Toilet Repair 101: Fixing a Leaking Toilet

A leaking toilet can definitely be one of the most troublesome and frustrating bathroom and plumbing issues one can ever encounter. Needing to constantly have to check whether the toilet’s flush is working or not is definitely annoying, not to mention overly tedious. The worst part is, one may have already tried a variety of toilet repair methods all to no avail.

This particular toilet problem may manifest itself in several ways. One may experience a toilet that’s constantly running, even after it has already been filled up. Not only is this irritating but it is also a waste of water. The toilet’s tank never seems to get filled up. If this sounds familiar then it is best to try and see if the following tips will work.

There are a lot of reasons that may cause a leaking or a dripping toilet. Thankfully, one can make use of some diy toilet repair methods that should do the trick. More often than not, this problem may be caused by a faulty fill valve or flush valve. This is the seal that prevents the water from continuously flowing to the bowl.

Once the flush handle is pushed, this valve is lifted and the water in the tank gushes to the bowl to flush it. In most cases, the problem is as simple as a loosely sealed flush valve which causes the water to seep through to the bowl. Because of this, the tank never reaches its required water level thereby needing to continuously be filled with even more water from the source. In such cases, it’s as easy as repositioning the valve in such a way that it properly seals the tank.

However, there are also some cases wherein the fill valve may have been corroded over time. Some cleaning tablets placed by home owners in their tanks contain chlorine which may cause the corrosion of plastic material. While it is also effective in making the water even cleaner, it may also have long-term effects on the flush valve.

In this case, it may be necessary to have it replaced. One can actually very easily do it on one’s self without having to hire a professional plumber and pay him an odd £30 an hour. However, unless one has a toilet repair kit readily available, it may require a quick trip to the local hardware shop. One can even ask for some advice from the friendly sales clerk on how to install the flush valve properly.