Thanks to all for your suggestions and theories about the problem with
my toilet. Turns out the black rocks came from the water softener. Even
though we haven't used it for many years, impuities can still come from
the softener and clog up the lines.
George E. Cawthon wrote:
wrote:
I've replaced the fill valve twice {Fluidmaster 400} because the toilet
won't shut off. I've found out why. I'm seeing small black
rocks{charcoal,rust?} floating around in the toilet. They get under the
rubber seal in the fill valve preventing it from shutting off. It
flushes fine a couple of times and then keeps running. Now my wife did
open up the safety valve on the water heater, which she shouldn't have.
Someone told her it would be a good idea to release pressure once in a
while. Is it possible there are rocks in the heater that are going
through the pipes to the toilet?Seems like this problem started after
she messed with the water heater.If not, what could these rocks be? I'm
at a loss to know where thay are coming from. Frustrated. Thanks for
any responses.


Don't blame your wife, although to be blunt, she
is incredibly ignorant about water pressure. The
pressure will almost immediately stabilize at the
original pressure when she closes the pressure
release valve. The problem is that the valves
don't like to seal after being opened, especially
if they are closed under pressure. In other
words, if you test the pressure valve, which you
shouldn't, you need to close the cold water inlet
valve when you release the pressure valve to close.

But, the hot water system has nothing to do with
the commode. You may have stuff in the cold water
line and it may have been there for a long time.
You need to flush the line. To do that turn off
the inlet valve and unscrew the fill line (if you
have a flexible metal clad pipe) at the bottom of
the tank and put it in a bucket and turn on the
valve. If you don't have a flexible line, then
buy an 18" one that will fit the inlet valve,
remove the line from the valve to the tank, and
attach the flexible line. If you don't get any
little black particles, you know that stuff in the
line is not a problem.

BTW, do you or your wife put crap in the tank to
clean or sanitize the bowl when you flush? If you
do, welcome to wonderful world of the scammed
consumer. NEVER put any chemicals in the tank! Or
you many end up with your problem.