Running Toilet

Walk by ur bathrm & hear the water refilling when no 1s n there? This is called having a running toilet.

A) lift the tank lid off the tank & set it down on the toilet bowl lid. look down n2 the tank. The water will b clear unless u have rust n ur tank, but its basically clean water. its the water that refills ur bowl after its flushed. If its blue, it just means some1 has put a cleaner additive n2 the tank & u show wear rubber gloves thru the next steps.

B) @ the bottom of the tank, there is a hole that should b covered by a rubber stopper, which is linked by chain 2 an arm that is linked 2 the flusher handle.

C) First, check 2 c if the chain is caught under the stopper. This will cause water 2 leak n2 the bowl & the tank 2 not fill completely. Just pull the chain out & allow the tank 2 fill. If the water sound stops once the tank is full, the problem should b solved. u may need 2 shorten the chain a link or 2. This can b done by simply adjusting the links the same way u would on a swingset chain.

D) Second, if the chain was not caught under the stopper, but instead, the stopper cant close cuz the chain is 2 short, u need to either lengthen the chain or buy a new 1. The chain can be lengthened the same way u adjust the links on a swingset chain. A new 1 can b purchased @ walmart, big lots, or any hardware store 4 - than $10. They are not hard to install, again, look a@ it as if ur adjusting a swingset chain. pay attention 2 where the old chain is attached @ each end. check 2 make sure the new chain isnt 2 long & able to get caught under the stopper.

E) Third, if u tried the above & the water is still running, u may need @ replace the rubber stopper. This can also be purchased @ walmart or any hardware store 4 - than $15.

1) look behind the toilet at the wall. find the water shut-off valve & turn it off.

2) when looking down n2 the tank, notice that there is a tube about 1.5" n diameter standing straight up from the bottom. the top of this tube should b above the water level. It will have a smaller rubber tube attached to the top, which may b black.

3) unhook the smaller "black" tube by just pulling it off & pointing it down n2 the tank, you should b able 2 pull the stopper straight up & off the larger 1.5" tube. Place the new stopper n the same position as the old 1 & push it down against the hole. Carefully replace the smaller black tube n the same position it was 2 start with. Turn the water valve back on. flush 2 check ur work. DO NOT FLUSH B4 THE "BLACK" TUBE IS BACK N PLACE.

F) Fourth, if the above fixes didnt solve ur problem, the entire guts of the tank may need to be replaced. The tank guts can b purchased as a set @ the same stores mentioned above & will start @ about $20. This set will include pieces that r plastic or metal. Consider whether ud rather have a weaker plastic flusher arm, or a metal one that will rust n ur tank, a cheaper plastic flusher handle, or a pricier metal one, and so on.

1)Turn off the water valve behind the toilet.

2) The flusher handle can b detached right where it is by unscrewing it inside the tank. Careful not 2 strip it if it has a plastic screw.

3) the stopper can be removed following the directions above in E2.

4) all of the water in the tank must b removed. i do it using a cup until its too low, then a sponge.

5) The remaining guts can b removed by loosening a plastic screw on the bottom exterior of the tank on the left side. be careful not to strip the screw n case u need it 4 the new set. pay close attention 2 how the guts looked b4 u removed them. u can even take a digital pic as a reference.

6) position the new guts, being sure to reattach the hoses & tighten the screws.

7) install the rubber stopper as directed above in E3.

8) Now ur should b ready 2 turn the water valve back on. check 4 a leak under the left side of the tank b4 doing anything else. then, allow time 4 the tank 2 fill. u will no its done when u walk by & the bathrm is silent. check once more that the chain isnt caught under the stopper.

And thats it!