how to fix toilet flush?

Question

when we flush the toilet the water just keeps on running and has sometimes done this for the whole night. It doesn't seem to register when the flush system is full and the water runs into the overflow system

Answer 1

You don't need a plumber, this can be a very simple thing to sort out.

Lift off the cystern cover and look at the arm/valve, you'll there is a float attatched to it that floats on the water and pushes the arm up.
This upward movement closes the valve so it probably just needs adjusting and this is done by a small screw head.

This is the hard bit for me to tell you where it is, it's very difficult to discribe as there are a few diffrent ones but try looking on the top or the arm, it will probably be a plastic bolt shape with a slot in the end for you to put a screw driver in.

Some arm/valve systems are brass but most are plastic these days.

You just need to turn this half a turn (you might see it pushing on the valve adjuster) and flush the toliet to see if it has improved or got worse if you went the wrong direction. Keep turning half a turn then flush again till you see the water settle below the top of the overflow pipe.

You might have a worn valve/seal in which case it can be easier to change the whole arm/valve assembly as they are not expensive. You can just change the seals but depends how much messing about you want to do.

A plumber is easier but you'll have £30 call out so just ask a friend, might sound sexist but most men seem to know about toilet cysterns, it's a man thing!

Answer 2

1. lift (remove) the cover on the water tank
2. if there's a ball float attached to a metal rod, lift it (very gently) and see if the water shuts off. If the water shuts off when you lift the ball all you need to do is adjust the ball float. There's 2 ways to do this. 1-where the metal rod is attached to the valve there's an adjustment screw, just tighten it down a bit. 2, bend the metal rod down (in an arc) about an inch, but DO NOT apply any pressure to the point where it connects to the valve, or you will probably break it off!! Best way to do this, if you've never done it before is to unscrew the rod from the valve, bend it, then screw it back on. Should fix the problem, but if the water continues to run when you lift the ball, the entire flush valve should be replaced. (not expensive)
3. You should see a mark on the inside of the tank to indicate the best water level, it's a raised ceramic line in the tank. Adjust the flush valve to shut off the water when it reaches this mark.
4. Best option is to replace the old flush valve with a new one (the better valves do not use a ball & rod, they have an adjustable float.
to replace the flush valve assembly; (you'll need a pair of 8" slip joint pliers or a large adjustable wrench)
1. shut of the water supply to the tank, then flush the toilet, hold the handle down until the tank is as empty as it can get.
2. Use a pan or small bucket, to catch the remaining water, and disconnect the water supply line at the bottom of the tank.
3. unscrew the retaining nut and remove the old valve.
4, install the new valve, and make sure the float doesn't touch the side of the tank to insure it doesn't bind.
5. reattach the water supply line, turn on the water and check for leaks at the connection point.
6. adjust the float to shut off the water at the proper level.

Installation instructions are usually printed on the new flush valve container. Your cost = about $5 US.

Answer 3

This is great fun - take the lid off the cistern and play with the bits inside - push them up and down, left and right - learn how they work. It's a very simple mechanical system, but you may have to take the behaviour of water under pressure on trust alone if you can't see the water tower from your house.

You'll figure it out, honest.

You don't need to pay a plumber, but you may need a new ball-c0ck or some other piece. Many can be fashioned with common household items, just like on Blue Peter. I once fixed dear old mum's toilet with a keyring (it was a Manchester United Keyring, best use one of those things has ever been put to)

Answer 4

Replace the ball inside the tank, or the lever, mechanism and/or valve associated with it.
The ball is supposed to float in water and closes the valve that lets water in when it is raised by the water at a certain level.
Sometimes, it is just the small chain that gets disconnected that has to be reattached.
See if the lever has not broken.
See if the valve still closes.
If you do not want to look or poke inside your tank (it could be full of some murk), call a plumber.
If above does not make sense because you have some fancy toilet bowl appliance, call a plumber.

Answer 5

Sounds like your floating ball is stuck or broken, try adjusting the arm so it's not stuck on anything, ie the flush valve, either that or adjust the height level on the refill valve so the ball can float higher. You could possibly have a leak (water leak). Put some ribena into the cistern and let it sit there. If you get blackcurrant into the toilet bowl without flushing then that is probably the cause

Answer 6

well the stopcock (ball thing) isnt broken, if the toilet fills with water then stops its working. NO YOU DONT NEED TO TURN OFF MAINS its not the water supply its the suction plate at the bottom on the syphon. the syphon drags water up an airtight seal which inturn drags the rest of the water through the syphon. sometimes the plastic machanism (usually a sheet of thin plastic) rips and tears making it difficult to flush, this is when most toilets break at the user needs to flush harder, faster and multiple time to achieve a flush(as there are air gaps in the seal due to tears) replaceing the handle should be simple as the plunger of the syphone is usually connected via a simple ring of steel connected to the pipe (usually coloured blue to make it easy to see) then the other half connected to a lever on the end of the steel rod ocnnected to the handle, unscrew the white plastic nut and replace the handle usuing the same nut so that you always have a spare. hope ive helped

Answer 7

Bend the toilet float rod downward so that it shuts off the waterflow before it reaches the top of the overflow. If you bend it down too far, you may not have enough water in the tank to flush the toilet right. Experiment with how much you need to bend the bar to shut off the water at the right time. It's easy to do.

Answer 8

It sounds like the washer in the ballcock valve. This is the cheap option as you can usuall unscrew the valve and fit a new one (after you turn off the water).

Usually, the problem is limescale so you just try cleaning the valve but for all the trouble, best to replace and be sure.

Answer 9

ballvalve wants a new washer or the ballvalve is sticking or the ballvalve wants ajusting
diapram valve screw in the screw were the arm meets the valve body clockwise
if a brass valve bend the arm down a little use a pair of grips on the arm BUT do not put presure on the ball
if it is a washer you have to strip the valve to pieces to get to it if you dont know how to do it call a plumber and watch him do it then you will know next time how to do it

Answer 10

Bend the metal bar down a little so the ball will shut off the water at a lower level. You may have to do this a few times, and only do it about a half inch each time.