Fixing the Two Common Flush Toilet Faults

A toilet’s tank is the core of a toilet system. All the major plumbing activities take place here. Because of this the toilet tank is where most of your toilet repairs happen. However, the major purpose of the tank is storing the water needed to flush the toilet after use. It is also charged with concealing all the plumbing apparatus that helps to fill and empty the tank.

​Because of this, the tank contains so many different parts that will need repair in case they breakdown. Here are a number of repairs that flush toilets require and which should be repaired instantly.

​Flush Valve: Float Ball Doesn’t Work

​The flush valve uses a tapered rubber float ball or sometimes a flapper ball. This two enables a smooth control of how water flows into the toilet. Flapper balls are often found in the latest flush valves. They are connected to the toilet’s handle lift arm using a lift chain.

​Float balls on the other hand are more common to the conventional flush valves. They are designed to work by lifting and dropping right into the valve’s opening. A float ball is usually connected to the handle lift arm using a lift wire that works with a guide arm.

​The float ball is hollow. It floats on top of the water as the water gets filled in the toilet tank. When the water is filled to the required level, the ball moves its attached float arm to turn off the water flow by shutting the ballcock. This stops the flow of water instantly too.

In case your float ball fails to work, it allows water to overflow into the toilet tank and cause wet surfaces all over your toilet floor. You can always bend the float arm and tighten the float ball with a screw driver until it gives you the desired water flow shut off you need. 

​Your Flushing Toilet Runs Constantly

​A running toilet in the house can be a real nuisance. The constant drip drop sound can be so annoying and will easily drive you crazy. Not only that, in worst case scenario it can also cause your water bill to hit above the roof and also reduce a home’s energy efficiency.

​The problem of a running toilet is majorly found at the toilet’s flapper. If the chain is not connected properly your toilet will definitely run. You should also check your toilet’s fill valve, tank water level, and float any fault in these might as well cause the running too.

​Fortunately, if you address this issue in time you will be able to reduce on your water usage. Here is how to find out if your toilet is leaking and fix the cause of your leaks fast.

​Understand How a Toilet Works

​This will help you to make all the necessary repairs easily. Here is the basic rundown of how your flush toilet works: visit https://toiletrated.com/best-dual-flush-toilet-reviews/ for details.

​On pressing the flush button or on pulling the flush handle the lift chain in the tank lifts a flap. The flapper when lifted allows water in your toilet’s tank to flow easily into the toilet bowl to wash off the waste.

​As the water drains, through the bowl and into the drain, the flapper drops and closes the opening. A large plastic float ball drops just as the water flows into the bowl. The ball will float as the water rises and eventually close the flow inlet to prevent water from flowing in when the tank is once more full.

​Some of the best tanks also have an overflow tube. The tube usually drains excess water into the toilet’s bowl in case the water levels in the toilet tank get too high. This prevents wet and slippery toilet surfaces.

​Finding the Source of the Leakage

The source of your toilet’s leak can stem from very many different issues. Some of the most common issues that many toilet users have raised included the following options.

  • Faulty flappers
  • Broken fill valves
  • Low or high water levels
  • Water-logged floats
  • Mineral buildup

​It is important to understand how each and every one of these issues can cause your toilet to run and if possible find the best solution to all of them.

Faulty Flappers: In many occasions and after long periods of usage, the flappers to a flushing toilet will become hard. This will prevent them from creating an adequate seal. When this happens they become inconsistent and may run. You can feel the flapper. If it’s still soft it will hold back water.

You can also check the chain connected to your toilet’s flapper to make sure that it isn’t catching on anything. An oversized chain can also be replaced or threaded through a soda straw to eliminate tangles.

The Water Level: Ideally the right water level in your toilet’s tank should sit between one-half and one inch below the main opening of the toilet’s overflow tube. If it doesn’t, it might trigger a running toilet. The best thing to do is to adjust your water levels depending on the type of float that you have on.

Ball floats are common in many conventional toilet models. They use a screw located at the base of the float arm in case you want to raise or lower the float of your toilet. Ask an expert if you fail with user manual.

​If you don’t have any expertise you shouldn’t engage in repairing any faults that you find in your up flush toilet. The same applies when you can’t make sense of the user manual or any DIY guide. It is often best to look for a pro plumber to help out. This can prevent the damage from getting worse.

​Conclusion

​When looking for an expert plumber there are a number of things that you should consider including level of experience, professional background, reviews, specialty, tools of trade, and any awards for the company. The plumber should also be insured and permitted to work in the field.

​Summary

​Flushing toilets have many other faults that they might experience. They include clogged drainages, leaky tanks, low water flow, and many others. You should always take your time to understand all the problems that you could face and how to fix them.

 

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