Can you fix a running toilet? There is nothing more irritating than trying to get to sleep at night and you can hear the toilet running. Not to mention the cost that is being added to your water bill.
Not sure if this is your problem? See the articles 'Troubleshooting Toilet Problems' and 'Fixing a Leaking Toilet' for a complete list of toilet repair topics.
We are glad to report that this is a solvable problem. In fact it may not require parts or any expense at all. Learn the tricks and techniques. You can definitely fix a running toilet yourself.
Most of the time repairs on your that involve water running in your toilet will be simple. Less often you will have to replace a part. This in not the end of the world, just a bit more work. Take a breath a see what you need to do, it won't be that hard.
It could be as simple as adjusting the float. Yes, really, a five minute adjustment could do it. Is it worth five minutes to maybe save a hundred bucks? Where I come from that is a pretty good wage.?
Fix a Running Toilet - Information
What Can You Save?
Having a repairman fix a running toilet will cost you $50 to $100 for a service call, plus parts, if required. It is unlikely that you need a new toilet if it is running constantly. Savings = $50 to $100. Repair a running toilet, it could be five minutes work, fifty dollars for five minutes. I'll work for that any day.
How Hard Could It Be?
In most cases it is easy to fix a running toilet.
Check the Simple Things!
Adjusting the float is simple, check the steps below. Check the chain on the flapper, it may be hanging up. Adjust if necessary.
What Can Go Wrong?
You may have heard horror stories about toilets and dirty water. The water that is running in your toilet is still clean water, thankfully. The toilet tank stores that water until it is needed. Anything that can be damaged by water should be removed from the area before the repair is attempted. Failing to drain the tank down can generate a lot of water on the floor and surrounding area. Getting the toilet partially repaired before it gets too late or the parts store closes can leave the toilet not operating. One trick is that a toilet can be flushed by dumping a couple of gallons of water quickly into it from a pail. This emulates the normal function of the tank.
How To Fix a Running Toilet
Proper Water Levels
The water level of a tank influences both the flushing and whether or not the tank runs constantly. The article 'Checking a Toilets Water Level' discusses the issues with this problem. Improper water levels can also cause the toilet not to flush correctly.
Adjusting the Toilet Float
To change the water level in a toilet tank, you will need to adjust the float. There are some different types and the methods for adjusting them vary. See the article 'Adjusting a Toilet Float' for the easiest fix for this type of problem. A constantly running tank is likely in need of adjustment.
Fill Valve Problems
You may have tried to adjust the float and the toilet is still running. 'Checking the Toilet Fill Valve' covered what to do when the fill valve has gone bad.
Checking the Toilet Flapper
The toilet flapper is another item that causes a toilet to run. The article 'Checking a Toilet Flapper' covered this issues with this part of your toilet.
Summary
Listening to water run in your bathroom is an irritating thing to put up with. Hopefully the information on this subject has helped you to fix a running toilet. The instructions above and the related articles should have helped you to solve your problem.
Admit it, it was not that hard. Actually most toilet repairs are straightforward. If you followed the steps and were successful, you are another homeowner that has been able to make their own home repair.