Troubleshooting a Swirling Toilet

Often, the first sign of a problem with your toilet is that it isn’t flushing correctly. This can be caused by a number of different problems.

One common cause of this is a clogged rim jet. This can be unclogged with a small amount of vinegar.

Faulty Flapper

A faulty flapper can make your toilet run constantly, which is not only frustrating but also wastes a lot of water. It is important to find the root of the problem so you can fix it before the problem gets worse.

The first thing to do is inspect the chain that connects the flapper to the toilet. If the chain is too long, it may get caught under the flapper and prevent it from sealing properly.

Another thing to check is the float height on your tank valve. It should have a 1/2 inch slack.

If the float is too high, it will keep draining out of your tank even after you flush the toilet. This can cause your toilet to run continuously and will cost you hundreds of dollars in water bills.

If you notice a leaking flapper, you can easily replace it with a new one from your local home improvement store. Just make sure you have disposable gloves and a garbage can or bag handy, so you can throw it away without staining your toilet.

Faulty Tank

A faulty tank can be the reason your toilet is constantly running. You should fix this right away before it gets worse.

If you have a newer tank, there is an adjustment rod on the side of the fill valve that allows you to raise or lower the float. This can help you get enough water in the tank to prevent your toilet from running.

Another option is to replace the float. This is a simple DIY project that requires some pliers and a screwdriver.

It is important to be careful as you do this as this is attached to the fill valve that is responsible for bringing in water to refill your tank.

If your toilet is not flushing properly, there could be a problem with the flapper. A flapper that doesn’t seal correctly may allow water to leak into the bowl while the handle is closed.

Faulty Float Ball

If the water in your toilet runs continuously or unexpectedly turns off, there may be issues connected to the float ball. This is usually caused by a float that has developed cracks, which can fill with water and ride lower than it should in the tank.

If this is the case, you can try to adjust the float by bending its arm slightly down. If that doesn’t solve the issue, it may be time to replace the float ball.

The float ball of your toilet is a small rubber-cup-shaped ball that sits on top of the tank’s water and rises when the level gets low. It then triggers a mechanism that allows the water to flow into the tank and flush the toilet.

You can easily test your float by removing the tank cover and taking a look at it. Shake the float to see if there is any water in it.

Faulty Inlet Pipes

The inlet pipes of a toilet are critical to flushing. Without them, water would leak out into the bathroom. In addition, they keep the tank topped off and prevent the toilet from filling up with more than it can handle.

If your toilet is making a hissing sound when it flushes, it may be time to replace the inlet-valve assembly or refill tube. These parts may have gotten tighter than they should.

A faulty flapper is another common cause of a hissing noise. This is a rubber or plastic cap that covers the drain leading from the toilet’s tank to the bowl.

You can easily replace a faulty flapper with a new one. It will probably take you some time to do it yourself, but it’s well worth it if you have a hissing toilet.