Repair a Running Toilet

You have an early appointment, and the sound of your running toilet is keeping you up all night. Not only is the sound driving you crazy, but it could end up costing you a boatload of money when the water bill comes in. You can probably repair a running toilet on your own. Don’t be afraid to try it before you shell out your hard-earned cash on a plumber to repair a running toilet. (Sidenote: You can save a ton of money on your water bills by installing efficient water-saving toilets.)

The first thing you should do in your attempt to repair a running toilet is to take the lid off of the back of the toilet and flush a couple of times to get an idea of what goes on in there. When you push the handle, a thin chain pulls open a flapper, allowing the tank’s water to empty into the bowl.

If the water is still running a few minutes after flushing, the flapper is probably not closing. This is usually the reason for this problem, and it is one of the easiest issues to fix when you repair a running toilet. Check to ensure that nothing is getting in the way of the flapper closing properly. The chain may be getting in the way because it’s too long, or there may be a small object of some sort at the bottom of your tank getting in the way. If the chain is getting in the way, you can easily readjust it to a shorter length. If you can’t see anything visibly prohibiting the flapper from closing all the way, push it down by hand. If the problem persists then your flapper may be old and worn, and in need of replacing. The good news is that parts for repairing a toilet are usually pretty affordable.

There is one final check to do on your toilet if you find that your tank is full and your flapper is securely closed, but your toilet is still running. If this is the case then the excess water is running into the overflow tube and you may need to adjust the valve and float device. The float tells your toilet when to stop taking in water. This is a slightly more difficult process when you repair a running toilet. If your float is a ball on an arm, try adjusting the small screws on top of the valve. If your float is around the valve post, then you pinch the metal clip and slide the float down the wire. More information on this website

Both of these tips should help you repair a running toilet.