|
Article Directory :: Home & Family Articles
When something's wrong inside the toilet tank, it often doesn't take a professional to get in there and fix the problem. Lots of times, a homeowner with the right savvy and a few basic tools can get to the root of the problem. This will save the household a lot of dough and prevent the need for a trained plumber to schlep all the way across town. When conquering an unknown dilemma in your tank, you'll first need to get good access by clearing the entire area and taking off the heavy porcelain top, and setting it aside. It may be good to lay down newspaper or some other substance to set the tank lid on, and if space is an issue, be sure to move all of the objects around the toilet to prevent annoying access problems. You may also want to get into the habit of keeping a flashlight around in case the interior of a tank or another area does not have sufficient light.
As far as tools, a pliers and screwdriver as well as an adjustable wrench are good ideas. The most you will likely have to do is to loosen a nut fixing one or the other of several parts to the tank system.
You'll want to drain the tank to be able to work inside. To do that, first find the shut off valve for the toilet. It should be located along the incoming water line in plain view. When you've turned the valve off, you can flush the tank, and it will not refill.
One of the first things you may notice is that the "flapper" may be messed up. That's the small rubber piece where the water flows through into the bowl from the bottom of the tank. Check to see if the flapper is either broken or just stuck. If it is broken or damaged somehow, you can easily replace it.
There are some other elements that could take a few small repairs, including the arm that maintains the float in the correct position to fill the tank. Again, this can be fixed using these few simple tools and it's a good example of the kind of amateur plumbing that often does not require a professional plumber.
One thing that you may find when inspecting toilets is that someone has been experimenting with reduced water flow. Sometimes putting an item into the tank can lower the amount of water used with each flush but it may also conflict with some of the workings of the various parts. More commonly, the parts are just worn, and simple replacement is the best option. When you've done one of these tasks once, it gets easier to do them again each time you have to delve into the tank.
All of this is just part of what you may experience when looking into the toilet tank in your home's bathroom. In general, knowing about the specific materials and installations in your home's toilets help you to be prepared for any periodic fixes that may be necessary. Remember, the most important factor in keeping your toilet tank interior working properly is making sure that nothing is obstructing the float arm and flap process, and that none of these parts is throwing a "weak link" into the mix.
Scott Rodgers is a plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit http://eLocalPlumbers.com
 EasyPublish™ this article - publishers click here
More articles by Scott Rodgers
|
Free Report!
Ten Essential Secrets Of Article Marketing ... Grab Your Free
Copy Now:
Need Content?
Regular Top Quality Content for your Blog, Ezine or Website ...
Delivered Direct,
For Free!
Click For Details
Arts & Entertainment
Automotive
Business - General
Computers & Technology
Finance & Investment
Food & Drink
Health & Fitness
Home & Family
Internet Marketing/Online Business
Legal
Pets & Animals
Politics & Government
Reference & Education
Religion & Faith
Self-Improvement/Motivation
Social
Sports & Recreation
Travel & Leisure
Writing & Speaking
|
