My toilet will just start running water even though I didn't flush it. Why does this happen and what can I do to fix it
2007-07-10 13:01:45 · 8 answers · asked by skhrah5579 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
You've got an evil little dwarf living in there, playing with the flap.
Or, less likely, it's just a flap that needs to be replaced. Cheap and easy.
2007-07-11 03:50:01 · answer #1 · answered by unpeufou2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Change out your flapper - when you do though make sure you take some very, very fine sand paper (that is barely abrasive) & rub the lip of the douglas valve that the flapper sits on.
May have to cut out the ring & use the ears of the flapper - just make sure that you don't leave any pieces that hinder the drop of the flapper.
Also, on tightening the chain, pull tight till flapper lifts up & then back it down just a bit (too tight & the flapper will leak & not enough & you will have to hold the handle down to flush).
Be very careful in taking the old flapper off - they get hard & should probably be changed out every 6 mo to a year - especially if you use chemicals in your tank & have hard water.
One way to check for leaks after you change out the flapper is flush & let it completely shut off, let the water rest & take one square of toilet paper & place it in the water on the edge (without actually touching the edge).
No leaks - the paper will not move - any leaks & the paper will move around the bowl.
2007-07-10 15:44:25 · answer #2 · answered by windeee thumper 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Miniscule leak in the flapper. You do NOT have to remove the tank to repair this as a matter of fact you can get a replacement flapper (universal type) at Home Depot that will work with most toilets and install it yourself in less than 5 minutes. I recommend the red ones, I personally install a dozen of them avery month. The new ones are made of neoprene but the older black ones can be quite nasty to pull out. But a set of latex gloves while you are at the hardware store and save yourself a half hour of hand scrubbing. Dont be afraid of this project it is one of the easiest things you can repair in the toilet.
Good luck!
2007-07-10 13:35:28 · answer #3 · answered by mthourot1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the flapper is leaking,,in the tank,, look at the bottom ,you will see a rubber flapper that stops and releases the water ,change this and see if it stops,,you may have to change the entire flush mechanism ,,you have to remove the tank for this,,nothing to it ,,just remember you are working with porcelain and it breaks
2007-07-10 13:21:41 · answer #4 · answered by daorangejello 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the flap that stops water from entering the bowl is wearing out. You can buy replacement parts at lowes or home depot, they are easy to replace.
2007-07-10 13:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by kathygetgo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mechanism inside the cistern has become worn and no longer sealing properly. You can get a new part or it may be easier just to replace the whole cistern
2007-07-10 19:07:01 · answer #6 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you may have a slow draining pipe somewhere in the house therefor backing the system up
2007-07-10 14:08:16 · answer #7 · answered by travler312 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you probably have a bad flapper.
2007-07-14 07:43:20 · answer #8 · answered by luka 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋