Stewardship Tip Aug 18th, 2009- Leaky Toilets
Toilets consume 26.7% of the total water used inside the home. That’s more than any other appliance or fixture. Toilet leaks can boost that percentage astronomically. Many leaks are caused by a flapper valve that does not close or seal correctly. Here are three tips that you can check to prevent flapper-related leaks .
Make sure the handle is down: If the handle on a toilet remains in the open position, it will hold the flapper open; water will continuously run into the toilet. Return the handle to the closed position and give it a shake, that should shut the flapper valve.
Make sure the chain has slack: The chain must be slightly slack in the closed position. If the chain is too tight, loosen it until it is slightly slack in the closed position allowing the flapper to close completely.
Make sure that the flapper is clean: Check the flapper for mineral deposits. This can cause a faulty seal. If the flapper is dirty, clean it with vinegar and a scrubbing pad.
Why it is important to the fish: If a flapper remains open for 24 hours, it can waste about 4,800 gallons of water. This can flood a septic tank overflow into the drain field. This can lead to runoff into neighboring streams and lakes poisoning the water and ultimately our fish.
A leaky toilet wastes water needlessly. Check your flapper valve today and make sure it is functioning correctly. Our fish will benefit from your actions.
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