Repairing Toilet Leaks
 In just one year, a leaky toilet can waste over 22,000
gallons of water. You can save money and water by repairing some leaks
yourself. Begin by checking the bathroom. Here, the most likely culprit
is the toilet.
If you hear the sound of running water or a faint hissing or trickling,
your toilet may not be working properly and may need repairs. But many
times, water flows through the tank silently, which is why toilet leaks
are often overlooked. Usually, leaks flow quietly into the overflow pipe
or occur at the plunger-ball (also known as the tank stopper or flapper),
where a slight amount of scale, corrosion, or even a grain of sand can
cause leakage.
Detecting Toilet Leaks
Drop some food coloring or dye tablets into the tank, and check about
15 minutes later to see if the coloring has leaked into the bowl. Leak
detection dye tablets are available free from the Santa Clara Valley Water
District or San José Water Company (if you are their customer only).
If the water is clear, then you do not have a leak! You do not need to
read the toilet leaks section further; save it for later and check the
toilet for leaks after six months. If the coloring has leaked into the
bowl, you do have a leak.
This guide is intended to provide some useful information that will help
you make small plumbing repairs. If you have doubts about your "fix-it"
ability, please call a licensed plumbing professional.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this section is general advice to help you
conserve water. You may have unique concerns which can only be addressed
by a licensed plumbing professional. The City of San José Environmental Services Department does not have plumbing expertise, nor is it a plumbing
referral service. By using this information, you are agreeing that under
no circumstances will the City, its officers, agents or employees be responsible for (1) any information contained or omitted (2) any person's reliance
on any such information, whether or not the information is correct, current
or complete, (3) the consequences of any action you or any other person
takes or fails to take, whether or not based on information provided here.
You are welcome to view this information for your own personal, non-commercial purposes. Copying or other use of any of the information contained here is strictly prohibited.
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