GAINESVILLE - It's a tiny piece of hardware that's costing some people a large amount of money. A weak plastic valve found on the back of many toilets can sometimes rupture as the water pressure changes. 

 

These valves can be found on the connector between your wall and the toilet. A typical brass connector will cost around $15. But some contractors' choice to save money by buying a cheaper, and weaker plastic valve, has ended costing a few Gainesville condo owners a lot of time and money. 

 

Plumbers say these types of ruptures are more likely to occur at night, when fewer people are tapping into the water supply, causing the volume in the pipes to increase, and the water pressure to rise. While the change in pressure is very small, it has been enough to rupture these weaker plastic valves, especially when they are screwed on too tightly.