How to Put An End To Toilet Ghost Flushing From the Pros at Packs Hardware

The source of ghost flushing should be easy to explain, and prevention is a straightforward maintenance issue. Water is casually draining from the tank, frequently through a deteriorating flapper, and from lowering the float. When the float extends to its critical height, it switches on the water. To prevent this from happening, you may need to make sure all the tank seals are not damaged.

To analize the toilet flapper you can implement a Food Dye Test:

You will need these 3 items:

• Food Dye
• Toilet flapper
• Screwdriver

 

Put food dye in the back tank of the toilet and obstain from flushing for about 30 minutes. If the bowl water turns the same color as the dye, it could mean the flapper is leaking. Before replacing anything, check the length of the flapper to the flush handle. You may just need to lengthen the chain by one or two links. Repeat the dye test after you lengthen the chain. If the chain is too short, it prevents the flapper from seating in the siphon hole and could cause the type of leak that produces phantom flushing.

Changing the Flapper

If the dye still shows in the toilet bowl turn off the water supply and hold down the flush handle to empty the tank. Remove the flapper from the chain that connects it to the flush handle and unhook its two ears from the overflow tube. Take it to Packs Hardware and ask us questions. You should be able to buy an identical flapper replacement. There are many types of flappers, and they all will not fit your toilet.

Once you have purchased the new flapper, hook the ears to the overflow tube and connect the flush handle chain. Be sure to allow adequate slack for the flapper to seat fully. Turn on the water, fill the tank and try a few test flushes. When you are content the flapper is working properly, repeat the dye test again.

Look at that! You’re done you fixed your toilet!

Food dye still appearing?

Peek around for other clues of leakage from the tank if the bowl of water is discolored. investiagate the floor for small traces of water and touch the underside of the tank with your hands, notably at the points where the bolts join the tank to the bowl. Tighten the tank bolts with a screwdriver if you identify water next to them or on the floor.

 

Suggestion – If you have an older toilet, the flexible tube connecting the fill valve to the overflow tune could need water siphoned out of the tank because it is extending too far down the overflow tube. Cut the tube and clip it to the top of the overflow tube that is extending no more than an inch inside it.

Water pooling under the tank could be a sign of a fine crack in the tank. You might notice the water beading around it on the outside of the tank. If you find one, it is sometimes easier to purchase a new toilet then trying to repair it. Drop by Packs Hardware in Smithville so friendly associates can help you with some of your plumbing questions.