palm Beach plumbing services, is ready for any of your plumbing needs!

We hope you enjoy this complimentary #PlumbingTip from your friendly neighborhood plumber.  www.benfranklinplumber.com

Resources: 

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet-common-causes-easy-diy-fixes-200209

http://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet/#.VvLfOOIrLmg

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How to Choose a Plumbing Company

Selecting the right plumbing company can take the stress and frustration out of your repair needs.

• License - Ask that they provide you with a State License number or a copy of the license.

• Check for Proof of Insurance – For your own protection, check for both workman’s compensation and general liability.

• Business Stability – Find out how long the companies been in business and how long they have been at the present location.

When looking for a reliable plumbing company, you cannot simply rely on hourly rates. While some will charge according to “time and material” other companies will charge a “flat rate”. When you get an estimate from a company, be sure to ask what will be included in the scope of work.

Make sure you have it in writing!

Remember, the company quoting a low rate may not necessarily be the right company for you. Some companies will quote low prices to secure the job and then add on additional fees at the end of the job. Make sure you are quoting apples for apples.

Most warranties will range from 90 days to one year from the average plumbing company. The better quality plumbing companies that offer annual maintenance memberships will often provide warranties from 2 – 10 years depending on the products and services selected.

Do your homework - Read customer reviews!

Research places like the Better Business Bureau, Google, YP.com, Angie’s List, Yelp or Facebook. If you are researching a large company or a franchise make sure you are looking at the local reviews. This is a good way to measure what type of service that you should expect form the local business.

We recommend you visit Benjamin Franklin Plumbing’s website www.benfranklinplumber.com and click on the button that says “Click to see our reviews”. You will be able to see what their customers are saying about the service they provide.

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Common toilet problems we've all experienced – here's how to fix them!

At any point, anybody can come across a sudden toilet problem. A lot of these problems are common and can be remedied. Here are some common toilet problems one may experience and how to fix them.

Water on floor – This may be caused by a leak. To fix this, check all connections to locate the leak. It may also be caused by a cracked tank, which means it will have to be replaced to remedy the problem. Also, water on the floor may be caused by a faulty wax ring that should be replaced. Flusher too weak - This could be a result of hard water deposits in the toilet. An easy way to fix this is with wooden sticks, but it will be more effective to use an acid wash. However, acid wash is dangerous and it should be kept away from eyes, skin, clothes, floor, and basically everything but the toilet. Also, it cannot be used if there is a septic system unless you disassemble the toilet. Toilet clogs – If a toilet is clogged, use a plunger in the bowl, making sure that there is enough water. Move the plunger up and down to remove the clog so the toilet will flush normally. Dropping bowl water level – This may be caused by a siphoning of water from the bowl due to a partial clog. To determine if this is the problem, empty the bowl of water and check if there is a clog using a flashlight and mirror. If there is no clog, there may be a crack in the bowl which can only be remedied by replacing the cracked bowl. Stuck toilet handle – This could be a result of a buildup of lime on the mounting nut. This can be fixed by simply cleaning the mounting nut with vinegar. Slow-filling toilet – A slow-filling toilet could be caused by the water supply not being properly open. To remedy this, make sure the valve is open and that all its parts are functional and clean. Toilet doesn’t flush all the way – Check to see if there is too much slack in the lift chain. If there is, lessen the slack. If this isn’t the problem, it could be a low water level in the tank or an improperly installed flapper. Check the water level to see if this is the problem. Also, make sure the flapper is properly installed if this is the problem.

Visit our website at: http://www.benfranklinplumber.com/ 

Email us at: info@benfranklinplumber.com 

Our phone numbers are listed below for your convenience:

ST. LUCIE (772) 236-6080

MARTIN (772) 214-3848

PALM BEACH (561) 316-9007

INDIAN RIVER (772) 617-0370

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