Plumbing Tips
Toilet keeps running in Silver Spring? What now? 5 easy fixes
By All Purpose Anytime Services LLC
That sound at 2 a.m. is money. The EPA says a leaking toilet can waste about 200 gallons a day, and in Montgomery County every gallon lands on your WSSC Water bill. Most of the time the fix is inside the tank.
1. Jiggle the handle, then look at the chain
Too short and the flapper can't close. Too long and it gets caught under it. Leave a little slack.
2. Do the food coloring test
A few drops in the tank, no flushing, wait 15 minutes. Color in the bowl means the flapper is leaking.
3. Swap the flapper
The rubber wears out. It's the most common fix and the cheapest part in the tank.
4. Lower the water level
If water spills into the tall overflow tube, the fill valve is set too high.
5. Replace the fill valve
If lowering it doesn't stop the hiss, the valve itself is worn out.
When to call us
Cracked tank, water on the floor, or it still runs after new parts. In Montgomery County, most plumbing has to be done by a WSSC Water licensee. Ask for the number.
Still running after the fixes?
If the flapper and the fill valve did not stop it, tell us what you tried and we will bring the parts for what is left.