Written on: June 4, 2021
Did you know that most home plumbing leaks are found in the toilet tank?
These leaks are usually caused by worn parts or improper alignment of the flushing mechanism – and they could be costing you more water usage than you think over the course of a year.
Toilet leaks typically occur om two ways – the most common of which is one caused by a worn-out or defective flush valve or flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper or ball valve does not form a water-tight seal, water will leak into the toilet bowl – often without making a sound.
Here’s an easy way to check for a flush valve leak: Remove the tank lid and flush, then wait for the flapper/tank ball to drop and the toilet tank to refill. Once it does, add several drops of dark food coloring, then wait at least 20 minutes. If the coloring appears in the toilet bowl, there is a leak.
The second most common type of leak is caused by a poorly adjusted or broken fill valve. If the float is set too high or the shut-off valve doesn’t close, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. You can see this type of leak simply by taking the tank top off and watching to see if the water enters the overflow tube once the tank is full.
If one or both of these problems is happening with your toilet, you’re flushing money down the drain every month. Take care of the problem by calling a licensed, professional plumber today!
Did you know that Williams Energy offers a full line of professional plumbing services, including leak repairs, clogged drain service, spigot installs, and more? Contact us today to schedule service with one of our licensed master plumbers in the South Shore!