One of the toilet flush problems is water constantly running and adding to your utility bills. Normally, after flushing, water will fill the tank and stop at a certain level to be available when the next user will flush the toilet again. With water continuously running, it can be annoying.
First, it will help to know the components that are responsible for flushing the toilet. There are three parts that comprise the flushing system: fill valve, flush valve and flapper. The fill valve is what is responsible for the supply of water. It is connected to the water line and also has a float that goes up as the water is refilled. It stops when the water level is enough. The flush valve, on the other hand, can be found at the center of the water tank. This is where the water goes when you the toilet and the water goes down to the pipe into the septic tank. The flapper is the rubber that rises when the toilet is flushed.
Here are the steps in fixing toilet water running continuously:
Step 1: Inspect the fill tube. Remove the lid of the tank and search for the fill tube. This is a small tube connected to the fill valve. It emits a small amount of water as the tank refills. If it is loose or has fallen off, just secure it back and see to it that it is higher at least an inch above the rim of the overflow tube. If this does not solve the problem, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Adjust the water level. Check the rubber float. If it is too low, the toilet might not flush well. If it is too high, this might result to an overflow situation and the water will be constantly running. Try flushing and check the water level. If it is either too low or too high, adjust the float. For newer models, you can use a clip to slide the rod or turn the screw a bit. If your toilet has a brass rod that is connected to the float ball, simply bend it. If problem is still present, go to Step 3.
Step 3: Check the flush handle and the flapper chain. If the flapper chain has a length that is more than what it should have, this can affect the fill valve and result to water running. If this is the case, you need to shorten the chain just enough for it to close the flapper and to prevent tangles. Test by flushing the toilet. If the problem still persists, proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: If after all the three steps have been done and water is still continuously running, the problem might be on the flapper and the solution is replacement. Shut off the water that goes into the tank and remove the flapper. Bring it to the local hardware so you can get the correct type. Once you have the new flapper, you can now replace the old one.
