Plumbing Problem

[Seamus McBundy]

Two issues here.

First, when all the fixtures are turned off in the upstairs bathroom it still sounds like the water is running, even though nothing is actually on. What could be going on behind the walls? I can't tell if its coming from near the toilet or bath tub (both are close together)

Second problem is that the rubber sealer inside the toilet tank isnt keeping water from draining that well. Is there a way I can fix this without buying a new one? Or is the stopper worn out?

 

[brntorng]

The "rubber sealer" in the toilet tank is known as a "flapper". Chlorine in the water deteriorates them and they get stiff and don't seal properly so it's not uncommon to replace them every few years. They're usually easy to replace. Turn off the water supply to the toilet, flush, and remove the old flapper. Take it to Home Depot or Lowes and find a replacement. There are all kinds of after market replacements so you might ask for help if you're not sure what to get. I've found that the Fluidmaster brand tends to work the best, but there are exceptions.

The leaky flapper is probably the source of the running water that you hear. After replacing the flapper, see if you still hear running water. 99% chance it fixed the problem. If you have more than one toilet, it's a good idea to replace all the flappers at once since they tend to degrade at the same rate and it's only a matter of a short time before you'll need to replace others.

To test for a leaky flapper, mix several drops of dark food coloring into the toilet tank. Wait 10 minutes (or more) and see if any of the coloring leaked into the bowl.

 

[Luke Duke]

You can also go out to your meter and see if it is spinning when all of your faucets are turned off.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

A new flapper will run you all of $5 at a hardware store. Go get one and replace it.

 

[accuratehorn]

If it is just the toilet running that is one thing. Should be fixed to save water and $. But if there is still a singing sound from the walls, there is a leak, and a leak in an upstairs area is very costly, damaging walls, floors, ceilings insulation-not good. You could beging by shutting off one toilet at a time to make sure the noise goes away.

 

[midtown]

Not all flappers are created equal. After trying several generic brands I had to buy specific Kohler flappers for two of my toilets.

 

[Seamus McBundy]

Sorry to get back to this so late. When I got back from Home Depot with the new stopper, the sound of running water had stopped. I went ahead and replaced the new stopper and it seems to be working!

I'm still bafled about why it was making that noise for so long. I did turn off the water in the upstairs bathroom and it was still audible. But no leaks found so I'm not so worried.

Thanks for the help!

 

[l00p]

You may have a Water Mamba in your pipes. The good thing is that they HATE new flappers. Something about the texture or something like that. So if you don't hear that noise, the flapper may have skeered it away to a neighbors place. Well done.