A toilet that runs constantly is a common issue that most people know how to fix or at least know needs to be addressed by a plumbing professional. However, what if your toilet runs only occasionally? What is going on with that situation? Do you need to call a plumbing company in Marietta to help fix it? Here’s a look at why your toilet may be running intermittently and what you should do about it. The Most Common Cause In almost all situations when a toilet randomly runs, it is due to a bad flapper. The flapper is found inside the tank. It is usually black in color and covers the hole at the bottom of the tank. Its job is to keep the water in the tank when the toilet is not in use. When the toilet is flushed, it is the flapper’s job to lift away from the hole and release the water to flush the toilet. If the flapper gets worn out, it may not lay flat on the hole, allowing water to slowly leak out and lowering the amount of water in the tank. The tank then must be refilled, which is why you hear the toilet running intermittently. Testing the Flapper Before you call a plumbing company in Marietta, you can run a little test on your own to make sure the flapper is the problem. After you have flushed your toilet and the tank has refilled, add a small amount of food coloring to the water. When you hear the toilet running again, go check the water in the bowl. If it is colored, then you know the flapper is the problem, and you can call a professional to fix it. Another Possible Cause A tank running continuously is often related to the handle getting stuck. This can also cause intermittent running if the handle isn’t getting stuck every time. Perhaps it only happens every few times after someone has flushed. If you notice that the running always occurs after someone has flushed the toilet, then the handle could very well be what is causing your problem. Testing the Handle You can test your handle by watching it as you depress it. Simply remove the cover from the tank and watch as you depress the handle. Many times, the issue is not actually with the handle but with the chain that attaches the handle to the flapper. If the chain is damaged or otherwise not connected properly, it can get tangled or even stuck under the flapper, preventing the flapper from closing. It is also possible that the handle is worn out, so it is unable to float back to its proper position. Any of the issues can be easily fixed by a plumbing professional. If your toilet is running intermittently, it is just as serious of an issue as a constantly running toilet. You are wasting water and quite likely money. So, it is a good idea to make sure that you check out the situation and try to get it fixed as soon as possible by calling a plumbing company in Marietta.
Related Articles -
plumbing, company, marietta,
|