By:Monte Leeper
Q. My problem is a toilet that seems to flush frequently when not in use. When this happens, water does not leave the bowl or flush box. However, I
feel water must be going somewhere. My house was built in 1962 and this problem started a few months ago. It does not "flush" all the time; it may flush several times a day for a few days and then stop for a few days. Is there any solution to this problem short of replacing the entire toilet and flush box? My plumber did replace the flush valve and fill valve.
A. I find your observations to be perplexing, and I even go flush at the
thought. Either the toilet flushes or it doesn't. If you have observed the
toilet not losing water when you hear it flush, then what you may be hearing
is the pressure of the flush valve as it closes after a small leak and refill.
The shut-off sound of the flush valve closing is often a higher-pitched
sound of flowing water followed by an abrupt "bonk." If you have a flush
handle that sticks, the slow leak will also trigger this sound. Another
possibility is that the toilet is so old, that the gasket at the base of the
fill tank is shot and may no longer be replaceable. The ceramic can wear out
or become covered with scale, so that a gasket will no longer form a complete
seal. If this happens, replace the toilet, if you dare to, with a bright,
shiny new one. You may want to sleep on it, or sit on it, before watching
your water bills go down the drain. In the end, you won't regret it.
