Why Does My Toilet Keep Running? Plus, how to get the replacement parts for free
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- čas přidán 9. 05. 2020
- A running toilet is annoying, but it doesn't have to be scary. Jim shares why your toilet is running so you can fix it yourself or not get ripped off by a plumber who can fix it for you.
In this video, Jim starts with why a toilet runs to how long it takes for a plumber to fix a running toilet. He also shares a host of tips on fixing a running toilet yourself and getting the parts for free from the manufacturer.
Why Does Your Toilet Run? Jim breaks it all down here:
How a toilet works (00:51 mins)
Calling the manufacturer for parts/how-to-fix it (1:50 mins)
Best manufacturer for a new flush valve (3:00 mins)
If you see solids in your toilet’s water tank (3:59 mins)
How to improve the flush of your toilet (5:14 mins)
Call your toilet maker to get replacement parts (5:37 mins)
How to fix a running toilet yourself (6:00 mins)
How much does it cost for a plumber to fix a running toilet? (6:53 mins)
Thanks for watching! Click SUBSCRIBE for more plumbing tips from Jim, The Grumpy Plumber. - Jak na to + styl
Retired, but I used to use a very small screwdriver with the end bent at 90 degrees to clean the lime out of the small holes around the rim.
Once upon a time, the Fluidmaster fill valve had a problem with lime where it would stick - the float would not slide up and down the shaft to turn the water off. These days, it isn't as bad.
One check for a seeping flapper is to take a long screwdriver, or equivalent, and push down on the center of the flapper while watching the water in the bowl. If movement stops, the flapper is leaking. Also, looking down the refill tube, you can see water leaking.
I used Hunter fill valves, later renamed as Korky, and had good luck with them. The only place that type, either Korky or Fluidmaster, don't work well is where the well is pumping some sand.
I have a Toto toilet and the finish isn't all that good inside the bowl. I think I got it right before they improved it. But Toto parts tend to cost just about twice what standard parts do. The flush lever is sort of a cam affair and they wear out faster than others. The Toto fill valve is a Korky, but it's special, with more water passing through the refill tube. Use a non-Toto version and the toilet will not flush because the bowl does not refill.
I love this channel! Thank you Jim and Jordan for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Would love to know more about how and why you decided to become a plumber. I am the “plumber” in my home and appreciate learning your gems of wisdom.
Thanks Kimberly for watching and the nice comment. We have a video coming out about why he became a plumber. Jim's grandma said there needed to be a plumber in the family so...
@@TheGrumpyPlumber Lol, Grandmas know best! Will keep my eye out for the notification. Would love to know funniest or strangest plumbing visit/client. And how he got over the “poop” factor of the profession. Forgot to mention that three factors that make your channel stand out - Jim knows plumbing so well that each video is a lesson but is never preachy. You are an excellent interviewer who doesn’t get in the way of the story, and your video production quality is high. I will mention your channel in some of the Facebook diy groups I’m a member of.
great advice and anyone who has done any plumbing can easily get grumpy especially when working in cramped spaces. thanks your videos are great.
Great video keep them coming.
No matter if it's changing the guts in a toilet tank or a kitchen or bathroom faucet, I most always get stopped short because I can't budge the valve. They are my nemeses! Thank you for the info.
@Joe M Thanks Joe, it is. I just feel more pressure to get it done because the whole house is shut down.
Hey guys Jim and Jordan, your dad is a rip. He has me rollin, he’s funny as hell. He reminds me of my uncle. Anyway, thank you for your wisdom, time and knowledge. Keep up the good work guys and have a great day... I will be trying to FaceTime with you if you allow it. Thank you in advance, take care and stay well guys.
Could you explain the test with the 8oz of water? I have rewinded your video 20 times and can not figure out this test. Thanks for your videos.
New subscriber here. Old Grumpy Electrician (retired) here.
Keep the videos coming.
RDG
Appreciate your kind words RDG. The glass of water test for toilets is something old plumbers know about. It was only used on 3 and 5 gallon flush toilets. Flush the toilet and when the water level gets up to the flush level, which is a couple of inches below the rim, quickly dump the 8 oz. glass of water. If it flushes, that means there is a problem with the toilet, not the drain and vent lines. The new toilets have a different flush that siphons quicker. If you are having a problem with an old toilet, it’s either: the water level is too low, or the ports in the rim are blocked with lime, or the 3/4” opening in the bottom of the bowl is blocked with lime.
Thanks for the quick reply, I understand the test now.
I have 2 Toto's , 2 bathrooms back to back both Toto are the same model. One of them when you flush sounds and flushes just a bit different that the other. I quess as being an electrican all of my life I'm trying to troubleshoot something thats not a problem. Thanks again RDG
Jordan, this channel is great. ( just a thought.......an idea............. only put the intro section in one third or one half of your videos. It's not required every time. )
Yeah I just fast forward 40 seconds in all their videos.
How long should those OEM parts last?
David McDaniel, it’s not how long OEM parts last, it’s that they were made for the fixture that you bought. If it lasts less than a year, you can call the manufacturer and they might give you a new replacement part. You’ve got to remember that you are dealing with water and water throughout the whole country is different.
@@TheGrumpyPlumber Excellent point! Thank you!
Hi, I had a plumber come out to replace a few cartridges in my faucets that were getting stiff to turn. He had to turn my main water coming into the house off. Since then I have noticed when I flush the toilet in the master bathroom, when it’s filling back up it sounds different. It fills, but the water in the toilet tank is milky / cloudy looking. Is this ok? I really can’t find an answer. Thx!
@donnamaly7168, let’s talk first about your faucets. The reason why they get stiff or don’t open all the way is because when you use them, you probably open them half way and that causes a problem. You need to exercise them. Open them all the way and close them a few times a week. Now for your toilet; the water will probably clear up as you flush it more. When the plumber opened the main valve to the house, he opened it too quickly and should have opened it slowly so as not to stir up the sediment in the pipes.
Oh my gosh! Thank you! I will definitely do that with the faucets. Thank you so much for the quick reply. You made my day. 😁💖
Your video would be much better if you showed the toilet and the parts you are talking about.