News

Do You Know How to Fix a Leaky Toilet?

Toilet leaks are the largest water waster in your home.

Do you know if your toilet is getting the right amount of water? If not, now is the time to check, because you could be wasting thousands of gallons each month without knowing it.

If your toilet continuously runs, the water level in the tank may be too high, resulting in water flowing over the top of the overflow tube (see image below). If your toilet is not flushing well, the tank water level may be too low (or you have a clogged waste line). The correct water level should be inscribed on the inside of the tank or indicated on the overflow tube. If you are unable to find a water level mark, a good rule of thumb is to adjust the level to one inch below the top of the overflow tube.

To adjust the water level in older toilet tanks, just turn the screw atop the fill valve. Newer toilets may have a float cup that slides up and down the fill valve, so you’ll have to adjust the stiff wire link. Please note that even new toilets may need water-level adjustments as the toilet is broken in.

Additionally, toilet flappers are prone to harden over time, which causes them to create an intermittent leak, resulting in higher water bills. When the rubber on a toilet flapper becomes hardened or deteriorated, the water level in the toilet tank will slowly drop over minutes or hours, to the point that the toilet tank will have to refill. If your toilet has been fitted with the wrong flapper, the flapper could potentially stick open after the toilet has been flushed and waste approximately one to three gallons per minute. Replacing an old flapper is inexpensive and can save thousands of gallons per month.

If you have an older toilet and would like to replace it, you’re in luck. MNWD is offering rebates of up to $150 for the purchase of high-efficiency toilets, limit of five per household. Visit www.MNWD.com for more information.