An average leaking toilet will waste up to 78,000 gallons of water per year. Think about it – that’s enough water to fill two average-sized backyard swimming pools. What follows are some common toilet problems and their solutions.
Faulty flapper: The majority of toilet leaks are caused by a faulty or worn flapper – the same thing that causes you to jiggle the tank handle. Over time, the rubber stopper at the base of the tank can become brittle, worn, dirty or misaligned with the flush valve seat, or the seat itself can get so corroded that the stopper will not seal properly. This creates a leak that lowers the tank’s water level, causing the fill valve to turn on and refill the tank.
This can be fixed by cleaning the flapper or tank ball and drain seat thoroughly using a brush or scouring pad. If the leak persists, remove the existing flapper and replace it with a new one.
Overflow pipe/flush valve: Sometimes the overflow pipe or flush valve assembly can become so corroded it creates leaks that lower a tank’s water level, causing the valve to turn on and refill the tank. The best fix is to replace the flush valve assembly with a new one that will work for your particular toilet.
Another overflow-related problem occurs when the water level is set too high and reaches the top of the overflow pipe when the fill valve shuts off. This results in small amounts of water pouring into the overflow pipe, causing the valve to turn on to refill the tank. This can usually be solved by setting the tank water to a lower level.
There are various ways to do this depending upon the type of toilet and style of flush valve. Some valves have an adjustment screw while others have an adjustment clip located on the link of the valve. An old trick is to bend the rod that travels between the flush valve and the float ball. However, this can backfire if the rod rotates a half turn where the water line raises and water goes pouring down the drain.
Fill valve: Another common problem that causes a toilet to leak is a fill valve that won’t shut off, leaving water continually pouring down the overflow pipe. This is usually caused by debris that becomes lodged under the valve’s seal. Debris can consist of hard water (calcium) deposits, tiny pieces of corroded pipe, pebbles or solder, which are transported to the seal via the water pipe.
The simplest means of dealing with this problem is to shut off the water supply to the toilet and remove the valve top. Cover the opening with an inverted cup and turn the water on and off a few times to flush the valve and remove water line debris. If the problem persists after flushing the fill valve, the valve seal is probably cracked or split. Replacing the seal will usually solve the problem.
Planning a painting project? Start rounding up plastic grocery bags to save money and time and avoid mopping up spills with rags. When it’s time to paint, put your roller tray inside a plastic bag. When you’re through, throw the bag away; the tray will stay like new, time after time. Such bags keep paint-filled brushes from drying out, too. If you can’t get your project finished in one day, put your roller and brushes away, paint and all, in a plastic bag in the refrigerator overnight. And when you’re through painting, put a bag over your hand before you pull off the roller cover and put another bag over the paint can before you hammer the lid back on. This prevents the floor and walls from being spattered.
Want to add a touch of elegance to your home? Try wainscoting. It has been used for centuries to make rooms and hallways look more luxurious. It involves adding wood paneling halfway up the wall, usually up to about 40 inches from the floor. There’s a hidden bonus, too. It’s just the right height to prevent wall damage from wayward chair backs. Wainscoting often combines two different types of wall materials: rich wood paneling down below and paint or a tasteful fabric or wallpaper above.
For more home improvement tips and information from James and Morris Carey, visit their Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call 800-737-2474 Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 8 a.m. every Saturday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
