How do I stop my toilet from running?

Question

It runs water and stops by itself. Sometimes it won't run water for hours and sometimes every 8 seconds (I've kept track of it) other times its like every minute. If I am lucky the toilet won't run water and I'll be able to take a normal shower.

Answer 1

SOunds like two things, both involve the flapper. Flapper is old and not seating properly, replace it....cost 3-5 bucks. Chain too long and getting caught under flapper. Shorten Chain....cost.....zero.....Peace of mind now that you can take a shower....Priceless.

Answer 2

Cut it's legs off! Ok, had to do it, but really take the tank lid off and inspect the flapper valve (follow the chain from the flush handle down) If you have used any in the tank cleaners, you are very likely to have a noticable warp in the flapper. This is cheap and easy to replace. A second possible problem would be the float level is too close to the top of the overflow tube. You can adjust it down on a typical toilet arrangement by bending the float arm down slightly. A third possibility is the seat under the flapper valve has a defect in it. This can be fixed by either replacing the seat/overflow assembly or possibly by buying a replacement seat/flapper combination. This uses plumber's putty to attach the new seat with a new hinge point for the flapper valve. Finally, the gasket on your overflow could be bad, then you have to remove the tank and purchase a kit with a new overflow assembly.

Answer 3

i had this problem and the plumber replaced a pressure valve where the water comes into the house. It was a small pyramid shaped thing that keeps your water pressure constant. When it breaks, there is too much pressure against the toilet valve and it has to release every so often. Water pressure inside the house should not be greater than 55 lbs. Mine was over 110. The outside pressure varies as other people use water or when the washing machine goes on etc. Thats why it stops sometimes.

peace

Answer 4

Have a plumber take a look at it. Why wait? It may be in the arm that has the ball on the end of it. Usually at the opposite end of the ball, is a place where you can make an adjustment with your finger or a screw driver. Your toilet should only run after flushing it, until the tank refills itself.

Answer 5

And after you fix the toilet, replace the shower valve with a constant-flow model that's not affected by pressure changes.

Answer 6

You have a fault in your toilet cistern either the inlet valve
or the float.If you can't deal with it yourself get a plumber.
You are wasting so many gallons of clean water that many
of your countrymen died from lack of.

Answer 7

For the first; easiest; least expensive; best likely cure; give the 10 to Massive.

99% of all similar issues relate to the FLAPPER, and its SEAT.

Steven Wolf