How To Fix A Running Toilet 3 Causes How To Fix Them

If this happens regularly, it’s a sign that your chain might be the wrong length. Open the tank and check how long the chain is running from the flapper to the handle. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/86/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-1Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-1Bullet1-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/86/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-1Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-728px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-1Bullet1-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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The flapper is a round rubber seal that stops water from draining from the tank and into the toilet bowl. When you flush the toilet, the chain pulls the flapper up so fresh water can fill the bowl. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/2/27/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-2Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-2Bullet1-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/2/27/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-2Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-2Bullet1-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} Problems with the flapper are among the most common causes of a running toilet. It’s almost positively the flapper’s fault if the water occasionally stops running and/or the water doesn’t overflow into the overflow valve (the hollow pipe in the middle).

When the chain is too short, it will pull up on the valve when it shouldn’t, allowing water to drain constantly. When the chain is too long, it can get caught underneath the flapper and prevent a seal.

You can clean a dirty flapper that’s got mineral buildup on it. A flapper that shows other wear-related problems should be replaced.

When the flapper is clean, put it back in place. Attach the hooks on the side to the pins on the overflow tube. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/9/93/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/9/93/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg/v4-728px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet1-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} Turn the water back on and let the toilet tank fill. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/1/18/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet2-Version-3. jpg/v4-460px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet2-Version-3. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/1/18/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet2-Version-3. jpg/v4-728px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-5Bullet2-Version-3. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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<br />\n</p></div>"} Listen for the sound of water running to see if that fixed the problem.

To attach the new flapper, fit in into place and attach the hooks on the side to the pins on the overflow tube. Turn the water back on and test the flapper to see that it’s functioning properly, and that the toilet isn’t running.

Your fill valve is the tall pipe structure on the left side of your tank. The spline is the vertical piece that sticks out towards the handle and moves up and down when you raise it. This process is identical regardless of whether you have a ball float-style valve or one of the newer floatless valves.

Put a bucket under the fill valve where your supply line feeds into the tank. You may end up spilling a little bit of water while you carry this repair out. {“smallUrl”:“https://www. wikihow. com/images/thumb/8/89/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-8Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-460px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-8Bullet1-Version-2. jpg”,“bigUrl”:"/images/thumb/8/89/Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-8Bullet1-Version-2. jpg/v4-728px-Fix-a-Running-Toilet-Step-8Bullet1-Version-2. jpg",“smallWidth”:460,“smallHeight”:345,“bigWidth”:728,“bigHeight”:546,“licensing”:"<div class="mw-parser-output">

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If that nut happens to be plastic, don’t use a wrench or channel locks. Just twist it off by hand.

Take the old assembly to the hardware store when you purchase the replacement. That way, you can be sure to get the right size and style fill valve for your toilet. You can replace older ball float fill valves with more modern float cup style ones if you’d like. The float fill valves and the non-float fill valves are functionally identical—the non-floats are just easier to adjust.

Don’t overtighten the nut so hard that you end up cracking or damaging the bottom of the valve. So long as the supply line is tight and leak-free, you’re good to go.

Test the fill valve when you’re done. Turn the water back on and check the water level. Make sure the fill tube isn’t in the water, and listen that there isn’t any water running. Adjust the float height if necessary. [14] X Expert Source James SchuelkeProfessional Plumber Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.

Flush the toilet and let the water in the tank refill. Check the water level. Ideally, the water level should be 1 to 1. 5 inches (2. 5 to 3. 8 cm) below the top of the overflow tube. Continue adjusting the screw by quarter turns until the water level is right. [16] X Research source

Flush and refill the toilet tank. Check the water level. Continue to make adjustments until the water level in the tank is 1 inch (2. 5 cm) below the top of the overflow tube. Frankly, you can even just bend the metal float arm if you can’t get the ball to sit low enough. [18] X Research source

Some people have had success zip-tying the fill tube in place to keep it from popping off.