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Common Water Issue in BC
Running Toilet or Phantom Flush
A toilet that runs intermittently or makes running water sounds between flushes is wasting water and silently increasing your water bill. The issue is almost always a worn flapper valve or fill valve that fails to seal properly. While usually a simple fix, a running toilet can waste 200+ litres per day if left unrepaired.
Possible Causes
- •Worn or misaligned flapper valve not sealing the flush valve opening
- •Fill valve not shutting off at the correct water level
- •Handle or flush linkage sticking in the open position
- •Mineral buildup on valve seats preventing proper seal
- •Cracked overflow tube allowing water to continuously drain
Recommended Steps
- 1Remove the toilet tank lid and observe the fill valve operation
- 2Check if water is flowing over the overflow tube (fill valve not shutting off)
- 3Perform a dye test — add food colouring to the tank and check if it appears in the bowl without flushing
- 4Replace the flapper valve and/or fill valve — inexpensive parts available at any BC hardware store
Related Services
Need Professional Help?
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