Every year, the average household loses 10,000 gallons of water in leaks. One of the biggest culprits when it comes to lost water is the toilet. When excess water runs from your tank to the bowl, it’s leaking. Because this type of leak is typically hidden, there’s no way of knowing just how much water is being flushed down the drain.
Let’s face it, most people probably don’t pay a lot of attention to their toilet’s plumbing. However, doing a plumbing dye test periodically can ensure that the toilet is operating efficiently. By doing this, one will be able to tell when they need the assistance of a plumbing professional.
Here are the facts on hidden toilet leaks and how plumbers detect them with a dye test.
How Toilets Leak
Unlike pipes that can obviously drip and create puddles under sinks, toilet leaks are more insidious. Toilet bowls maintain a constant level. This keeps them from overflowing. When that constant level is surpassed, any excess water flows down the drain, often without anyone even knowing it. This water goes unused and is completely wasted.
Signs of Leaking Toilets
If the toilet runs for a long time after being flushed, that’s most likely due to a leaking toilet. If the toilet makes a faint sound of water and it hasn’t been flushed recently—there may also be a leak. If the toilet is exhibiting any of these signs of leakage, contact a plumbing professional to perform a dye test in order to pinpoint the issue before it gets out of hand.
Plumbing Dye Test Basics
A plumber will test the toilet for a leak using a dye test, which is a simple and straightforward procedure. Here are the steps a professional takes while performing a plumbing dye test for your toilet:
- The plumber will remove the lid from the tank and place it in an out-of-the-way location.
- Then, they will examine the tank’s water level. There is a water line in the tank where the water should be at, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The plumber will check to see if the water level is right.
- The plumbing professional will then introduce a powdery dye to the tank.
- After about 15 minutes, the plumber will check for any color in the bowl. If there is color, even if it’s light, there’s a leak. Keep in mind that small leaks can become big ones over time, so dealing with the situation now is the best line of defense in terms of saving water.
Fixing a Leaking Toilet
To effectively stop the toilet from leaking, have it replaced professionally. In order to achieve the best results, a professional will only use a toilet flapper that is the correct one for each specific brand of toilet.
For answers to questions regarding hidden leaks, or to schedule a professional plumbing dye test, contact The Pink Plumber today!
