It’s not unusual for toilets to make noises. However, if the noises get unusually loud, or if they never seem to stop, then this is a problem. You should never, for example, have a toilet that sounds as though it’s constantly filling up, or a toilet making weird vibrating noises.
If you notice you have a toilet that’s constantly running, this is not only going to be annoying due to the constant sounds, but it will also cost you a good deal of money due to wasted water. With this in mind, here are some tips from a plumber in Modesto, CA for how you can resolve this issue.
Inspect the float
Open up the lid to the tank and pull up on the float arm. If the toilet does not run any more when you pull the float up slightly higher than it’s currently sitting in the water, then the solution to your problem is going to be pretty easy. All you’ll need to do is readjust its position. Depending on the type of parts you have in your toilet, there might be an adjustment screw on the top of the fill valve, or there could be an adjuster on the pole on which the float is attached.
Check the fill valve
Another potential cause for a constantly running toilet is a malfunction with the fill valve. There’s a chance it’s not turning off the water when it should, which means the toilet will run constantly. If this happens in your toilet, you’ll need to replace the fill valve.
You can check to see if this is the problem by lifting up on the toilet float. If the valve shuts off the water flow when the float pulls up, then it’s still working fine—you just need to adjust the float. If the valve does not shut off the water flow, though, then the fill valve is the problem and it needs to be replaced.
Check the flapper
There’s also a possibility that problems with the flapper are causing the toilet to run constantly. If the flapper seal is misaligned, you could be hearing water slowly leaking out of the tank into the toilet bowl. This is most likely to happen if the flapper is improperly aligned, damaged or dirty. If realigning or cleaning the flapper doesn’t work, you’ll need to replace it.
You can check to see if this is the problem by using the dye test. Put a few drops of food coloring in the water in the tank and let it sit for several hours. If you return to find traces of the dye in the toilet bowl, this means you have a leak going into the bowl, likely caused by a problem with the flapper.
For more information about the various problems that could be causing your unusual toilet sounds and the steps you can take to resolve them, reach out to Alvarado Pumping Septic Service today to speak with an experienced plumber in Modesto, CA.