My toliet has been running for over a week - what do I do?

Question

I don't want to call a plumber - too expenisve.

It hasn't overflowed but keeps making noises and runs constantly. I'm wasting water but my bill won't go up (fixed water rate).

Should I just leave it alone because it isn't causing any problems?

I would like it fixed if possible and cheaply but it isn't a dire need. Could the running lead to more but serious problems?

Answer 1

I had this problem too and fixed it by doing the following:
*took the lid of the cistern
*adjust the ball cock so it stops running (ie lifted it until it was level with the water)
*then tightened the screw that attaches the ball cock to the rest of the flush mechanism.
This works because if the ball cock becomes loose it pushes down on the surface of the water making the cistern overflow & constantly trickle to refill. It should cause other problems, the constant trickle of water in the bowl (as it overflows) may stain it & it'll almost certainly get worse, so deal with it asap.

I'm not even mentioning the environmental impact of wasting so much water.

LOL Yahoo! has censored my correct use of the word c0ck!

Answer 2

It sounds like you have a leak in the flapper or the flapper is not going down all the way or it is not sealing right. If it is not going down all the way adjust the chain or piece to let it close. Try cleaning around the area where it seals also. If you still here dripping, then it probably has a leak. That's when you need to get a new flapper piece.

Shut the water valve off for your toilet and drain the tank. Then take the device off that allows the water to escape out of the bottom of your toilet tank. Take it into your local hardware store around the plumbing section and find one that closely matches it (grab store help if you need it). Then just replace the old piece with the new one and you should be ready to go. The total cost to fix it should be under $20.

Answer 3

if it's been running over a week catch it before it runs away! Don't like my humor maybe I should keep my day job.Anyway if you don't want spend any money just reach under the left side of the tank and you will find a valve there turn it off and your toilet will stop running turn it on when you need to use it. Call your landlord and tell him to fix it pronto because it is a crime to waste water.

Answer 4

you need to turn the water valve off down on the floor by the toilet flush it then take the round flapper valve out located in the back of the toilet take the chain off the handle lever that's hooked to the rubber flapper pull both rubber ears lose from the plastic stand pipe and remove it. Take it to your local hardware store. careful if the valve is old it will turn your hands black its really hard to wash off. buy the replacement part.
go home and fallow the removal instruction in reverse. be sure when you put the chain back on the handle that its not to tight or lose.

Answer 5

Take the top of the tank off. It comes right off. It weighs about 3-5 pounds. Put it down softly. Take a good look. The little chain needs adjustment or the black flapper needs to be re seated. It is easy.

Try it.

Answer 6

fix it,your flapper needs to be replaced or the ball valve need an adjustment depending on the age of toilet.

Answer 7

They all gave you the right answers so I'll give you the stupid one.
If your toilets been running for a week, it's probably long gone. get in your car and catch it

Answer 8

try flushing it.