Master Plumber

I noticed the toilet in the guest bathroom was leaking.  I took the top off and after the tank filled, water was still running.  I cleaned the flapper, which had no effect.  So, off to Lowe’s to buy a new flapper.  It went on easily, but the water was still running.  The water level was above the drain pipe.  It was the toilet tank valve that wouldn’t shut off.

During my younger days as a homeowner, I didn’t think twice about fixing a leaking toilet.  Thirty minutes to the hardware store and another thirty minutes for the repair - job done.  It didn’t work that way for me this time.  Thirty minutes to the hardware store to buy a new valve - and then the fun began.

I used a sponge to dry out the toilet tank and then disconnected the supply line.  No problem except there was no room to get to it so I had to lean over and use a mirror to see where I could use a wrench.  An hour later I was ready to remove the old valve.  Even with a mirror, I couldn’t get a wrench on it, so I used adjustable pliers and move it about ⅛ inch at a time.  My thighs were screaming at me as I leaned over for three hours getting that blasted connection loose.

The new valve went right in place; I secured the plastic connector that the instructions said to only hand tighten.  I decided to buy a new supply hose as the old one was probably ten years old.  After my third trip to Lowe’s, I installed it and hooked it up to the valve.  I was getting pretty good at using a mirror.

I turned the water on and had a minor flood.  Evidently, when the instructions said to hand tighten, they were not referring to an 80-year old man with arthritic hands.  I used my adjustable pliers and the leak stopped.  Victory!

No, not a victory.  The new valve wouldn’t shut off, so water went into the overflow pipe and the toilet still leaked.

On day three, I sponged out the tank again, brought Aloma’s mirror back and removed the valve.  When I took it apart, I found a big piece of debris that prevented the valve from closing.  I removed it, put everything back together.  My thighs and knees were killing me.

I turned the water on and the water level was perfect and there were no leaks.  After three trips to Lowe’s and three days of work, I got the job done.

What I would do differently if our other toilet develops a leak?  I now have the name of a good plumber.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com