3-6
October 2012
••
Annually test toilets to ensure the flappers are not worn or allowing water to
seep from the tank into the bowl and down the sewer. Drop a dye tablet or
several drops of diluted food coloring in the tank. After 10 minutes, see if the
dye has leaked into the bowl. Flush the toilet immediately after conducting this
test to ensure the dye does not stain the tank or bowl. If there is a leak, check for
a tangled chain in the tank or replace a worn flapper valve. If leaking does not
subside after a flapper valve is replaced, consider replacing the flapper seat and
overflow tub assembly, which could also be worn.
••
Learn more by watching leak detection and repair videos
3
posted on the South-
ern Nevada Water Authority website.
Flushometer-Valve Toilets
••
At least annually, inspect diaphragm or piston valves and replace any worn parts.
To determine if the valve is in need of replacement, determine the time it takes to
complete a flush cycle. A properly functioning 1.6 gpf flush valve should not have
a flush cycle longer than four seconds.
••
If replacing valve inserts, make sure the replacements are consistent with the
valve manufacturer’s specifications, including the rated flush volume. If replacing
the entire valve, make sure it has a rated flush volume consistent with manufac-
turer specifications for the existing bowl.
••
Periodically check to ensure the control stop (which regulates the flow of water
from the inlet pipe to the flushometer valve and is necessary for shutting off the
flow of water during maintenance and replacement of the bowl or valve) is set to
fully open during normal operation.
••
Upon installation of a flushometer-valve toilet, adjust the flush volume following
manufacturer’s instructions to ensure optimum operation for the facility’s specific
conditions. Periodically inspect the flush volume adjustment screw to ensure the
flush volume setting has not been modified from the original settings; if it has, it
could change the water use and performance of the product.
••
Ensure that the line pressure serving the flushometer-valve toilet meets the mini-
mum requirements specified by the fixture manufacturer.
••
If installed, check and adjust automatic sensors to ensure proper settings and
operation to avoid double or phantom flushing.
Retrofit Options
To retrofit an existing toilet to increase water efficiency, consider the following op-
tions for tank-type and flushometer-valve toilets.
3
Southern Nevada Water Authority. How to Find a Leak.
.
3.2
Toilets
