4 practical fixes for a running toilet

When your toilet starts to constantly run, you don't need to rush out to a plumber. Here are four practical fixes for a running toilet.

• Remove the tank lid and find the fill tube.
• The fill tube is a small flexible tube that runs from the fill valve to the overflow tube.
• While the tank refills, this tube squirts enough water down the overflow tube to refill the bowl after the completed flush.
• If this tube falls off or the water stream misses the overflow tube, the bowl won't fill and your next flush will be wimpy.
• Reattach the fill tube and make sure it perches about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) above the rim of the overflow tube.
• Flush and watch the water stream to make sure it goes down the overflow tube.

• The water level in your toilet's tank is controlled by an adjustable float.
• A float that's set too low produces a weak flush; if it's set too high, water spills into the overflow tube and the fill valve won't shut off.
• Look for the fill level mark on the inside back of the tank and mark it on the overflow tube so you can see it more easily.
• Or, measure down about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) on the overflow tube and make a mark.
• Then flush the toilet and see if the water reaches and stops at that mark.
• If not, adjust the float up or down.
• If you have an old toilet, you'll have to bend the brass rod that connects to the float ball to make adjustments.
• With newer toilets you usually turn a screw or slide a clip along a rod.
• Flush the toilet after each adjustment.
• Also make sure that the water level is at least 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) below the C-L (critical level) marked on the fill valve.
• You can adjust the height of many valves to raise or lower the C-L.
• If the fill valve won't shut off, it's defective.
• Turn the water supply off at the shutoff valve under your tank and buy a replacement.

• A chain that's too short or tangled won't allow the flapper to close and water will continue to leak into the bowl.
• This causes the fill valve to cycle on and off to refill the tank.
• A chain that's too long, or a flush rod that hits the tank lid, won't open the flapper wide enough to stay open for the full flush.
• To avoid these problems adjust the linkage in the chain to leave only a slight bit of slack when the flapper's closed.
• Cut the chain at the rod to leave only about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) extra to reduce the potential for tangles.
• Then put the tank lid back on and make sure the flush rod doesn't strike the lid when you press the lever.
• If it does, bend it down slightly and readjust the chain.

• A fine black film often builds up on rubber surfaces
• Though scrubbing this film off the flapper can help your toilet run more smoothly, it's hard to scrub off of your hands, so wear gloves.
• If your toilet still runs after you've scrubbed off this film, chances are you have a worn-out flapper.
• Turn off the water, remove the old flapper and find an exact replacement.
• Some flapper packages include specific brand and model information — so be sure to note yours.
• If you can't find an exact replacement, try the closest one and pick up a universal type as well.
• Avoid the "adjustable" flappers unless you're replacing an adjustable one.
• Install your new flapper and make sure it opens and closes freely.
• If the water continues to run or runs intermittently, you're not getting a good seal, so try a different flapper.
• If you can't find a flapper that seals, consider replacing the entire overflow tube/flapper.

Keep these four practical fixes in mind when you're toilet's running to make solving the problem easier.