Running toilets are no joke. They’re a real nuisance and everyone is probably at least a little bit annoyed by them. But how do you deal with a running toilet?

There’s not much you can do but wait it out, right? WRONG! In this post, we’ll show you how to fix a toilet that flushes when it’s not supposed to.

From fixing a leaky valve to resetting a float arm, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix a running toilet. Keep reading to learn how to fix a running toilet and get your bathroom back to normal.

How Do You Know Your Toilet Is Running?

You might hear a humming noise when you pull the seat down. If you don’t hear a noise, or if you’re not sure, check the toilet’s operation to make sure it is running. You can do this by adding a little water and checking to see if it flushes normally.

Also, check to make sure the handle is turned all the way to “OFF.” If the handle is on, the flapper will rise and fill the toilet with water. This can cause the pipes to freeze, causing the toilet to stop up.

After using the bathroom and the toilet is still running, it could be due to one of these issues:

• A clogged toilet – Add 1-2 cups of baking soda and allow it to sit for a few minutes before removing any build-up in the toilet with a toilet auger or by hand.
• The float valve is stuck – Check that the float is positioned correctly by turning the water off at the supply and sitting on the toilet.
• The siphon hose is disconnected – Reconnect the siphon hose to the toilet’s tank.
• The float is stuck – Turn the float arm all the way down.

How To Stop A Running Toilet

If you’ve got a toilet that runs when you don’t want it to, there are a few things you can try. Try putting a few drops of liquid clog prevent in the toilet. This will help keep the toilet from running when it’s not supposed to.

If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get down and dirty with a little toilet repair work. First, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and remove the toilet by flipping it backward.

Next, remove the water supply line by unscrewing the supply line from the wall. You don’t need to disconnect the water line to the toilet itself because that’s going to be long gone by now. This will leave you with a few exposed pipes: The overflow pipe, the waste line, and the siphon hose.

The overflow pipe connects to the top of the toilet and can usually be accessed by popping off the bottom of the toilet.

6 Ways To Fix A Running Toilet

We’ve got some great tips to help you get your running toilet fixed. Check these out to get your toilet working again.

– Clean The Valve – If the valve is dirty, it could be letting water through slowly. So get out your toilet brush and get cleaning.

– Test The Water Supply Line – Test the water supply line by adding water to the toilet and checking for leaks. If there’s a leak, you’ll need to replace that water line.

– Reset The Flapper – If the valve is dirty, the flapper might be getting stuck. To reset the flapper, take the top cover off, remove the flapper and pull it down.

– Make A Handle Replacement – If the handle is worn, it might be broken or cracked. Get a handle replacement to prevent the handle from breaking.

– Install a Lock – If you’ve tried all of the above and it’s still running when you don’t want it to, it might be time to install a lock.

Fix A Leaky Valve

If you’ve tried everything else to fix a toilet that flushes when it’s not supposed to, you might want to check the valve. Open the shutoff valve on the water valve and take the toilet bowl lid off. If the valve is leaking, you’ll see it leaking from the valve.

To fix a leaky valve, you’ll need some valve parts. A new valve gasket is not necessary unless it’s worn out, so don’t buy one if you don’t need it.

If the valve is leaking at both ends, you’ll also need a new valve stem. If the valve has just one leak, then you can just replace the valve stem. If the valve is not leaking, you can attempt to repair it by filling the valve with Jell-O.

Reset The Flapper

If the valve is not leaking, but the flapper is stuck, you can reset the flapper by removing the handle, turning it upside down, and pressing the flapper down with a rubber mallet.

This should allow the flapper to reset and work as intended. If the flapper still isn’t working or you want to make sure it won’t get stuck again, then you will need to replace it.

To replace the flapper, remove the toilet tank lid, take out the old flapper, and put the new one in. Make sure to put the rubber band back on the new flapper.

Make A Handle Replacement

If the handle is broken or cracked, it can break off in your hand. To prevent this from happening, get a handle replacement. This will help you keep your toilet from running when it’s not supposed to.

To install the handle, turn off the water at the shutoff valve and remove the toilet. Take off the water supply line by unscrewing it from the wall.

Next, remove the toilet tank lid, and then remove the toilet bowl lid. To install the handle, put the new handle on and then turn the toilet back over and reinstall the toilet bowl lid.

Install a Lock

If none of the above has worked and your running toilet is just downright annoying, it might be time to install a lock. This will prevent anyone from using your toilet when it’s not supposed to be used.

There are several types of locks you can install to prevent someone from flushing your toilet.

– A Keypad Lock – A keypad lock is the most common type of lock used. It uses a code or number to unlock the toilet, which will require a key or code to turn off.

– A Security Lock – A security lock will require a key or a special code to activate a sensor that will turn off the water.

– A Sensor Lock – A sensor lock will sense if a toilet is flushed and will turn off the water. It is the most secure of the locks.

Conclusion

This post has shown you how to fix a running toilet. From fixing a leaky valve to resetting a float arm, we’ll give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix a running toilet. Keep reading to learn how to fix a running toilet and get your bathroom back to normal.

Last update on 2023-06-29 at 08:28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API