Plumbing DIY: How to Fix a Running Toilet

No matter the age or condition of your home, plumbing problems are bound to pop up. Big or small, these problems require timely attention and often a professional should be called. However, there are a few instances where you can roll up your sleeves and fix the problem yourself, and definitely save a few bucks. The plumbing experts at Indy Renovation are here for you when a professional is needed, but also want you to be fully equipped with the tools and know-how to tackle easy fixes on your own. A constantly running toilet is one of the most common plumbing issues that clients call about. Here are two things to try before bringing in the pros.

Check the Rubber Flap

Inside the tank, the handle is connected to a rubber flap that seals shut the hole in the bottom of the tank. If the flap is not properly sealing the hole, the toilet will continue to run. Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet while watching the flap. Is it getting stuck or obstructed by something such as the chain? If you do not see an obvious obstruction, you could have defective parts within the toilet flush valve.

Check the Ballcock Valve

The second most common type of toilet leak is caused by an improperly adjusted or broken fill (ballcock valve). If the float is set too high and if the shut-off valve fails to close completely, water will continue to enter the tank and flow into the overflow tube. This type of leak can be seen by simply removing the top of the tank and observing whether the water is flowing into the overflow tube once the tank is full. If this is the case, follow the following process to fix the problem:

1. Reset the tank water to a lower level by using the fill valve’s water level adjustment clip
2. If it is a Float Cup-type valve, squeeze the two sides of the metal clip together, then slip the clip down the rod
3. In the case of a Float Ball-type valve, lower the water level by bending float arm slightly downward.

Still having trouble with that leaky toilet? Do you have another plumbing issue that you’re just not sure about? Don’t hesitate, contact Indy Renovation today at (317) 375-4464 in a plumbing emergency or to get a free estimate. We serve Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, and the surrounding areas, and are happy to handle any problem big or small.

Sources:

solvitnow.com