LEAKS
Steps in Detecting and Repairing Minor Toilet Leaks
1. To detect a toilet leak, place a few drops of laundry bluing or food coloring in the toilet tank and let it stand for 15 minutes.
2. Check toilet bowl. If the color has filtered through, you have a leak.
3. Check the plunger ball (flapper). It probably needs cleaning or replacement.
4. If there is a trickling sound and the plunger ball does not fit tightly into the hole at the bottom of the tank, lift it and lower its position by screwing it down a few turns on its wire. If that doesn't work; replace it.
5. If the flush handle sticks in "flush" and keeps the water running, adjust the plunger ball or replace it.
6. If the float arm rides too high, bend the arm down until the water no longer flows into the vertical overflow tube.
7. If the float arm rides too low in the water, and the water in the toiler runs continuously, lift it. If the ball is heavy, replace it as it probably has a leak.
8. If the Ballcock Valve does not shut off automatically when the float arm is fully elevated, it is probably worn out and needs replacing. If so, replace it with an adjustable Ballcock Valve which eliminates the float ball arm and saves water.
Steps in Detecting General Hidden Leaks:
1. Locate your water meter.
2. Turn off all indoor and outdoor faucets and water-using devices.
3. Record the meter reading.
4. After 30 minutes, read the meter again paying particular attention to any movement of the small dial.
5. If the reading has changed or the needle has moved, you have a leak.
6. Find the leak and have it repaired, or call a plumber to locate and repair the leak.
Some meters record only large quantities of flow (and leaks) so you may have to conduct a longertest.