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Blog Entry 3 of 39 Got a small plumbing job and don't want to pay big

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My toilet keeps running! Why??

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Contributed by: Micheal Gieger on 10/11/2006

I usually don't share the fragile components of my patient's problems but Brendan Leonard has some serious issues ... with his toilet intermittently running. I'm going to break the doctor/patient confidentiality this one time and share Brendan's private place predicament for the good of all.

Brendan writes:
Dr. Plumb -- Why do I keep moving into apartments where the handle has to be jiggled on the toilet to stop it from constantly running? It seems to me that this is a common problem. Also, is there an easy fix, or do I need to call in the property manager? Thanks.

Plumbers love toilet problems because of their simplicity. The two components in the tank are the fill valve and the flush valve (see picture).

The fill valve automatically fills the tank to a desired level and shuts off on its own through the use of a float.

The flush valve empties the water from the tank and down into the bowl. The user initiates the flush by depressing the flush handle. The handle pulls the flapper (see picture) at the bottom of the tank sending the stinkies sanitarily sewer bound.

Aaaaahhhhh the flapper ... we've all tried messing with this slippery rubber stopper. Water slowly escapes past the flapper and into the bowl. After the tank water level drops, the fill valve opens and refills the tank.

This is where Brendan needs to start.

Turn off the water supply to the toilet with the shut-off valve under the toilet tank (see picture) and flush the water from the tank into the bowl. You can also hold the float valve in the "up" position once you're ready to replace the flapper. Try to identify the brand name first. It should be stamped somewhere.

Run over to your favorite hardware store and purchase a replacement flapper. There should be about 10,000 different replacement flappers (I'm joking) so get the brand that matches your toilet. If you were unable to identify the brand then try a couple different flappers that look similar to the one you're replacing. Flappers are cheap and you can always return the parts you don't use.

Pulling it off the overflow tube of the flush valve easily disconnects the flapper. Be careful not to force the flapper off. The valve parts can be brittle so take your time with it. Once you've removed the existing flapper, install the new flapper and give it a try.

Issues with flappers vary from age to mixing brand names with others. One culprit is said to be the sanitary cakes people add to the tank. Blue water is great, but these additions void warranties on new toilets and parts because they react and break down certain materials.

Fluidmaster has introduced a new toilet bowl cleaning system that is inexpensive. The Flush 'N Sparkle bypasses the water stored in the tank and injects solution down the overflow of the flush valve and directly into the bowl. I've installed a few of these and highly recommend them.

Give the flapper a try and see if it doesn't rectify the rambunctious receptacle. If your toilet continues its unwanted banter, then write me and we'll talk more.

Thanks, Brendan.

P.S. - Brendan, this is an inexpensive fix for you, but problems beyond that should be your landlord's.

Dr. Plumb

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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

Submitted By: Barbara Neff

posted on 10/12/2006 @ 3:48:24 PM

Rated Blog Entry

Dr. Plumb, why does our hot water tank have a narrow piece of copper pipe running to a drain in our basement floor? Why would water ever dribble from the tank? Please don't reveal my identity. Confidentially yours, Barbara Neff Castle Rock

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Submitted By: Brendan Leonard

posted on 10/12/2006 @ 10:24:03 AM

Rated Blog Entry

Thanks, Dr. Plumb. I will let you know how this works out.

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Submitted By: Seth Davis

posted on 10/11/2006 @ 4:37:48 PM

Rated Blog Entry

I think you just helped out a LOT of people, Micheal. Thanks for your advice.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Micheal Gieger

Arvada , CO

Micheal Gieger has posted 39 blog entries and 11 comments since joining on 10/2/2006. Micheal Gieger 's average blog rating is 4.89.

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