To solve serious plumbing problems affecting your toilet like a clogged sewer pipe or water leaks from burst supply lines, you'll need the help of a professional plumber. If you'd rather fix minor problems yourself, try troubleshooting your toilet using these tips before calling in the pros.
Shocking Shower Scalds
If you're tired of those mid-shower scalds that occur when someone flushes, it's possible to make them less traumatic. You just need to slow the flush rate on every toilet by turning the shutoff valve until it's about half a turn from being fully closed.
Endless Running
Wasteful, non-stop running is a sign that the flapper valve isn't going back into place properly when the tank refills. A build-up of scale that needs to be cleaned off the valve seat can cause this, as can a chain that's too short. To lengthen the chain, just unhook it and reattach it a few links farther down.
Eerie Moaning
If you hear strange moaning noises coming from the bathroom at night and you're on municipal water, you're being warned that the ball cock inside the tank is worn. At night when everyone's sleeping, municipal water pressure rises and makes the worn ball cock vibrate and moan.
Ghostly Flushing
Phantom flushes can occur when the tank's flapper valve becomes worn and starts allowing water to seep out. When the bowl fills up, the toilet will flush on its own. If you decide to install a new valve to solve the problem, make sure the replacement is identical to the old one.
Double Flushing
When a toilet flushes twice and you've pressed the lever only once, the tank's water level is too high. To stop this waste of water, you'll need to keep adjusting the fill valve float until the repeat flushing stops.
Noisy Tank Refills
If the sound of rushing water is excessively loud when the tank refills after a flush, it's easily fixed. Simply turn the shutoff valve slowly to gradually reduce the fill rate until the noise volume drops sufficiently.
For expert help troubleshooting your toilet problems, contact the Tulsa area plumbing pros at Air Assurance.
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