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thehojos · Mar 28, 2009, 12:20 PM

So our toilet tank is leaking- causing it to refillevery 30-60 minutes. So, I did a dye test, indeed it showed int eh bowl, manening a flapper/seal leak, right? So, I turned off the water overnight (to see if the leak was indeed at the flapper level or beneath it- between tank and seat). Instead of nearly emptying, the tank stayed almost full!! It only went down about an inch, and stayed that way WITH THE WATER OFF!!

I'm totally mustified... my only scientific exlplantion was that it was the weight of the water, so I set the float (newer model, not the pivot arm, but the inline tube/float) all the way down (the least amount of water in the tank) thinking it would mean the lighter the water, the less the leak- but it almost seems worse now! How do I diagnose the real problem here? I'm just stuck!

Thanks!

ballengerb1 · Mar 28, 2009, 12:28 PM

Do you know what you water pressure is in the home and do you have a PRV on the main?

thehojos · Mar 29, 2009, 06:59 AM

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the typing above... I'll slow down to check spelling!

I'm afraid I don't know the exact water pressure- but very high (compared to other homes). I think we may have a PRV, as the inspector mentioned the possibility of adjusting.

So not to jump ahead, but wouldn't it mean other toilets would have the same problem if it were overall water pressure? Maybe not.

Thanks again, anxious to hear replies, as I'm just not sure what to do with it at this point.

speedball1 · Mar 29, 2009, 07:18 AM

Originally Posted by thehojos

Thanks for the reply. Sorry for the typing above... I'll slow down to check spelling!

I'm afraid I don't know the exact water pressure- but very high (compared to other homes). I think we may have a PRV, as the inspector mentioned the possibility of adjusting.

So not to jump ahead, but wouldn't it mean other toilets would have the same problem if it were overall water pressure? Maybe not.

Thanks again, anxious to hear replies, as I'm just not sure what to do with it at this point.

Well the very first thing you should do is purchase a hose bib pressure gage,(see image) and let us know what your house pressure is.

So not to jump ahead, but wouldn't it mean other toilets would have the same problem if it were overall water pressure?

Not if the ballcock in question was weaker then the others. I want to know what your house pressure is. Check it and get back to us. Regards, Tom

thehojos · Mar 29, 2009, 03:54 PM

Looks like it's topping out at 110 PSI

speedball1 · Mar 29, 2009, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by thehojos

Looks like it's topping out at 110 PSI

You have 110 PSI? The average house pressure's 45 PSI. You're putting a strain on your pipe joints and all your valves and faucets. If you have a PRV( pressure reducing Valve, see image) reset it back to 50 PSI and if you haven't got one then get one installed. Bring that pressure down and I bet your problem disappears. Good luck, Tom

thehojos · Mar 29, 2009, 05:15 PM

Really? Yikes. I'll definitely give it a try for sure!! Let me include this quick pic to make sure I'm looking at the PRV (just above our main shut-off, so I imagine that's it!)

Thanks for your help, good to know what a better pressure will be... As nice as the pressure is in some areas, if it's an overall strain, not a good thing.

Milo Dolezal · Mar 29, 2009, 07:14 PM

Flopper is very simple device. It closes by force of gravity, floating onto the tank discharge hole with lowering levels of water in tank. It sits down differently every time you flush. Chances are that sometimes it closes correctly and sometimes incorrectly.

KISS · Mar 29, 2009, 08:44 PM

Yep, PRV. Adjusting the screw counter-clockwise usually means a lower pressure.

Me too with the Yipes at 110 PSI.

speedball1 · Mar 30, 2009, 06:07 AM

To adjust the PRV valve Loosen the lock nut. For more pressure, turn the adjusting screw down ( clockwise ); or For less pressure, turn the adjusting screw up ( counter clockwise ). Retighten the Lock Nut so the adjusting screw cannot turn on its own. Good luck, Tom

thehojos · Mar 30, 2009, 07:12 AM

Thanks so much! I will adjust for sure and hopefully that will help!

ballengerb1 · Apr 5, 2009, 04:27 PM

In the future try starting your own new post by clicking on ASK at the top of the page. Let me ask a few quick questions before we tear into anything. Remove the tank lid and watch what happens when you flush. Does the water rise so high that in neters the white overflow tube or is the flapper just not sealing down at the tank bottom?