Fixing a Leaky Toilet May Be Easier Than You Think

A leaking or running toilet is not only a constant source of annoyance but can result in a substantial increase in your monthly water bill.

Because the components that control the flow of water are subjected to wear and corrosion, most toilets will sooner or later need some repairs. Before you call the plumber, try these tips to help fix that leaking toilet.

Bend the rod.

If you can hear water running after the tank fills up, lift the tank lid and bend the float ball rod so the ball sits lower in the tank. This will cause the valve to shut the flow of water before the water begins to enter the “overflow tube” that rises in the middle of the tank. The proper water level is 1 inch below the top of the tube.

Replace the drain ball.

If you try bending the rod but still have a leak, the problem may be that the drain ball (or flapper) at the bottom of the tank is worn out. The drain ball is the part that lifts up to let the water out of the tank when you flush the toilet.

To determine if the drain ball is at fault, shut off the water to the toilet at the valve under the tank and mark the water level in the tank with a pencil. If after five minutes the water level has fallen, the drain ball is leaking.

To replace the drain ball, hold the brass rod it is attached to with a pair of pliers while unscrewing the ball with the other hand. Keep the water turned off while doing this.

To replace a drain flapper, just unhook it from the two hooks on either side of the overflow tube and pull it out. Also unhook the chain that goes to the flush handle lever. Any hardware store will have these replacement parts. When installing either the drain ball or flapper, lightly coat the bottom surface with Vaseline to create a better seal.

Check the float ball.

Sometimes the float ball itself will fill up with water so that it does not float high enough to fully shut the valve. Simply unscrew it from the brass rod and shake it to determine if any water has gotten inside. Replace it if you hear any water at all.

Check for obstructions in the tank.

Make sure that the drain ball or flapper can move up and down without hitting or hanging up on the float ball, the flapper chain, the float ball rod or any other object in the tank. Flush the toilet and observe the operation of the tank parts to see if there are any problems. The tank will not fill up if the drain ball or flapper does not sit squarely on the seat at the tank bottom.

Observe the action of the drain ball or flapper.

If your tank has a drain ball attached to a thin brass rod and you notice the ball doesn’t drop back down after flushing, try cleaning the rod with steel wool, then lubricating it with Vaseline. Sometimes corrosion on the brass rod will cause it to bind on its brackets, keeping the tank from refilling.