A toilet that runs continuously or leaks is not only annoying, it's also enormously wasteful. According to the EPA, household plumbing leaks waste up to a trillion gallons of water every year. One of the most common culprits is a leaking toilet tank flapper, an easy repair that can save you quite a bit on you water bill. To fix this simple part, follow these steps from Gecko Enterprises, septic tank care and sludge removal specialists on Oahu:

• Remove the top of the toilet tank and store it somewhere safe. They're surprisingly easy to scratch or crack.
• Find the rubber flapper at the bottom of the tank, connected to the floater tube by a stiff arm or chain.
• Flush the toilet to see what happens in the mechanism. When you release the handle, the flapper should fall and plug the whole at the bottom of the tank.
• If it doesn't, make sure the chain isn't falling into the hole, preventing the flapper from getting a good seal. Sometimes the chain is too short, preventing the flapper from falling down far enough. Both of these can be fixed by adjusting the chain or untangling twists and kinks.
• If that doesn't work, turn off the water to the tank and drain the toilet. Clean the area around the hole with a scouring pad. If the toilet still runs, you'll have to replace the flapper. You can get a new one at any hardware store; just follow the directions on the package.

For expert help with septic tank cleaning or any other issues, visit Gecko Enterprises online or call (808) 637-3240 today.