plumbing question?

Question

In the toilet tank, there is a tube that runs down from the water level to the tank bottom. There is a small hose that drips into the hose. The hose is connected to this other thing that stands top to bottom in the tank and that thing is connected to the flush handle on the outside. The hose began dripping, frequently, into the tube. Now it's pretty much running all the time. How can I fix it or should I call a plumber? Thanks

Answer 1

Your fill valve is thats running. First make sure that the little tube is not more then about 1/2" inside the flush valve tube. if is is it will create a siphon. just pull it up untill there is only 1/2" in the larger tube. If it doesnt work just replace the flush valve. They cost under ten bucks at a home or hardware store. Look on the left side under your toilet. Turn off the water at the valve coming out of the wall. Flush the toilet to get out as much water as possible from the tank. Place a bucket underneath the line going into the toilet. You will see two nuts on the same threaded shaft. Undo the first nut to remove the supply line from the fill valve. Undo the second nut to remove the fill valve from the toilet tank. The little hose from the fill valve should be clipped to or set inside a little ring of the other piece in the tank, the flush valve. unclip it. In the box look for the new fill valve, set of nuts and washers, a new clip, and a new small piece of tubing. Push the tubing onto a small barb at the top of the new fill valve.(look at your old one for an approximate location, they are very similar) Next find the rubber washers. Most of the time they will give you one two washers molded into one piece. Seperate the small cone shaper one from the other by simply pushing it out. Place the larger washer onto the fill valve. there should be one side with a raised ridge. make sure this is going to face down when you put the fill valve in the tank. Place the fill valve into the tank with the tube pointing twoards the flush valve tube.. you will feel the ridge i n the washer fit into the hole of the tank. Screw the nut with the same size opening all the way through onto the threads and when snug by hand, use a pair of channel lock pliers to snug it till its tight. Then replace your water supply line that you took off the first one. Snug the nut up good. then look for a clip that came with the new fill valve. sometimes a s shaped clip. push one end onto the end of a tube and place the other side on the fill valve tube. Sometimes there is no clip but a open style cap with a small opening for the tube. If the tube is too long cut it so it goes about 1/2" into the flush tube to prevent a siphon.( this happens when the tube from the fill valve goes too far into the flush valve tube. Turn the water on and wait for the tank to fill. Adjusting the amount of water that fills the tank is easy too. If it needs to be adjusted ask again and ill tell you how.

Answer 2

songbird092962 is right. Replace the entire shutoff valve assembly. That's the tall part in the left side of the tank that runs up from where the water comes in. It's less than $10, comes with instructions, and requires no special tools. You'll need pliers to get the old one out. The new ones can be hand tightened.

The part in the middle is probably OK. If the water still comes on periodically, you'll need to replace the flapper valve. That's the big rubber stopper in the bottom middle of the tank.

I also recommend replacing the line that runs from the wall valve to the bottom of the tank with a new stainless steel braided hose. You'll need a wrench to tighten the nut to the valve. Don't use Teflon tape and don't over-tighten the hose connections.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

The small hose that drips into the tube is used to refill the toilet bowl to the normal level after it is flushed. The inertial force of the flushing water once flushed will be very low and additional water is supplied by the hose through the tube into the bowl until the water tank is full and shut off. Unfortunately, the valve that supposed to close the hose water supply is not shutting off. You'll need to replace the other thing that the tube is connected to. It's very inexpensive and you can buy it from most home improvement stores.
Good luck.

Answer 4

This is adjusted by the shut-off valve, the little screw that's on the back side on the top of the float. You should be able to stop this flow by turning the small screw very little until it stops. It lets extra water into the stool while flushing.
You shouldn't have to "buy" anything.

Answer 5

Go to your nearest hardware store and buy the innards. it comes in a kit and you just follow the direction s to swap it out w/ the old. Someone at the store can help you get the right one.

Answer 6

your shutoff valve is leaking when it is supposed to be shut off if you have a little do it yourself talent you can buy replacement parts,and save a call to the plumbler.