Stop the Running

Few things are more annoying than a continuously running toilet. Not only is it a nuisance, but it can also lead to a much higher water bill. Andrew August, a Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchise owner in Freehold, New Jersey, suggests calling your local Mr. Rooter to help remedy the situation. What should you tell him? Here are a few tips to help you identify the problem, as well as a few key parts in your toilet, and communicate that to your Mr. Rooter technician.

Remove the toilet tank cover and look inside. Has the chain leading to the flapper come loose or become kinked? When you press on the flapper, does this stop the running water? The flapper and its opening (also called the seat) may need to be cleaned or replaced.

Is water running into the overflow pipe? When you lift up on the float arm (a metal rod with a plastic ball on the end), or the plastic canister float that slides up and down a plastic pipe, does the water stop? If so, the fill valve is not completely shutting off the water, and the entire fill valve assembly may need to be replaced.

Fixing these problems can sometimes be a straight-forward, do-it-yourself repair for a handy homeowner. However, if you are at all unsure on how to proceed, call in a Mr. Rooter expert. "Sometimes homeowners misdiagnose the problem. We can save time and money by fixing it right the first time," notes Andrew August.