This common bathroom noise could be hugely expensive if you keep ignoring it, expert warns
We've all heard the familiar sound of the toilet flush running non-stop but while some of us go back and jiggle the flush to try to stop it, others just leave it be.
That could be a huge mistake according to a real estate agent who warned about the consequences of letting endless water flow down the toilet bowl.
In a TikTok video, Laurence Gibbons from the Gibbons Group real estate company revealed the tip is something "you may not know as a homeowner, but you do now".
Watch the video above.
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Laurence Gibbons shared a handy money-saving tip. TikTok/@therealestatefamily
"That sound right there, if that sound keeps going you're going to get a massive, massive water bill," he said with the sound of a toilet running in the background.
"Do not let this sound keep going in your bathrooms."
9honey/PollyHanning
While you might think that people wouldn't let this problem continue, there were several in the comments who said ignoring it did in fact cost them big time.
"Happened to me with the fill valve $300 lesson learned," one said.
"Yep. Happened to us," commented another.
"Learned this the hard way… $450 later," wrote a viewer.
https://www.tiktok.com/@therealestatefamily/video/7407901512262782250?embed_source=121374463%2C121451205%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121351166%2C72778571%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=www.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-13882963%2Fexpert-warn-not-ignore-common-bathroom-sound-costly-expense.html&referer_video_id=7407901512262782250To fix the problem you need to start by turning off the water to prevent leaks or flooding and then look at what is causing the problem.
Common culprits of a running toilet are a worn-out flapper valve, a faulty fill valve or a leaky flush valve.
Mr Emergency recommends starting with the flapper.
"The toilet flapper creates a seal between the cistern and toilet bowl. Check that the flapper is sealing properly. It may be caked with years of build up," the plumbers said in a guide to fixing a running toilet.
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Check in here to see what's causing the flush to keep running. Getty Images/iStockphoto
You'll either need to clean it or replace it, but if that doesn't fix the problem then it's time to look at the water level.
"Turn on the water supply and allow the cistern to fill. This will help you identify the water level and determine if it's too high. The water level will vary from toilet to toilet, but it should be between 2.5cm and 4cm below the top of the overflow tube."
Jiggling the flush button often seems to do the trick but if you want the problem solved call a pumber. Getty
To fix a high water level the float will need lowering, but it could also be damaged and need replacing so check that too.
If it's not that the fill valve is the next thing to look at. It might need cleaning or replacing and Mr Emergency has a handy tip for buying the right one.
"We suggest taking the old valve with you as a reference for the new purchase."
If you're not sure how to go about fixing these parts or the problem doesn't go away it's time to call a plumber.
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