What Parts Do I Need to Replace For My Toilet To Stop Running?

Homeowners commonly face toilet problems like clogs and leaks. Another of the most common problems is a running toilet. If this sounds like you, don’t despair. A toilet is a simple mechanism which means that a quick and easy DIY solution is entirely possible. You need to start with the parts and figure out what is broken.

If your toilet is running, then you can usually narrow it down to one of these parts.

Broken Fill Tube

The fill tube in your toilet tank functions to keep the tank from overflowing (i.e. into your toilet bowl, which can contribute to your running toilet problems).

When you flush your toilet, water fills your toilet tank from the water supply valve. As it fills, a floater gauges when it’s reached the appropriate level and switches off the fill. If it fills beyond the desired level, the fill tube will siphon off extra water, with the assistance of the overflow tube.

The first step is to determine if the tube is submerged. If it is, you’ve got to make sure that the end is exposed so that it will drain correctly. Secondly, check to see if the tube itself is broken or damaged.

Damaged Flapper

The rubber stopper in your toilet tank lifts up and down to control water flow in your toilet after you flush. It lifts up to let water through and then settles back in place once the bowl is full, sealing against more water flow.

However, if your flapper is cracked or broken, or if the seal around the flapper is otherwise compromised, that’s your problem right there. It’s pretty easy to tell as well. You simply place pressure on the flapper. If the water stops flowing, you’ve answered your question.

Take the flapper out and bring it with you to the hardware store. Bring it home and change it out according to the instructions on the package.

Fill Valve and Float

Some other potential problems could be the fill valve or float. The float is a ball or a cup that regulates how high the water goes in your tank. If this is malfunctioning, the toilet never stops draining.

These are easy fixes. For a ball float, just bend the arm back in place. For a cup float, adjust the pinching mechanism that attaches it to the system.

If none of these seem to be the problem, it might be the fill valve. The fill valve is what lets you adjust the fill height in your tank. Drain your tank and remove the valve. Take it to the store with you to make sure that you get the right replacement part.

If your plumbing problems are moving beyond your DIY skills, we’d be more than happy to step in and help! We’ve got the expertise, training, and tools to get your job done quickly and efficiently. Call PhD Mechanical, Inc. in Wayne, NJ today at 973-492-5931.