Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.
You are viewing the Arizona site
You are viewing the Utah site

How to Easily Stop Almost Any Toilet Leak by Checking These Two Things

Do you know which appliance in your home uses the most water? By far, the answer is your toilet. A standard toilet will use anywhere from 4-6 gallons per flush and if you multiply that by how many people are in your house times how many trips to the toilet they take, that number gets very big, very fast.
Now, add on to the number of gallons consumed by normal use a leaking, running toilet. A slow leak can waste 30 gallons of water per day, while a medium leak can needlessly waste around 250 gallons of fresh water per day! Considering the average person uses 80-100 gallons of water per day, that is a massive amount of wasted water. And this problem is not only bad for the pocketbook, it’s also bad for the state’s water supply. Beyond all of those reasons, it’s just plain annoying to have to listen to a constantly-running toilet as well. But the best news is that most of the issues with your toilet are really easy to solve yourself!
So, if you can hear the toilet running long after a flush, go through the following list to see if you can troubleshoot and then solve the problem. But, if you feel at any time like this is a bigger problem, call a licensed plumber you trust to come help you.
1. TOILET FLAPPER
If you continue to hear water continue running in your toilet when the tank has refilled after a flush, give the handle a little jiggle. If the running water stops, the problem is likely a faulty flapper. When new, the flapper is flexible and seals tightly in the drain at the bottom of the tank, settling easily back into place after every flush. Over time, however, the rubber can harden and the flapper won’t fit as snugly into the drain.

This video will walk you through all the supplies you need and steps to take in order to replace a toilet flapper. The steps are written out below as well.
STEPS TO REPLACE A TOILET FLAPPER:
  1. SHUT OFF WATER & REMOVE LID - The first step is to shut off the water by turning the water valve below the toilet. Once the water is off,  remove the lid from the toilet tank.

  2. FLUSH TOILET TO DRAIN TANK - Next, flush the toilet to empty the water out of the tank. Hold the handle down so all of the water drains out of the tank.

  3. REMOVE CHAIN FROM FLUSH ARM - Free the flapper by disconnecting the chain from the flush arm.

  4. REMOVE THE OLD FLAPPER - The flapper should still be connected to the flush valve at the base by two tabs. Unhook the tabs and completely remove the old flapper. Be aware that over time, the flapper starts to deteriorate and can leave a black, sooty residue on your hands when changing it.

  5. CHECK & CLEAN FLUSH VALVE - Run your fingers along the inside and the top of the valve to make sure it's smooth. You don't want any mineral deposits or hard water buildup to cause the flapper to not seal well. It's good practice to clean the rim of the opening as well, using a sponge or a paper towel.

  6. CONNECT NEW FLAPPER - Hook the new flapper to the base of the flush valve with the two tabs.

  7. ATTACH & ADJUST FLAPPER CHAIN - Connect the chain to the chain arm. If you find you have excess chain, you will want to adjust the length. You don't want to have too much play in the chain, because when the flapper closes, it could get caught between the flapper and the flush valve, causing it to not seal correctly.

  8. TURN WATER BACK ON & TEST - Turn the water back on to fill the tank and flush the tank to see how it all works. Hopefully, your leaky days are over!
2. TOILET FILL VALVE
Sometimes, a running toilet is caused by a bad fill valve that needs to be replaced. If you look inside the tank of your toilet and see that the fill valve is leaking or spraying water from either the top, or leaking water from the bottom of the tank, chances are good it needs to be replaced before it wastes you any more water or causes any damage to your home. Fortunately, it’s a relatively easy fix that can be done with minimal expense and a few basic tools and supplies.

Pick up a new fill valve at your local hardware store, making sure it’s the correct fit for your toilet. This will generally run you anywhere from $10-$20. You may also need a new supply line (the tubing that runs from beneath your tank to your water supply) if yours is a solid, inflexible line. Check this first and pick up a flexible supply line so you have one on hand to make this repair. Other supplies you will need include a small bucket, a sponge, a pair of pliers, a pencil, a screwdriver, a tape measure and possibly a utility knife.

Here is a video explaining how to replace a toilet fill valve. Below you’ll find the steps written out as well.
STEPS TO REPLACE A TOILET FILL VALVE:
  1. REMOVE LID AND MARK WATER LEVEL - Remove the lid from the toilet tank, then take a pencil and mark the level of the existing water line. This shows the water level of your tank so you can match it once you’ve replaced the part.

  2. TURN OFF WATER - Next, turn off the water supply to your toilet. The shutoff valve is usually found behind and near the bottom of the toilet. Turn the water off by turning the valve to the right. Next, we are going to be underneath the toilet, and loosen the nut that's on the bottom of the fill valve.

  3. DRAIN TANK AND REMOVE WATER - Next, flush the toilet to empty the water out of the tank. Hold the handle down so all of the water drains out of the tank. Remove any additional water from the tank by soaking it up with your sponge.

  4. REMOVE WATER SUPPLY LINE - You may need adjustable pliers to loosen the bolts at the top and bottom of the supply line. Remove the water supply line nut and line.

  5. REMOVE OLD FILL VALVE - Once the nut is off, remove the old fill valve by lifting it out the top of the toilet tank.

  6. INSTALL NEW FILL VALVE - Next, you're going to prepare the fill valve for installation. You'll need the locknut and the shank washer that comes with the new fill valve and for some models, you’ll need to remove an inner piece of the washer with your utility knife. Slide this piece up over the bottom shank of the fill valve.

    Place the new fill valve in the toilet, making sure not to tighten it down yet. Adjust the top of the fill valve to about 3 inches above the overflow pipe. If you have a standard tank, the fill valve will probably come preset to the right height. But if you have a shallow tank or a deep tank, you may need to adjust the height of the fill valve by loosening the lock ring and raising or lowering the fill valve.

    Next, while applying downward pressure to the fill valve, take the locknut and screw it to the bottom of the fill valve, where it exits the bottom of the tank. Tighten it down so the rubber washer squishes out and forms a good seal. You don’t want water to leak out after you've installed the new fill valve--but you also want to be careful not to overtighten it. Overtightening can crack the fill valve or crack the tank and cause flooding.

  7. ATTACH REFILL TUBE TO OVERFLOW PIPE - Attach the refill tube to the fill valve and attach one end of the refill tube to the refill clip. Place the clip on the side of the overflow tube. You don't need excess tubing, so measure how much you need and then cut any excess. Attach the other end of the tube to the nipple on the side of the fill valve; the tube should form a slight arc.

  8. RECONNECT WATER SUPPLY LINE - Next, reattach the water supply line.

    Note: In this step, if you have looked under your toilet and found that you have a solid supply line instead of a flexible one, here’s where you’ll need that replacement supply line. You can save yourself the headache of trying to fit the solid line both now and anytime you may need to replace your fill valve in the future by simply replacing the line now. To remove it, loosen the nut at the bottom and it should come right off. Once it’s removed, take your flexible line and tighten it down. Once you finger-tighten it at the bottom, attach it to the bottom of your fill valve. Take your pliers and maybe give it another quarter turn, being careful not to overtighten any connections.

  9. TURN WATER BACK ON & CHECK FOR LEAKS - Turn the water back on and check all connections for leaks. If it’s working without any leaks, you’re good to go.

  10. ADJUST WATER LEVEL IF NEEDED - Finally, check the water line and adjust the water level in the tank if it’s too low. You can check this by matching the water line to the mark you made with a pencil before you got started. If the water level needs to be adjusted, you'll find an adjustment screw on the fill valve. Flush the tank first and then make your adjustments while the water is refilling. Clockwise will make the water level go higher; counter-clockwise will make the water level go lower. Put the lid back on the tank and you're all done!
  11.  

As with any DIY home improvement or maintenance project, if you ever feel you've gotten in over your head, stop and call a plumber you trust. If you don’t already have a plumber, call Any Hour Services and we would be happy to send one of our licensed plumbers from our plumbing or drain departments to help get you up and running again without any leaks, drips, runs, or mess.

Join our email list to get access to weekly emails with helpful videos, educational articles, and DIY home maintenance guides.
Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.

Any Hour Services

1374 West 130 South, Orem, UT 84058

© Copyright 2024 Any Hour Services LLC
© 2024 Any Hour Services LLC

Pricing FAQ

A:

The prices you are quoted come out of our pricing guide. We have looked at the most common tasks we are asked to perform and figured out the average time to perform the task, the cost of the materials, and the cost associated with running a drain business that is able to stand behind that work.

To calculate the cost of your drain project, your plumber will determine the tasks needed. Each task has a price associated with it, which your plumber will add together to arrive at your total. This method allows us to identify and rule out unnecessary tasks, prioritizing fairness and transparency (while saving you money).

Our pricing method is not influenced by the neighborhood someone lives in but is designed to be fair and transparent. When we designed our pricing guide, we asked ourselves, “What does it take to perform this task?” NOT, “How much can we get a person to pay?” This commitment to honest, clear pricing reflects our respect for our clients.

Call Now

A:

When you charge by the hour, you can only give a price after the job is finished. We don’t want you to have to wait until the end of the job to find out how much it costs.

We believe there are too many variables that make “charging by the hour” more of a win for the company than for the homeowner. There are the things that a homeowner has no control over but ends up paying the price for anyway: if a technician has to leave the job to get a part, if technicians work more slowly, if the job takes longer than expected, etc. With “charging by the hour,” there’s no accountability on the plumbing company to have their trucks stocked better, train their technicians better, or run their business more efficiently.

Our commitment to a fair and transparent pricing model is unwavering. We believe in doing right by everyone involved: the homeowner, the technician, and the company. This is not just a business decision, but a moral one, ensuring that everyone is treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.

Call Now

A:

The staff answering our phones and scheduling appointments are not technicians. They do not understand how the plumbing in your home works or how to price the work you need help with.

Our process involves a comprehensive on-site assessment by our technicians to ensure no crucial details are missed. This thorough approach that looks at all variables is how we can provide you with a price that remains unchanged from the start to the completion of the work: the price we give you before the begins is what the cost will be after the work is performed. Here at Any Hour Services, we believe in honest pricing.

Call Now

A:

Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

Call Now

A:

Yes, you can request a quote online, and our team at Any Hour Services strives to respond promptly to all inquiries.

Call Now

A:

It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have high-definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential, owner occupied special:
$29 drain clear / rooter service. Unclog any drain, including the sewer mainline, as long as it has an easily accessible cleanout.

Call Now

A:

It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. Below you will find a couple internet specials to help you save. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have hi definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential Special:
$149 live camera inspection. High-definition camera is set down your drain so you can inspect the condition of your sewer mainline. Need an easily accessible clean-out.

Call Now

A:

If you are looking to replace your sewer main line, one of our sewer supervisors will come to your home and inspect your sewer main line with a high-definition camera and show you what options are available. The visit doesn’t cost you anything, so call us if you have questions about replacing your sewer main line.

Call Now

A:

Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your drain technician to show you your savings.

Call Now

A:

No, as long as you live in our service area, our drain technicians can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area.

Call Now

A:

No, our drain technicians don’t quote a price until they have seen your drain issue. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time you want to add more tasks, your drain technician will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

When it comes to our drain clearing specials, if we can not clear your clogged drain, you don’t pay us.

Call Now

A:

You can pay for the the drain work we perform with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your drain technician can talk to you about your options.

Call Now

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. It’s based on a fixed-price guide that considers the time, materials, and costs of running a reliable home services business. We don’t charge by the hour or inflate prices based on your neighborhood. We ask ourselves, “What does it take to get the job done?,” not “How much can we charge?”

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

A:

Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

Call Now

A:

Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

A:

We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. Our plumbers will arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts. They’ll have everything they need to start your plumbing project while they’re at your home, unless the situation is unusual. They’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your plumbing system and explain what they’ll need to do to complete the work you called for. They’re not going to charge you by the hour, they will give you a total price, with options, before any of the work begins.

Call Now

A:

There are several large plumbing projects that we are willing to show you what options are available and the visit doesn’t cost you anything; basement finishes, water heater install/replacements, water softener installs/replacement, repiping, tankless water heater install/replacement etc. This is not a complete list so call us if you have questions about your project.

Call Now

A:

You will pay a little more to get a plumber to your home after hours but they do not charge more for the work you want them to perform. Our prices come directly from our pricing guide. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for doing work in the evenings or on weekends. The price for the plumbing work you need done will be the same regardless of the time of day.

Call Now

A:

No, our plumbers run calls on Saturdays and charge the same price as they would any other day of the week. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for work performed on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

Call Now

A:

No, as long as you live in our service area, our plumbers can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area. Here is a full list of Utah Cities we service.

Call Now

A:

No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

Call Now

A:

Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your plumber to show you your savings.

Call Now

A:

You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the HVAC work you want completed.

Call Now

Let's text you
that offer!

Enjoy these money-saving offers from Any Hour Services!
consent*