A hissing toilet could result in you losing water, and a lot of water every day, up to 50 gallons a day, believe it or not. So fixing a hissing toilet isn't just good for your piece and quiet late at night, but it will also save you from wasting a lot of water. To fix such a problem is not too difficult and, once you understand the working mechanisms of a toilet, you'll find that you can fix most things that go wrong.
Toilets are a wonderful invention, making our homes safe and healthy, and with modern plumbing and the latest technology, they don't tend to break down. It is optimal to have a check up system ready so that you can see an issue while it is still tiny rather than waiting for the toilet to need a replacement or pay for overpriced repairs. This will be a positive attribute, as I have discovered that a broken toilet usually happens at the most inconvenient times, such as my manager or pastor eating dinner at my house. Racing around with a plunger and smelling a little unpleasant doesn't create such a good impression.
So let's have a look at the toilet. You'll find that it is a relatively simple mechanism. There are, of course, all sorts of different designs, so when I say take the lid off the tank, you may have a tank that is separate from the bowl, or a tank that is appears to be a single unit with the bowl, or you may have a tank located within some sort of cabinet. Again, it is best to be prepared, and know how to take the lid off the toilet before there is an emergency, as it will be bound to be a harder task if you are in the middle of a panic.
Have a look inside the tank, and if you have an old-fashioned toilet, you'll notice that there may be over 13 liters of water in your tank. It may surprise you to learn that modern units flush with only six liters, and dual flush toilets use between three and six liters. You may be using a lot more water than you need and it could be worth your while to investigate alternative options.
Inside the tank, depending on the type of mchanism you own, there will be a fill valve which controls the flow of water into the toilet. It is connected to the water supply through the bottom of the tank. The discharge of tank water is controlled by the flush valve and the flapper, which is also called the stopper or tank ball, and is attached to the overflow pipe and sits over the top of the drain. When the button on top of the unit is pushed, the lever raises the flapper and permits the flow of water to the bowl.
If this is all working well, that's great news. However, if you a hissing sound, it may be that your water level is too high in which case you can fix it using the adjustment clip on the ballcock link or the cup mechanism. If there's water running down the refill tube into the overflow pipe then check the fill valve, or straighten the ballcock.
If you fail, then check the ballcock is not broken. If not then scrub out the dirt under the fill stopper caulking.
Recently retired plumbing contractor Scott Rodgers draws upon his extensive plumbing experience to offer you advice on the ways to maintain your bathroom plumbing. For more information visit www.eLocalPlumbers.com
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