Is your toilet running constantly? That annoying sound means you’re wasting water—and money. A Houston toilet repair professional can help, whether it’s a simple fix or a bigger underlying plumbing issue.
Santhoff Plumbing provides fast and reliable plumbing repair for your home. Schedule a toilet repair service appointment with our Houston team today!
How a Toilet Works
Basically, your toilet has two main parts: the tank and the bowl. The tank is where the water hangs out until you need it. Inside the tank you have several components.
The Fill Valve: This controls how much water enters the tank and tells it when to stop.
The Flapper: This rubber seal sits at the bottom of the tank. It lifts up when you flush to let the water rush into the bowl, then closes tight to refill the tank.
The Overflow Tube: This tube prevents the tank from overflowing. It makes sure excess water escapes down into the bowl if the fill valve malfunctions.
The Flush Handle and Chain: These work together. You push the handle, which pulls the chain, which lifts the flapper.
When you flush, the chain lifts the flapper, allowing water to rush from the tank into the bowl. This creates a siphon effect, pulling waste down the drain. Once the tank is empty, the flapper closes, and the fill valve refills the tank to the correct level.
Houston’s Hard Water Can Cause Toilet Issues
Here in Houston, we love our city, but we don’t always love our water. The minerals in Houston’s hard water can wreak havoc on your plumbing, and your toilet is no exception. These minerals can build up inside your tank and bowl, leading to a whole host of problems.
Hard water leaves behind tiny mineral deposits every time it flows through your toilet. Over time, these deposits form limescale, a chalky, white substance that can:
- Clog the flush valve: This can cause weak flushes or prevent your toilet from flushing altogether.
- Damage the flapper: Limescale buildup can make the flapper stiff and prevent it from sealing properly, leading to a constantly running toilet.
- Create unsightly stains: Those stubborn brown stains in your toilet bowl? Yeah, that’s probably limescale.
So, while hard water might not be the direct cause of your running toilet, it can definitely contribute to the problem and make those repairs more frequent. Keep an eye out for limescale buildup and consider using a toilet cleaner specifically designed to combat mineral deposits.
Why is My Toilet Running?
The Flapper is Failing: This is the number one reason for a running toilet. If the flapper is old, warped, or doesn’t seal properly, water will constantly leak from the tank into the bowl. It might be cracked, have mineral buildup, or the chain might be tangled, preventing it from closing completely.
The Fill Valve is Finicky: The fill valve controls the water level in the tank. If it’s set too high, water will constantly flow into the overflow tube and down into the bowl. Sometimes, the fill valve itself can become worn out or clogged with sediment, causing it to malfunction and overfill the tank.
The Chain is the Culprit: The chain connecting the handle to the flapper needs to be the right length. If it’s too short, it won’t let the flapper close completely. Too long, and it might get tangled or stuck.
The Overflow Tube is Overwhelmed: The overflow tube is there to prevent a flood, but it can also cause a running toilet if it’s positioned incorrectly or blocked. If the water level in the tank is too high, water will constantly flow down the overflow tube.
In most cases, a running toilet is caused by one of these four issues. Fortunately, they are usually a pretty straightforward fix for a Houston toilet repair professional.
Should I Call a Plumber for Houston Toilet Repair?
Toilets seem simple, but even a minor DIY mistake can lead to bigger problems, like a flooded bathroom! If your toilet is leaking, making strange noises, or the problem keeps coming back, there might be a more serious underlying issue. A professional plumber can quickly diagnose bathroom plumbing problems and get your toilet working again.
Plumbing involves water and your home’s waste system. If you’re not 100% confident in your skills, it’s best to play it safe. Professionals have the experience and tools to handle any plumbing repair. They can ensure the repair is done right the first time, preventing future headaches and water damage, and saving you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Expert Houston Toilet Repair Done Right
Santhoff Plumbing is here for all your plumbing needs in Houston. Our experienced and professional plumbers are available 24 hrs a day to handle everything from minor leaks to major emergencies. Whether it’s a stubborn toilet, a clogged drain, or a leaky faucet, we’ve got you covered. We even handle gas lines and water heater installations.
Don’t wait for a plumbing disaster. Call Santhoff Plumbing today for fast and reliable plumbing service you can trust.