What Are the Different Types of Drainage Grates in the UK?
Drain Repair & Replacement
Struggling with selecting drainage grates for your UK property? Avoid costly repairs with expert guidance on materials, load ratings, and maintenance.
Is your toilet running? Well, you better go catch it! (Sorry…)
Of all the issues your plumbing can have, a toilet that won’t stop running has got to be one of the most frustrating.
Not only are you forced to listen to a constant trickling sound, annoying everyone in your household, but you’re also wasting a ton of water.
It’s bad for your wallet, the environment, and your nerves. So what do you do?
Luckily, a toilet that won’t stop running isn’t usually an indicator of a larger problem. It can often be treated at home, but some cases may call for the help of a professional.
Experts in all things plumbing, the team at Greenstar have over three decades of experience dealing with a number of toilet, sink, and shower problems. In this guide, we discuss the various reasons your toilet won’t stop running, as well how they can be fixed.
A toilet that runs 24/7 is usually caused by one of four problems.
Not to be confused with a woman from the 1920s, the flapper is the small rubber or plastic stopper that sits on top of the flush valve in your toilet’s cistern tank. Its purpose is to allow water to flow into the bowl during flushing. After flushing, it closes and seals the flush valve opening, allowing the tank to refill.
If a flapper is old or damaged, it won’t create the strong seal needed to stop water from leaking through. This means that water will drip or run into the toilet non-stop.
To fix this, your only option is to replace the flapper outright. This would involve turning off the water supply, draining the tank and bowl, and using tools to remove the old flapper and insert the new.
Even if the flapper itself is working fine, its chain may not be. The chain is what connects the flapper to the tank. When you press down on the handle to flush the toilet, the chain lifts the flapper, allowing water to pass through.
If the chain is too long, it could get trapped under the flapper. This prevents the flapper from creating a solid seal, causing water to leak through.
To fix this, the chain will need to be trimmed with cutting pliers.
As the name suggests, the refill tube is what refills the toilet after flushing. It is a rubber tube that transports water from the fill valve into the overflow tube of the flush valve.
A toilet can keep running if the refill tube is too long. This can suction water out of the fill valve and into the tank, causing a toilet to keep running.
To shorten the refill tube, it will need to be removed from the overflow and attached to the side of the overflow tube.
Your toilet’s float is responsible for controlling the water levels in the cistern tank. Shaped like a ball or (in more modern toilets) an upturned cup, the float drops as water leaves the tank and rises as it refills. It will rise until it reaches 'fill level', which shuts off the flow of water. This level should be lower than the overflow tube and fill valve of the toilet.
Water can keep running if the float is set too high. If it is simply out of position, it can be adjusted relatively easily by bending the arm with a screwdriver. If it is cracked, however, it will need to be replaced.
When your toilet won’t stop leaking, it’s important it’s fixed as soon as possible. The quicker you get it looked at, the more water (and money) you’ll save – and the less you have to listen to that annoying trickle!
If you don’t feel confident tackling the problem yourself, it’s best to call in an expert. They’ll be able to examine your toilet more closely, using specialist tools to diagnose and fix the problem for the long term. A minor problem like this should be relatively easy for an expert to fix, so getting it looked at shouldn’t cost you much time or money.
At Greenstar, we have nearly three decades of experience fixing malfunctioning plumbing. We’ve dealt with problems of all types and sizes, and will get your toilet back in working order within hours.
When you call us on our 24/7 emergency line, we will strive to arrive at your property within two hours. We will provide you with a competitively priced, fixed rate quote, and promise not to surprise you with any hidden fees down the line.
No matter what problem you’re facing, Greenstar will have it sorted in no time.
Call us at 01202 355 344 to arrange for emergency toilet repairs today!
Recent Posts
Struggling with selecting drainage grates for your UK property? Avoid costly repairs with expert guidance on materials, load ratings, and maintenance.
Discover the common signs of drainage issues and why early repairs are essential. Trust Greenstar Services for expert drainage repair and maintenance. Contact us today!
Learn practical DIY drainage fixes for common issues like clogs and slow drains. Discover when to call Greenstar Services for expert repairs and long-term solutions.
