Water Runs, Tank Doesn't
One of the most common leaks
occurs at the discharge opening at the bottom of the tank.
Sometimes the leak is easily heard and obvious; other times
it is silent. You can check for leaks of this type by using
either of these simple tests:
1. Place a few drops of
food coloring in the tank. If the bowl shows of food
coloring 10 or 15 minutes later, you have a leak.
2. Turn off water supply
valve directly under the toilet tank and leave it off
overnight. If the tank is still full in the morning, you
don't have a leak. If the water level has dropped, repairs
The problem may be in one
of these places:
The lift wires that raise and lower the
flush ball can become corroded or bent.
Smooth rough, corroded wires with steel wool or purchase
A lift wire that is out of alignment will
prevent the flush ball from dropping directly over the
flush valve. To realign,
loosen the set screw and move the wire back and forth
until the ball drops directly over the valve. Retighten
A flush ball that does not fit tightly on
the drain valve is sometimes the cause of a running
toilet. If the lift wires are
operating properly, the trouble may be a worn flush
ball. If the rubber has hardened or if the ball is out
of shape, purchase a replacement ball and screw it into
the end of the lift wire.
Often the flush valve can become rough
and uneven from corrosion.
This prevents the flush ball from sealing the opening
tightly. Drain the tank and smooth the metal opening
with steel wool. This will prevent water from leaking
under the flush ball.
When the flush
handle must be held down to complete the flushing action,
the lift wires may be at fault.
The lift wires may be raising the flush ball high enough to
prevent the force of the out rushing water from pulling it
back down too quickly. If this is the case, straighten and
re-bend the upper lift wire to shorten it. The shorter lift
wire will hold the flush ball well out of the way of the
An inadequate flush can
also be caused by the float ball being adjusted too low to
allow a full tank of water. To adjust the water level, bend
the float arm upward. If you've installed dams, they may
need to be moved back.
Leaks Under The Toilet
A leak at the outlet or
where the outlet pipe joins the bowl usually requires
removing the tank. This is not a job for the novice. Call a
plumber for repair.
Tank Fills, Water Still
Check the float
ball. It must ride high enough on the water to shut off the
intake float. The water level in
most tanks should be three-fourths of an inch below the top
of the overflow. If the water level is too high, adjust the
float position by gently bending the float arm slightly
If the float ball still
rides low in the water it may have a leak. Unscrew the old
ball and replace it with a new one. Non-corrosive plastic
balls typically are available for less than $2.00.
If lifting the
float rod doesn't shut off the water, washers inside the
inlet valve likely are worn. It is
simpler, but more costly to replace the valve unit than to
replace the washer. Removal of the worn valve and
replacement installation may require a plumber.