| Flush toilets are generally very simple mechanisms | | | | not be returning properly to its seat and the water is |
| that have not changed much since they were first | | | | not stopped from running out of the tank. Make sure |
| invented. The tank on the back of the toilet is filled | | | | the chain is long enough to let the flush valve close |
| with water and there is usually a float controlled | | | | properly. |
| valve that stops the water flowing into the tank | | | | If the flush valve is old, it may have become |
| when it is full, this is called the ballcock valve. There is | | | | hardened or bent in such a way that it is not closing |
| a second valve controlled by the handle on the toilet | | | | properly. This is usually what causes your toilet to run |
| that releases the water in the tank so it flushes the | | | | intermittently. A new flush valve is only a few dollars |
| bowl, this is called the flush valve. When the handle is | | | | at your local hardware or plumbing supply store. Be |
| released the flush valve should close and the tank | | | | sure to take your old flush valve and the make and |
| should fill again until the float reaches a level that | | | | model of your toilet with you when you buy a new |
| shuts the ballcock valve and stops the water flowing | | | | one. To test your flush valve before you remove it, |
| into the tank. | | | | try adding some food coloring to the water in the |
| If your toilet keeps running then this indicates that | | | | tank and then watch the water in the toilet bowl to |
| the water is continuing to run into the tank and one | | | | see if it starts to change color indicating that water is |
| of the valves is not working correctly. There is an | | | | escaping from the tank into the bowl. It may take a |
| overflow tube in the toilet tank to prevent water | | | | few hours for the water in the bowl to change color |
| from overflowing the tank and onto the floor. The | | | | if it is a slow leak. |
| water in the tank is clean water directly from your | | | | To empty the tank to remove your flush valve, first |
| household supply and there will usually be a tap just | | | | shutoff the water to the tank at the tap below the |
| below the toilet to shutoff the flow of water to the | | | | toilet then flush the water from the tank. Disconnect |
| tank. | | | | the chain or lever from the flush valve and slide it out |
| Flush Valve | | | | of its hinging mechanism. |
| The flush valve is the first suspect if your toilet | | | | Ballcock Valve |
| keeps running. If the flush valve does not stop the | | | | The other suspect that might keep your toilet |
| water from flowing out of the tank then the float will | | | | running is the ballcok valve and the float. Usually this |
| not reach a level to shut the ballcock valve and the | | | | is adjusted correctly when the toilet is installed but it |
| water keeps running into the tank. If your toilet runs | | | | is possible that the float is not rising high enough to |
| intermittently then it could be a slow leak through the | | | | shut the ballcock valve. If the water is running down |
| flush valve and the float may rise enough at first to | | | | the overflow tube then this is an indication that the |
| shut off the water but then slowly the water level | | | | ballcock valve is not shutting. If you add food coloring |
| drops until the ballcock valve opens again to let in | | | | to the water in the tank and you do not see a |
| more water. | | | | change in the color of the water in the tank after |
| If jiggling the handle stops the toilet running then you | | | | waiting a few hours then it is probably the ballcock |
| should look at the chain or lever than connects the | | | | valve that is not working correctly. You may see |
| handle to the flush valve. The flush valve may look | | | | adjusting screws on the top of the ballcock valve |
| like a softball sized rubber ball on a hinge type | | | | connected to a rod that holds the float. You want to |
| mechanism at the bottom of the tank. It is | | | | lower the float so it shuts the valve sooner as the |
| connected by a chain or lever to the handle so it is | | | | water rises. Sometime bending the rod a bit to lower |
| pulled up on its hinge from its seat (the hole at the | | | | the float also works. You should also check to make |
| bottom of the tank) and the water escapes. If the | | | | sure that your float is actually floating. |
| chain is tangled or the lever bent the flush valve may | | | | |