How to Fix a Running Toilet

Check inside the toilet tank for a leaky flapper, bad fill valve, or overflow pipage at the incorrect peak.

Time

An hr or less

Complication

Beginner

Price

Less than $twenty

Introduction

Fixing a running toilet is a lot easier than you might recall. In this article, we'll show yous how to identify and solve the problem. Don't exist intimidated by the plumbing. The fixes are straightforward, fifty-fifty if you don't accept whatever plumbing experience. And then stop wasting water and ready the toilet!

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • May need new fill valve

Project step-by-step (v)

Footstep 1

Test the Flapper

  • Push downwards on the flapper with a stick when you hear the water running and listen for it to stop.
  • If it stops, you know the flapper isn't sealing properly. Supersede it.
  • Check the fill tube length and cut it back so it's at to the lowest degree 1/ii-in. to a higher place the water line.
  • To replace the flapper, first shut off the h2o supply valve under the toilet (or the primary supply if the valve leaks!).
  • Flush the toilet to drain out nearly of the h2o, then unhook the old flapper.
  • Buy a new flapper of the same type and install it co-ordinate to the instructions on the package.
  • Hook the flapper chain onto the flush lever arm so there'due south a little slack when the flapper is airtight.

Toilet Troubleshooting: Test the Flapper

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The Family Handyman

Footstep 2

Check the Fill Valve for a Leak

  • Flush the toilet and look for a fill valve leak.
  • Lift upwards on the toilet float arm when the tank is filling to come across if the h2o stops.
  • Curve or adapt the toilet float arm so the tank stops filling when the h2o level is 1/2- to 1-inch below the top of the overflow pipage.
  • If the fill valve notwithstanding leaks, replace it equally shown in the side by side photo.

Toilet Troubleshooting: Check the Fill Valve for a Leak diagram

Footstep 3

Remove and Replace Former Toilet Fill up Valve

  • Plow off the water supply, affluent the toilet and sponge the remaining water from the tank.
  • Disconnect the h2o supply line, unscrew the fill valve locknut and lift out the quondam fill valve.

Toilet Troubleshooting: Remove the and Replace Old Toilet Fill Valve diagram

Stride 4

Install the New Fill up Valve

  • Insert the new fill valve into the tank co-ordinate to the instruction canvas and tighten the locknut a half turn past hand tight.
  • If the fill valve is at its maximum height, but the overflow piping is still higher than the disquisitional level mark, shorten the overflow piping with a hacksaw so it's one inch lower than the disquisitional level mark on the fill valve.

Install the New Fill Valve diagram

Step 5

Connect the Fill Tube

  • Attach i stop of the new fill tube to the fill up valve nipple and the other to the enclosed angle adapter (shorten the tube to avoid kinks, if necessary).
  • Clip the bending adapter onto the overflow pipage.
  • Finish the installation by attaching the flapper chain to the affluent lever every bit described above.
  • Plough on the water and exam-flush the toilet.

connect fill tube running toilet

Originally Published: November 25, 2022