Source
r/DIY•
HumbleDialog

Need help troubleshooting my toilet

One of the toilets in my house has been running constantly for a couple weeks. A small trickle of water has been streaming from the tank into the bowl 24/7. The toilet is only about 6 years old, if that matters.

I took the flapper off and it seemed pretty clean and in good shape to start with, but I cleaned it anyway. Cleaned the base of the flapper too. No change, still running.

I did notice that water comes out of the top of the filler valve and sometimes air bubbles come out of the filler tube (not sure about terminology - the tube the extends from the filler valve to the bottom of the tank and fills the tank with water). To me this indicates a leaky/bad filler valve. Which is fine and can be replaced if that's the problem, but I can't understand how that translates to water getting from the tank to the bowl. It still has to get past the flapper right? What am I missing?

First time trying to fix a toilet, so any help is appreciated, thanks!

Posted Jul 7, 2011, 5:50 PM UTC

318
Ray_gunn•

I just solved my 6 month old problem with the tank running after numerous flappers. I found my fill tube was below water level in the overflow valve and water was continuing to siphon after the tank filled. Pulled it up, cut 2", Bob's your uncle.

Crappy MSPaint drawing here

2
HumbleDialogOP•

Is your fill tube going inside your overflow tube, or am I misreading your drawing?

1
Ray_gunn•

It is/was hanging inside. Mine came with a clip to just clip it to the lip of the overflow tube but I got cheeky and just shoved it all down the tube, which caused my leak. The fill tube should just be able to shoot water down the overflow tube and be secure.

1
HumbleDialogOP•

Maybe you have a different design than I do. My fill tube just goes down to the bottom of the tank, not into the overflow tube. My understanding was the overflow tube was to just catch overflow water in the event the filler valve doesn't shut off properly, and plays no role in normal toilet operation.

So how does your tank fill if your fill tube goes down the overflow tube?

1
Ray_gunn•

Mine is like the first (b/w) drawing.

1
someThrowawayGuy•

I had the same issue in one of my toilets.. I originally thought it was the flapper like you, and actually fully replaced it... Didn't fix it!

Turned out that the fill valve had a hair fraction in the base, couldn't even see it until I pulled it out of the toilet and searched hard for it (used colored water to test to actually find it).

Replaced it with this floating valve: http://www.lowes.com/pd_101071-868-528PK_0__?productId=3365394

Good product, easy to install... Although my toilet was too short to put the locking pin in place (you'll see if you get one like this what that means).

2
Ray_gunn•

Korky is king! I will never buy another crappy fluidmaster.

1
HumbleDialogOP•

Thanks for the help.

Can you help me understand how a leak in the fill valve equates to a running toilet? I can't wrap my head around that.

The valve you link to seems to cause a lot of problems for some people, others love it. You've had good experience with it? How long have you had it?

1
someThrowawayGuy•

I've never had any issues with that fill valve, but it's also only been about 3-4 months... in a bathroom only guests staying over-night use...

As for the leak, I'm not sure... it seemed like water was flowing out of it into the tank, and then would go into the flush/overflow valve, causing continuous, albeit slow, flow

1
alvarezg•

When the fill valve doesn't shut off the tank will continue filling and will eventually overflow. The overflow tube inside lets the excess water run into the bowl. Normally the fill valve is set to shut off 100% at a level below the overflow tube and no water is wasted. Most fill valves can be repaired with a new gasket.

Sometimes the flapper gets warped by chlorine in the water or sooner by in-the-tank cleaners. Warped flapper doesn't seal, get a new one.

1
omgnowai•

Is the water running into the overflow pipe (which bisects the flapper)?

If so, you're valve isn't turning off. Lift the floater to see if it ever turns off the valve. If it does, there's a water level adjuster you can use to fix your problem. If the water is still coming out of the valve when you lift the floater all the way up, you need a new valve.

1
HumbleDialogOP•

Thanks, but no, that's not it. The water level sits right at the water line, roughly an inch below the top of the overflow tube. I've tried lifting up on the float anyway, but no success. Good thought though.

1
lostmyfoundit•

I would push on the flapper, and see if the water ceases. If it does, it could be there's water getting through somehow. Try replacing it. If that doesn't solve the issue, check the flush valve. That's the mechanism that the flapper actually sits on, and the rubber seam that it sits on can sometimes go bad. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2repairtoilet should have some additional info here.

1