Toilet Repair in Gainesville, VA

Gainesville water and housing

Gainesville grew from a railroad and farm crossroads at I-66 and Route 29 into newer subdivisions and shopping centers, mostly since the mid-1990s. Only about 4 percent of homes in ZIP 20155 were built before 1980, and the 2000s were the busiest building decade. Many toilets here are the builder's originals, and their plastic fill valves and rubber flappers are now wearing out at the same time.

Prince William Water supplies most of the area and treats wastewater from western Prince William County at the Upper Occoquan Service Authority plant. Most of its water comes from Fairfax Water's plants, though some western customers receive water treated at the City of Manassas plant from Lake Manassas. The utility rates its East and West systems as moderately hard, 3.5 to 7.0 grains per gallon. Prince William Water owns the meter, and lines and connections on private property, including the toilet's supply, are the owner's. The customer is responsible for all water that passes through the meter, which is why a running toilet matters.

Repairing versus replacing

Signs worth a call

• The tank refills every so often with no one using it
• The handle has to be jiggled
• Water appears around the base after a flush
• Flushes leave paper behind
• The supply hose or valve is damp

Timing notes

In newer homes, many toilets in the same house were installed together, so when one starts running, the others may not be far behind. Having all of them checked on one visit can save a return trip and a second service charge. Summer humidity makes tanks sweat onto the floor; a heavy storm that bubbles a basement toilet is a reason to have the main drain looked at.