How do you fix a toilet that keeps running?

Question

It randomly runs at night and throughout the day. How do you fix this?

Answer 1

You need a new flapper. Also, check the chain to the flapper to see if it got kinked or something. Sometimes it does that and then the flapper isn't seated 100% and water leaks slowly. You can buy a kit at the hardware store to eliminate the flapper altogether if you want to. Easy fix.

Answer 2

If the toilet is only leaking water from the tank really slowly, then what you will see is that the water in the reservoir will gradually go down until it causes the float to drop sufficiently. When this happens, it triggers the toilet's inlet valve to allow water back into the tank so that it is back up to the "full" point.

Since the leak is very gradual and only noticed when you leave the toilet alone for a while, you get that sudden sound of running water that lasts all of 3 seconds. Not a major problem, but wastes water and can make it difficult to fall asleep at night.

If this is what is happening at your home, it is most likely the big black flap at the bottom of the reservoir that is worn and is no longer maintaining a full seal around the hole in the bottom. Corrosion or something around the gasket could be letting that bit of water trickle out.

What you will need to do is go to Home Depot or whatever DIY place you have nearby and get a replacement toilet flap. They should sell these separately but may come in a kit.

Shut off the water to the toilet, flush it once or twice to get the water out of the reservoir, then go ahead and disconnect the flap, remove it according to the directions supplied with the new flap (usually two screws) and put the new one in.

You will have to attach the flap's chain to that little plastic "sideways" container at the bottom, and getting it the right length might be tricky if you are not used to it, but it is certainly not rocket science.

Check on Google or Yahoo for a how-to guide. There are a couple of them and they show good illustrations or pictures of how to change these things.

Answer 3

The most common solution is to replace the flapper in the toilet bowl. A more serious solution is to replace the ball cock assembly.
The flapper holds water in the tank until the handle is pulled and the chain pulls up the flapper releasing the water in the tank, thereby flushing the toilet. The flapper returns to seal the hole until the next flush. If the flapper is no longer sealing the hole tightly, the toilet leaks water from the opening causing the water to run until the tank is filled.
The ball cock assembly is the part that the water goes thru to fill the tank. If the assembly has worn out, it continues to run constantly, usually driving you crazy.

Answer 4

Check the flapper at the bottom, it sounds like there is water leaking out from this and causing it to run. Either the chain is not long enough that hooks to the flapper (try loosining it up a link or two and see if this helps) or you may need to replace the flapper (which is easy and inexpensive). Try the chain first adn see what happens and if no luck there replace it and you should be good to go. Water is escaping the tank from there and causing it to run. Also check the water supply line to the bottom of the tank, if this is leaking could be your source of the toilet running. Good Luck.

Answer 5

it depends on how old the stool and how many different people have cobbled it up before you. Some one before me has or had them so screwed up there was no replacing of the flapper that would shut off, if I could hook to it to make it flush.

After 9 different plastic bubbles of sure fixes, I called the plumber, he looked at it and said buy a new stool.

I finally took the stool out in the yard and replaced all the hardware etc. Still use the old tank and stool. Some one had use stove bolts in stead of brass or copper. I was the biggest part of a day getting it all in working order.
That was one, the plumber was giving me good advice. I will buy new ones to fix the other 2, they are both working at the moment.

Answer 6

This is usually because the rubber stopper is not fully plugging the drain hole in the tank behind the toilet.

It may not be broken, just needs adjusting.

Lift the lid to the tank. The water is clean even if it looks a little gunky.

You'll see a chain that goes to the handle you use to flush the toilet.

Try flushing and watch what happens. It is kind of interesting.

At the bottom of the tank, there should be a sort of flap (usually rubber) that will eventually settle down and plug the hole at the bottom of the tank.

You should simply use your hand to ensure that flap is fully plugging the hole. If it doesn't then your toilet will keep running and even flushing itself.

Answer 7

right this is the answer. The drift bulb will boost and shuts off a valve this is placed in the fill tube area. those placed on out and sometime desire substitute. try the valve with the help of lifting somewhat on the drift, If water shuts off. examine the drift bulb for water in it. If none, feels like valve may be undesirable. it rather is a marginally elementary restore in the experience that your mechanical. additionally examine the flap on the backside of the bathroom tank. this is have been water can run continuously if no longer totally closed. yet another elementary restore. the two areas might nicely be purchase at your interior of sight ironmongery shop. once you flush, an basic chain pulls up the flapper and releases the water to bypass out the bowl. After the water leaves the tank, the tank desires to replenish and then supply up filling while finished. this is performed with the help of the drift which shuts off the valve.

Answer 8

Jiggle the handle. If that doesn't work, open the tank and check the stopper. It might not be down all the way. If it's not then you have to put your hand in that cold tank and adjust the chain. Works every time.

Answer 9

well the best thing to do is, whenever you think it's going to start running, stand in front of it and stop it in it's tracks. then tell the toilet that it can't run away, because you need it when you have to do number one or number two.

Answer 10

Buy a new flapper kit at the hardware store.