I heard a strange sound of running water yesterday. When I went to investigate, I discovered that my toilet was running. The flapper looked like it was in the right position, but clearly the tank was not filling. So I jiggled the handle, the tank refilled and all was well.
Or so I thought, until it happened again later that afternoon.
Ainslie’s First Rule Of Plumbing – It never gets better on its own.
Corollary – It will always get worse.
This isn’t my first toilet rodeo. I knew what to do. I replaced the flapper with a new one and congratulated myself for having the wherewithal to buy a spare flapper the last time this happened.
Genius.
Except now I realize there’s a slow leak, which I suspect is the gasket seal. My toilet does this random, mini-flush refill thing at odd times throughout the day.
I know this won’t spontaneously fix itself. (See Ainslie’s First Rule above). So I ordered some parts, watched a few videos and will be replacing the seal tomorrow.
Then if that doesn’t work, I’ll bite the bullet and replace the entire flush valve. Hopefully I won’t have to because that will be a more involved job.
But whatever. I can handle it. And, on the off chance that I totally blow it, I can always call a plumber next week.
This is the type of stuff that should be taught in public school. Instead, I learned how to solve quadratic equations, screen print a T shirt, make a napkin holder from sheet metal using industrial presses, diagram sentences and get slaughtered in dodgeball at gym.
I learned a few things about home repair from my grandfather and a few more from my stepdad. Most, I learned through trial and error as a homeowner. I envy people I know who had a solid foundation in home maintenance and repair. If I ever get enough of a bug up my ass about this, maybe I’ll lobby our school board to offer a class on this.