| I am convinced the noise made by a running toilet is | | | | common culprit is the chain connecting the flush |
| a form of torture if you are trying to sleep. Here is | | | | handle and the flapper. If it becomes dislodged or |
| how to fix it and get some sleep. | | | | tangled, the flapper will not close completely. If the |
| In order to fix a running toilet, you need to first | | | | flapper does not close completely, the water will |
| understand how the basic mechanism works. The | | | | continue to leak through into the bowl. As the water |
| repair of the flush part of a toilet is one of the most | | | | level lowers, the float valve will drop and the fill valve |
| basic plumbing jobs. It requires no special tools and | | | | will begin to refill the tank. This is what causes the |
| can normally be done by the homeowner without | | | | continuous running. |
| professional help. When the flush handle is pushed, a | | | | It is sometimes the flush handle that becomes loose |
| ball valve or flapper at the bottom of the tank opens | | | | and does not allow the flapper to close completely. |
| allowing the water to flow from the tank. The water | | | | The flush handle can be adjusted by tightening or |
| flows into the bowl and dislodges the waste and | | | | loosening the bolt holding it in place. Also observe the |
| causes suction down the drain. | | | | float and the water level. If the water fills up to the |
| At the same time this is happening, a float operated | | | | overflow valve and does not shut off, you can |
| valve opens and the tank begins to refill. As soon as | | | | adjust the float. Usually this is done by either bending |
| the last water drains from the tank, the flapper or | | | | the rod holding the float or on more modern units |
| ball valve drops closed, and the tank refills. As the | | | | moving an adjusting nut. |
| tank refills, the float gradually rises until it shuts off | | | | It is estimated that 30% to 40% of your household |
| the filler valve. The cycle is then ready to start again. | | | | water supply goes down the drain with your flushed |
| It is easy to observe this operation. Carefully remove | | | | toilets. It can be very wasteful to allow them to run |
| the lid from the tank and place it safely aside on a | | | | continuously. Even after you have fixed the running |
| towel. Then run the toilet through several flush cycles | | | | problem, it is not a bad idea to place a stone or brick |
| observing the operation. Do not be afraid to touch | | | | into the tank to displace some of the water volume. |
| the water. It is fresh and clean water from the same | | | | The float valve can be adjusted also to lower the |
| source as your sinks. | | | | water level, but be sure there is enough water flow |
| Usually, observation will show you the problem. A | | | | left to do the job. |