How to Fix Common Toilet Problems

Problem: Water runs constantly
1. Adjust lift chain (or lift wire) so that flapper (or tank ball) seats securely in valve seat.
2. Clean valve seat and flapper or tank ball.
3. Check overflow pipe: if corroded, remove (unscrew) and replace.

Problem: Water overflows into overflow tube
1. Bend float arm down slightly.

Problem: Water continues to run after flushing
1. Bend float arm up slightly
2. Shake float to check if water has gotten inside, if so, replace
3. Clean valve seat and flapper or tank ball.

Problem: Whistling sounds coming from tank
1. Replace washers in ballcock valve plunger (located at top of water inlet pipe in the tank) or
2. Replace whole assembly with newer and more trouble-free floating cup-ballcock assembly.

Problem: Splashing sounds coming from tank
1. Reposition refill tube to flow directly into overflow tube
2. Replace washers in ballcock valve plunger (located at top of water inlet pipe in the tank) or
3. Replace whole assembly with newer and more trouble-free floating cup-ballcock assembly.

Problem: Tank doesn't flush completely / Usually have to flush more than once
1. Shorten lift wires or chains to make tank ball or flapper lift higher
2. Bend float arm up slightly
3. Shake float to check if water has gotten inside, if so, replace.

Problem: Tank sweats
1. Insulate tank by lining with fitted sheets of polystyrene or foam rubber, usually sold as kits at your local hardware store
2. Contact a plumber to install a tempering valve to heat the water in the tank.

Problem: Tank leaks
1. First, check to make sure all connections to tank are tight (be careful to not overtighten and crack porcelain), if so try to isolate where the leak is coming from. Your local hardware store will have dye tablets to help you spot the source of the leak
2. If you can't isolate where the leak is coming from, remove all fittings from the tank, remove the tank, clean, dry, and look for any possible hair-line cracks. If there is a crack, no matter how small, you'll need to replace the tank. However, if no cracks are apparent, now would be a good time to replace all the fittings. Mineral deposits accumulate in a tank over time and accelerate corrosion. I recommend replacing all fittings so you won't have to repeat this process 6 months from now for a different fitting.

Problem: Toilet leaks at base / Smell sewage in bathroom
1. Tighten nuts on base of bowl. Use care to not overtighten and crack porcelain.
2. Turn off water, drain tank, remove nuts and bolts securing bowl to floor. Remove wax seal completely from base of bowl / drain pipe. Replace wax seal following instructions on container. Secure bowl to floor using new nuts and bolts that should come with the wax seal, again, use caution to not overtighten and damage the porcelain.