![\"toilet](\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/toilet-flapper-valve.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nInside your toilet tank, there is a small rubber valve called a toilet flapper. Th toilet flapper prevents the water from draining by sealing the flush tube.<\/p>\n
When you flush the toilet, the lever lifts the flush valve, allowing the water to drain. A worn-out toilet flapper or flush valve is the number one cause of a running toilet.<\/p>\n
Shut off the water to the running toilet so you can check the toilet flapper for problems. The shutoff valve is behind the toilet tank and connects to the water line.<\/p>\n
Many older toilets do not have water supply lines with shut off valves. If that\u2019s the case with yours, try turning off the main water supply to your home. After you shut off the water, flush the toilet.<\/p>\n
Remove the Toilet Tank Lid<\/h3>\n
But, before you do so, grab a towel and lay it somewhere away from the toilet bowl where it won\u2019t get in the way. Place toilet lids that are made of ceramic on the towel to prevent yours from getting scratched. See this post on toilet tank parts<\/a> for more help.<\/p>\n If the chain that pulls the flapper is too short or too long, it can also cause problems. It will pull up the flapper if it\u2019s too short, or it can get underneath the flapper if it\u2019s too long.<\/p>\n Whatever the problem is with your toilet bowl, the fix is simple. First, if the flapper chain is too short, remove its hook from the lever. Then, to give the chain more slack, move the hook up two links or more if needed, but not too many as there should be enough tension for everything to work correctly. Then, reattach the hook to the lever.<\/p>\n If the chain is so loose that it keeps getting caught under the flapper, remove the hook, and then remove a few links from the top of the chain using a wire cutter. Attach the hook back onto the chain and hook it to the lever.<\/p>\n If the toilet keeps running, you need to remove the flapper so you can properly inspect it. First, pull the edges of the rubber valve from the mount pegs located on the overflow tube.<\/p>\n If the flapper has mineral buildup on it, the mineral deposits may be preventing it from sealing correctly. So first, clean it off and then put it back in place; this might be the solution.<\/p>\n If you have a toilet that keeps running, and the flapper appears worn out or damaged, it\u2019s time to get a new toilet flapper. There are various types of rubber valves, so it\u2019s best to purchase a universal flapper. You don\u2019t need to waste time trying to find the perfect replacement.<\/p>\n But, you will need to make sure you get the right size of flapper for your toilet bowl. For example, if the rubber valve in your toilet tank is the size of a grapefruit or a softball, you need a 3\u2033 flapper. If it\u2019s the size of an orange or baseball, you need a 2\u2033 flapper. Toilet flappers can also cause problems with the toilet tank not filling correctly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once you get a new flapper, mount it on the pegs and hook the chain to it. To check whether this has solved the problem, turn the water back on and flush the toilet. If the toilet still keeps running, the water level in the tank may be the problem.<\/p>\n In every toilet tank, there is a tube that prevents the water from overflowing. The water will continuously drain down that tube when the water level is too high.<\/p>\n In the middle of the tank, you\u2019ll find an open tube. First, examine the overflow pipe with the tank full while the water is still running. If the water continuously runs from the tank into the toilet overflow tube, you need to lower the float.<\/p>\n The toilet float is a device that lowers or rises with the water level. It\u2019s attached to the fill valve. When the float reaches a certain height (when there\u2019s enough water in the tank), it \u201ctells\u201d the valve to shut off the water. So, you can adjust the water level by adjusting the float valve.<\/p>\n There are two main types of floats. Your float is either a float cup fill valve or float ball fill valve, the image above has a blue float cup.<\/p>\n Float cup valve: If there\u2019s a tiny plastic cylinder wrapped around the valve, it\u2019s a float cup valve. This type of float works by sliding up and down the valve shaft.<\/p>\n On top of the toilet valve, you\u2019ll find a screw. You can adjust the height of the float by turning this screw counterclockwise. A quarter turn should do it. To check whether it has worked, flush and refill the toilet tank.<\/p>\n The water level should be 1\u2033 to 1.5\u2033 below the opening of the overflow tube. If necessary, turn the screw a bit more.<\/p>\n Float ball fill valve: If you find a rubber ball floating in the tank, that\u2019s a float ball valve. It should have a long float arm that connects it to the valve. If there\u2019s water inside the float ball, you will need to replace it. A universal float ball should be easy to find.<\/p>\n Float ball fill valves are adjusted much in the same way as float cup fill valves. At the point where the float arm is attached to the valve, you\u2019ll find an adjustment screw. To lower the float arm, turn the screw counterclockwise.<\/p>\n Flush the running toilet and wait for the tank to fill. If necessary, continue adjusting the screw. If you can\u2019t get the water level to be 1\u2033 to 1.5\u2033 below the opening of the overflow tube, the valve is most likely not working correctly.<\/p>\n Generally, it\u2019s a good idea to replace this valve about every five years as it wears out over time. After that, you can install a universal valve, but the top of the valve should be 3\u201d above the top of the overflow tube, so it needs to be the right size.<\/p>\n Most universal valves allow you to adjust the height, but if you don\u2019t want to take any chances, you can bring your old valve to the hardware store to find the perfect replacement.<\/p>\n Like in step one, you need to shut off the water to the running toilet completely. Then, flush the tank and make sure it\u2019s empty.<\/p>\n Before you disconnect the water hose, place a plastic container underneath it. You\u2019d want to avoid making a mess if there\u2019s some water left in the hose.<\/p>\n Grab a pair of pliers and unscrew the lock nut that secures the water hose to the underside of the toilet tank. Now you can safely disconnect the water supply line.<\/p>\n On the underside of the tank, there\u2019s another lock nut that holds this valve in place. Use an adjustable wrench to remove it. Then, you can remove the valve.<\/p>\n The new valve should come with a shank washer, a cone washer, and a refill tube. With the beveled edge of the shank washer facing down, put the shank washer onto the bottom of the valve.<\/p>\n Then you can place the valve inside the tank. Next, place the cone washer onto the part of the valve that is sticking out outside the tank, where it connects to the water pipe. Each washer must create a water-tight seal around its connection point.<\/p>\n Now, you can tighten the lock nut. It\u2019s best to do it by hand as you don\u2019t want to tighten it too hard. You can easily crack the toilet tank if you tighten the lock nut with a wrench.<\/p>\n Attach the new refill tube to the nozzle located at the top of the valve. Then, clip the other end of the refill tube to the overflow tube.<\/p>\n While ensuring the washer is firmly in its place, connect the water hose to the valve. Then, turn the toilet water back on and wait until the tank fills.<\/p>\n Check the instructions to see what\u2019s the correct float height for your new valve. Then, turn the adjustment screw to adjust the float. When adjusting the height of the float, you can use a tape measure to make it easier.<\/p>\nAdjust the Toilet Chain Length on the Running Toilet<\/h3>\n
Check the Flapper for Damage<\/h3>\n
Clean the Flapper<\/h3>\n
Replace the Flapper<\/h3>\n
The Water Level is Too High<\/h2>\n
Adjust the Toilet Float<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDetermine the Type of Float in Your Toilet Tank<\/h3>\n
The Fill Valve is Broken<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nDisconnect the Toilet Water Supply Line<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRemove the Fill Valve<\/h3>\n
Install the New Fill Valve<\/h3>\n
Attach the Refill Tube<\/h3>\n
Adjust the Float<\/h3>\n
Flush the Toilet<\/h3>\n