A toilet that leaks wastes gallons of clean water every day. This can be detrimental to the environment. It can also be expensive. In many situations, the leaky toilet problem is caused by the water tank behind it. This should be an easy do-it-yourself fix if you have a general idea on how to fix a toilet that keeps running. This problem is typically easy to spot because you will hear a trickling or running water sound. You might also see water flowing from under the bowl’s rim.
You can do a simple test if you do not see these common signs that point to a leaky toilet, but still suspect you have a toilet leak. Add a few drops of food coloring or dye into the water tank. Wait for at least 30 minutes and don’t use the toilet during this time. Your toilet is working as it should if the water in the bowl is clear. However, if the water has the same color as the dye you added, there is a leak.
How To Fix A Toilet That Keeps Running
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Fortunately, you can fix a leaky toilet in some instances. Listed below are four things you can do if you have a toilet that’s continuously running.
1. Check The Flush Handle Or Flapper
If you have a corroded or old flush handle, it might not operate as well as before. Flushing the toilet means that the handle lifts the arm inside the tank. It pulls the lift chain or wire that is linked to the flapper. Once the flapper is raised, water is released into the bowl. The flapper then closes, and the water is sealed inside the tank again.
Suppose the flush handle doesn’t bounce back to its initial position after flushing. This means that the flapper remains open. This will continuously release water into the bowl. After flushing, adjust the handle to put it back to its original position. If this doesn’t work, check the flapper and valve seal. There could be holes or cracks, which means you’ll need to replace the flapper. This part can be bought in local hardware stores and is easy to replace.
2. Check The Float Arm And Ball In The Toilet Tank
Open the water tank and inspect the float ball. This component is a softball-sized plastic ball that is connected to the float arm. It typically rises with the tank’s water level. Every time you flush, the float ball goes down a certain level that will signal the inlet valve to shut off, stopping the water flow. You might need to adjust the float ball so that it is at the right level. Twist the screw at the top of the ballcock to ensure that the float ball is always properly positioned.
Carefully inspect the float ball as well. Make sure there are no cracks and holes, as these will cause the ball to sink. As a result, the toilet will allow more water to flow into the toilet tank. All excess water will go to the overflow tube and into the bowl. This is where the running water noise is coming from. If the ball has any holes or cracks, the rod and float should be replaced.
Lift the float arm to see if the running water will stop. Bend the arm to adjust it and put some space between the ball and the tank wall. This way, the float ball remains in its proper position inside the tank.
3. Check The Fill Valve
A fill valve that is leaking will release water into the tank that will overflow into the bowl. You can check if this is the case by flushing the toilet to see if you have a leaky fill valve. As the tank fills with water, raise the float arm. Doing so should stop the water flow. Bend or adjust the float arm to stop the water flow when the water level reaches an inch or less below the top section of the overflow pipe. If the water keeps leaking from the fill valve, this component needs to be replaced. A new fill valve comes with instructions on how you can replace the old one.
4. Adjust The Position Of The Fill Tube
The fill or refill tube is made of flexible plastic. It is connected to the fill valve and is an essential component in the toilet’s refill mechanism. It is ideally placed on top of the overflow tube, with a clip keeping it in place. Make sure that the fill tube is in the right placement. If not, water will run into the toilet bowl continuously. Adjust the fill tube’s position to stop this problem.
What To Do If Your Toilet Keeps Running
Some toilet problems should never be conducted as a DIY project. Consult a professional plumber if the problem persists or gets worse or if you are unsure of what to do. A certified plumber will inspect and determine the toilet issue and recommend the best solution to repair it. Doing so will ensure that the plumbing problem does not reoccur and your toilet will be in tiptop shape for a long time.
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