Pesky Toilet – Running Water, Float and the Flap
Toilet running (water)? Check the float, the flap, water level and water flow.
Start with the possibilities the water ‘filling’ the toilet, continues to run… water not turning off (float), flap broken down, deteriorating or debris (such as toilet cleaner puck/tablet)?
Quickly, I wanted to share two things you can do to stop the toilet from leaking/running. First, the flap, check the flap, is it the right size? Has it become discolored, degraded beyond ‘it’s use’? If so, make note of the size, remove and replace. Easy. Adjust the flap ‘sinker’, replace chain on the handle. Done. Next, the float. The float might be a little ‘fishy’, check to see if the float is in fact floating, which turns the water off, once the water fills the volume of the tank to said set float height. Nuance, you’ve got to check water height, water pressure etc. but the quick fix… turn off the water, drain the tank, vacuum out any/remaining water (dont forget a bucket of some sort as it’s helpful in tight spaces). Loosen plastic nut(most are plastic these days) connecting tank to water spout. Same for the float nut, it will be the other connection point under the tank, assuming a modern toilet. Once, hose has been removed and float unscrewed, remove float assembly, and hose connecting the ‘out flow’ pipe; which might be a secondary leak point. Lastly, replace what was removed to apply the new materials, and turn the water on.
Quick fix for a running toilet. Not technical, but everyone’s got one, and from time-to-time our appliances and fixtures breakdown. Keep this handy fix for the next time you sense a leaky toilet.
