roadiemoose
Member
Greetings all,
I know this general topic is covered extensively in this forum as well as others, however I can't find any information specific to my situation.
In 2016, my family moved into a home that was built in 2001. I'm assuming the toilet is original. No reason to think otherwise. It's a Kohler ( i forget the model), but it has the cartridge style flush valve. Maybe 4-5 months ago, the toilet began to run at random times. Is this the same as a phantom flush? The "running" continues for 10-20 seconds. What is confusing me, and I'm NOT a plumber, is that the "running" happens at random intervals. After a flush, it may not run at all for hours or days. After another flush, it may run every few minutes. If i flush the toilet when it runs every few minutes, that usually stops it from running so often. The other interesting change is about every 6th to 10th flush is very weak. What is being flushed, #1 or #2, doesn't make a difference. These are both new events.
What I've done so far.
I'm aware of the gasket/ring at the bottom of the cylindrical cartridge, I tried cleaning it first, no change, so I replaced it. Still no change. I have also read about cleaning the top of the fill valve. I tried that and still no change. The inside of the fill tank was "dirty", so I cleaned that out including the area that comes in contact below the gasket on the valve. We are on a well water system and it is hard water. When we moved in, we installed a softener. I don't see any signs of exterior leaking. My next plan is to do the dye test. I'm assuming the dye test will show water in the bowl, but I'm at a loss for where it might be leaking.
Any thoughts and advice from the pros would be greatly appreciated. I'm stuck at home during this crazy time and trying to shorten the honey do list as much as possible since I don't have a lack of time as an excuse anymore.
Thanks in advance.
Bryan
I know this general topic is covered extensively in this forum as well as others, however I can't find any information specific to my situation.
In 2016, my family moved into a home that was built in 2001. I'm assuming the toilet is original. No reason to think otherwise. It's a Kohler ( i forget the model), but it has the cartridge style flush valve. Maybe 4-5 months ago, the toilet began to run at random times. Is this the same as a phantom flush? The "running" continues for 10-20 seconds. What is confusing me, and I'm NOT a plumber, is that the "running" happens at random intervals. After a flush, it may not run at all for hours or days. After another flush, it may run every few minutes. If i flush the toilet when it runs every few minutes, that usually stops it from running so often. The other interesting change is about every 6th to 10th flush is very weak. What is being flushed, #1 or #2, doesn't make a difference. These are both new events.
What I've done so far.
I'm aware of the gasket/ring at the bottom of the cylindrical cartridge, I tried cleaning it first, no change, so I replaced it. Still no change. I have also read about cleaning the top of the fill valve. I tried that and still no change. The inside of the fill tank was "dirty", so I cleaned that out including the area that comes in contact below the gasket on the valve. We are on a well water system and it is hard water. When we moved in, we installed a softener. I don't see any signs of exterior leaking. My next plan is to do the dye test. I'm assuming the dye test will show water in the bowl, but I'm at a loss for where it might be leaking.
Any thoughts and advice from the pros would be greatly appreciated. I'm stuck at home during this crazy time and trying to shorten the honey do list as much as possible since I don't have a lack of time as an excuse anymore.
Thanks in advance.
Bryan