The wonderful world of the toilet Posted On: Saturday, Oct. 11 2008 07:07 AM By Hayley Kappes
Killeen Daily Herald

Not much can be said about the white porcelain thrones in our bathrooms without entering into foul joke territory.

Toilets are the unsung heroes of sanitation in our homes, and have their month of recognition in October for National Toilet Tank Repair Month.

The month is dedicated to increase awareness of the amount of wasted water that results from a leaky toilet or other plumbing problems. A running toilet can waste nearly 200 gallons of water a day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and causes homeowners' water bills to skyrocket.

John Mabry, co-owner of the full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company Mr. Rooter, said residents can save a significant amount of money by attending to every leak.

"It should be fairly apparent if something malfunctions with a toilet because it will sound as if it's running continuously or water will trickle into the bowl," Mabry said. "With the rising cost of utilities, including water, it's wise for customers to be proactive about making their homes more energy-efficient."

Mabry said the most common items on a toilet that break are the water control diaphragm, or flapper, and the fill valve.

The flapper is usually made of rubber and covers the hole between the tank and the bowl. It's on the device the chain is attached to that flushes the toilet.

Flappers deteriorate as they age and don't seal the hole as well, allowing water to seep through.

The flapper can be inspected for deterioration simply by touching it. They're made of black rubber, and as they become worn, black residue will come off.

The fill valve is responsible for filling the bowl and tank with water after each flush.

"If something goes wrong with the fill valve, water will gush out unabated and spill onto the floor. we recommend that flappers and fill valves be replaced every few years just to be sure."

A fill valve should be replaced if it appears rusty or there has sediment built up.

Mabry said it's important to know how to operate the emergency shut-off valve, located under the toilet coming ot of the wall.

"What most people don't know is that over time the handles will corrode and get stuck and you can't turn them, which could lead to a disaster," he said. "If you can't manually turn them, they need to be replaced."

Throughout October, Mr. Rooter's technicians will inspect toilets for free when they perform plumming maintenance in the home. They will also provide free estimates if toilet repairs are needed.

Mabry said people spend more time at home as the weather cools, which increases the frequency of toilet use and the liklihood for problems. It's also crucial to ensure toilets are functioning properly prior to the holiday season.

"Most people aren't aware that they shpould service their toilet regularly," Mabry said. "They call a plumber after an emergency, which could have been prevented with regular maintenance."

"It's also important to ensure your plumbing is in good condition before the holidays arrive."

Contact Hayley Kappes at hayleyk@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7559.