Any of yall handypersons? What's your opinion on this?

[raccoon]

a family member told me in their house, both toilets will run about 5 seconds totally on their own (when nobody is monkeying with them). One does this approx. once an hour. They both do this in cold weather but not in summer.

Their water is real expensive so this is a big deal for them. (And it would be a waste of water anyway you look at it.)

What do you think?

[siligut]

1. Old toilets?

Replace the flapper valves, very easy to do.

[raccoon]

5. The house was built around 1984. Don't know if toilet apparatus has ever been replaced. nt

[suninvited]

2. their water level drops in the tank

for some reason, so it is just refilling and stops when the float gets to the top. I have had houses that do the same thing. I dont know of any way to stop it unless you can figure out why the level slighty drops and how to stop it.

Maybe a plumber will come along with an answer.

Also, it seems that this has always happened in the older houses I have lived in, so maybe a brand new toilet might be in line if their water is that expensive.

[pintobean]

3. siligut is correct.

Unless there's water on the floor, it's the only explanation. With colder water in the winter, the rubber contracts some and is less pliable. The flange that the flapper seats on should be cleaned, as well.

[SwampG8r]

4. bad flappers

probably have new ballcocks assemblies in an old tank
the water has to drop a good bit to set one off
combine it with a leaky flapper and it runs alone every once in a while

[Bennyboy]

6. Bad Flappers would make a great band name....

Flad Bappers!

[SwampG8r]

9. i hvae the best band name ever

and never got to use it so i will give it to you
it lends itself to marketing so well

ready?......
Sinister Midget

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. Locking...

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Ballcocks? Leaky flappers?
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No sex threads.
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[pintobean]

8. Depends