Many people don’t know that a running toilet can be a major cause for concern. A leaky toilet is one of the most common causes of water damage in your home.
If you notice any of these 8 warning signs, it’s time to call in the experts.
You may think that the only thing a running toilet wastes is water. There’s much more at stake here. Your bathroom plumbing is made of PVC and other materials that can withstand normal amounts of water pressure. But a constant flow of water going down the drain puts undue stress on these pipes. This stress can eventually lead to cracks, warping, or leaks.
Leaks are an obvious problem, but there are other ways that your bathroom plumbing can suffer as a result of a running toilet. For example, if the excess water flows into the shower or bathtub, it can cause mold growth or damage the grout between tiles. If your bathroom is carpeted, it could become soaked with water and start to grow mildew or mold.
Water bills can rise considerably when you’re dealing with a running toilet. Flushing alone uses about 3 gallons of water per flush, but if the toilet is constantly running and wasting water, that number will go up quickly.
Here are eight warning signs that something is wrong with your toilet and you need to fix it ASAP:
Don’t ignore a wobbly seat, because it could be the result of a cracked seat or loose screws. If you catch this early on, you can buy a replacement and fix it yourself or call a plumber to tighten things up.
If your toilet makes an odd gurgling sound or you see water backing up in your pipes, that’s usually a sign that something is definitely wrong with the plumbing.
Those bolts are usually made from brass, so if you spot any rust on them, it’s time to replace them before they cause internal damage to the toilet.
Chances are there’s a small leak somewhere in your system that causes the water to run continuously, which will continue to increase your water bill until you get it fixed.
This is usually caused by either sediment buildup in your water lines, which is causing a blockage, or possibly an issue with the fill valve itself.
This is a biggie. Water trickling into the tank between flushes is a sign of a worn flapper valve or a poor flush valve seal. Both need to be replaced right away. Water running into the bowl via the overflow tube means you have a leaky ballcock. That needs to be fixed ASAP too because the extra water can crack the porcelain bowl and cause a flood.
A rocking toilet is unstable and can lead to cracks in the porcelain that will require you to replace the entire unit (not just the tank). The wax ring that attaches to the bottom of the toilet should be replaced at least once every few years anyway, but if you see any sign of leaks around the base of your toilet, replace it ASAP.
If the water in the toilet bowl drops very quickly, then you may have a problem with your flush system (also called the cistern). The most common reason for this is a fill valve that isn’t working properly. This is one of the easy fixes that you can do yourself, but if it isn’t set properly or if the valve itself is broken, then you’ll need to call in a plumber.
Here are some of the most common causes of a constantly running toilet:
If your toilet is running all the time and driving up your water bill, you can stop it by replacing the flapper.
Here’s how to do it:
Is your water heater constantly running out of hot water? Is your toilet constantly running or has a leak? Do you have old pipes that are constantly breaking, flooding your home, and causing major damage? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is time to replace your plumbing.
We offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services in New York City and the surrounding areas. When you choose us for all your plumbing needs, we will provide you with quality service at an affordable price. Our team of qualified plumbers will repair and replace your pipes, toilets, sinks, and more when you need it most. We are dedicated to providing our customers with superior service and will ensure your satisfaction every time.
When you call our team of licensed plumbers, we will arrive at your home or business quickly to assess the situation. From there, we can determine if we can repair or replace the plumbing or if the problem is something else. We can also work with insurance companies in the event that you have a major claim due to a broken pipe or other plumbing issues.
If you need emergency plumbing services in New York City or surrounding areas, contact us today so we can get started immediately.