A running toilet not only creates a lot of noise but also wastes a lot of water and increases your water bills. We don’t want any of these issues for you and have compiled a quick guide for how you can fix your running toilet by yourself.
A running toilet is usually caused by a worn-out fill valve. As time goes on, a leak may develop and force the toilet to run incessantly. With the help of a new fill valve and a bit of elbow grease, you can get your toilet back in working order without excessive water waste or running noise.
Tools & Materials Needed
- Pliers
- New fill valve
- Hacksaw
Replacing a Fill Valve
1. Shut off the Water Supply
First things first, turn off the water supply. You can do this by turning the nozzles on the bottom of the toilet or by turning off the main water supply to the entire house. Make sure to flush the remaining water out of the toilet, wiping away excess water as necessary. This will prevent a giant, wet mess while you are working to repair your toilet.
2. Remove the Old Fill Valve
Locate the lock nut on the fill valve and unscrew it. After the locknut is removed, gently lift the fill valve and set it aside.
3. Place the New Fill Valve in Position
Take the new fill valve out of its packaging and locate the instruction sheet. Using those instructions, place the new fill valve in its position.
Make sure that the overflow valve is at least one inch lower than the fill valve. Using a hacksaw to saw it down, if necessary.
Don’t forget to replace and re-tighten the locknut underneath.
4. Connect the Fill Tube
Now it’s time to connect the fill tube to the fill valve nipple. Take the end of the new fill tube and attach one end to the fill valve nipple and the other end to the angle adapter.
When that’s done, place the angle adapter on the overflow pipe. Then, make sure that the flapper chain is attached to the flush level.
5. Turn the Water Supply Back On
Now that everything is in place, turn the water back on. Check the toilet’s flushing function to see if your repairs were successful. If the fill valve replacement proves to be successful, place the lid back on the toilet and clean up your materials.
That was simpler than it seemed to be, huh? Call Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for assistance if the fill valve replacement didn’t fix your running toilet.
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