How to Fix a Leaking Toilet

A continuously running toilet can waste thousands of liters of water every day, causing your water bills to rise significantly and disrupting your daily household activities. Timely repairs not only save you money but also eliminate the nuisance of the constant noise. Here are some common reasons why toilets leak water, and you can easily fix them without the need for special tools or expertise. The key to solving the problem is identifying the cause and the location of the leak. Once you pinpoint it, you'll be able to fix it quickly.

Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Before inspecting the issue, make sure to turn off the water supply to the toilet. Pull the lever to flush all the water from the tank. This ensures that water won't flow into the tank while you're examining the toilet.

• The flush valve is a round rubber piece responsible for preventing water from flowing from the tank into the toilet bowl. When you flush, a chain pulls the rubber cap up to allow clean water to flow into the bowl.
• A malfunctioning flush valve is one of the most common causes of a leaking toilet.

Lift the toilet lid and inspect the inside. Place a towel in a corner or in a spot that is clear of obstructions. Grip the ceramic lid with both hands and carefully lift it. Set it on the towel to prevent any impact or damage.

• The toilet lid is made of a heavy and fragile material, so be sure to place it in a secure location.

Check the length of the chain connecting the flush valve to the handle if necessary. If the chain is too long or too short, the flush valve won't function properly. A short chain may leave the valve open when not needed, causing continuous water flow into the bowl. A long chain will prevent the valve from lifting when the handle is pulled, stopping the water from flowing.

• If the chain is too tight, detach the hook connecting it to the handle, move it up one or two notches, then reattach it to the chain and handle.
• If the chain is too long, use metal pliers to trim the excess from the top part of the chain. After adjusting it to the right length, reattach it to the handle.

Inspect the flush valve to identify any issues. Remove the flush valve by detaching the hinge between it and the overflow tube, which is the open tube between the tank. Look for any signs of buildup, warping, discoloration, rot, or other damage.

• If there is mineral buildup, clean the flush valve.
• If the valve is misshapen or damaged in any way, it should be replaced.

Clean the flush valve. Over time, mineral deposits from the water may accumulate on the flush valve, preventing it from sealing properly and causing continuous water flow. To clean it, soak the valve in a bowl of vinegar for about 30 minutes, then use an old toothbrush to scrub away any buildup.

• Once the valve is clean, reinstall it in its original position. Reattach the hinge pin to the overflow tube and valve.
• Turn on the water to fill the tank.
• Listen for the sound of the water running to check if the issue has been resolved.

Replace the broken flush valve. Take the damaged flush valve to a specialized store and purchase a replacement that matches in shape and size. You can also opt for a universal flush valve that fits most toilet models.

• To install the new valve, place it in position and secure it to the hinge on the overflow tube.
• Turn on the water and test the flush. If the water no longer flows continuously, you have successfully fixed the issue.

Check the water level. If the flush valve isn't causing the toilet to leak, the next common culprit is the water level. If the water is too high, it will overflow through the overflow tube.

• When the tank is full and water continues to flow, check the overflow tube. The overflow tube is located in the middle of the tank, connecting the tank to the bowl.
• If you see water flowing constantly into the overflow tube, the water level might be too high. Adjust it by lowering the float ball.

Identify the type of float ball you're using. Water enters the tank through the supply valve. The float ball is attached to the water supply pipe to control the water level. The height of the float determines when the tank is full and the supply valve closes. You can lower the water level by adjusting the float's height. There are two main types of float balls:

• A round float ball, where a horizontal rod connects one end to the water supply valve and the other to the float ball.
• A cone-shaped float ball, which features a small cylinder surrounding the water supply valve.

Lower the float ball for the round type. On top of the water supply valve, there's a screw connecting the horizontal rod of the float to the valve. By turning this screw, you can adjust the float's height. Using a screwdriver, tighten the screw a quarter turn clockwise to lower the float.

• Flush the toilet and wait for the tank to fill. Recheck the water level.
• In theory, the water level should be about 2.5 to 3.8 cm below the top of the overflow tube. Continue adjusting the supply valve screw until the water level is just right.

For the cone-shaped float ball, it's the same process. Similar to the round float ball system, the water supply valve for the cone-shaped float also has a screw for adjustment. Tightening or loosening the screw will raise or lower the float. Turn the screw a quarter turn clockwise to lower the float.

• Flush the toilet and wait for the tank to fill.
• Check the water level.
• Continue adjusting by tightening the screw a quarter turn clockwise until the water level is 2.5 to 3.8 cm below the top of the overflow tube.

Check the water supply tube if the toilet is running continuously. The water supply tube is connected to the fill valve, responsible for refilling the tank after it has been emptied. This tube must always remain above the waterline; otherwise, water will keep flowing. Once the tank is full, make sure the supply tube is not submerged in water.

• If the supply tube is submerged, you can fix it by trimming it slightly so that the end of the tube stays just above the waterline.

Turn off the water and drain the tank. After checking and repairing the flush valve and water level, if the toilet still isn't functioning properly, the issue likely lies with the fill valve. The solution is to replace the fill valve. To do this, you need to drain the tank:

• Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
• Flush the toilet to empty the tank.
• Use a sponge to soak up any remaining water in the tank. Soak the sponge in the sink, wring it out, and repeat until no water remains in the tank.

Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Outside the toilet, there's a water pipe leading to the tank. To shut off the water, turn the valve on the pipe. Twist it a quarter turn clockwise to close the water supply.

• You might need pliers to turn the valve, as it can be a bit stiff.

Remove the old fill valve from the tank. Once the water supply is shut off, you can remove the old fill valve from the tank. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the locking nut counterclockwise. After the nut is loosened, you can pull the old fill valve out of the toilet.

• Take it to a specialized store and purchase a replacement fill valve. This way, you can ensure that the replacement valve matches the size and design of the old, broken one.
• You can also opt to replace the old round float ball with a more modern cone-shaped float.

Install the new inlet valve and connect it to the water source. Place the new inlet valve in its designated position inside the water tank. The valve must fit snugly into the hole in the tank where the water will flow into. Tighten the nut clockwise to secure it in place.

• Once the nut is tightened by hand, use pliers to tighten it another quarter turn for extra security.

Attach the water supply pipe. Connect the water supply pipe to the nozzle of the inlet valve. Adjust the pipe’s position so that water flows into the overflow pipe. If there is a clamp on the overflow pipe, use it to secure the water supply pipe in place.

Adjust the float. Refer to the system’s manual to properly set the height of the float to match the new inlet valve. Use a tape measure to check the height from the bottom of the tank, and adjust the valve’s height by tightening the screw at the valve’s top.

Test the inlet valve. Turn on the water to fill the tank. Observe the water level, ensuring that the supply pipe is not submerged, and listen for the water flow to ensure everything is functioning correctly. Adjust the float height if necessary. Flush the toilet a few times and wait for the tank to fill completely to check everything again.

• Once the toilet is repaired successfully and no leaks remain, carefully replace the lid of the water tank as it was before.