Project of the Week #326

Project of the Week Archive

How to Repair a Running Toilet

The flapper/tankball is the most common part to cause problems in a toilet - it either wears out or doesn't seat properly. In either case the seal is not made properly, causing water to continuously run.

What you need:

• Food Coloring
• New flapper
• Scissors (if necessary)

Directions:

With the lid of the tank off - first check to see if water is flowing over the overflow tube, if not:

• Flush the toilet and let only a small amount of water fill the tank - hold up the float ball to stop water
• Pour several drops of food coloring into the tank.

TIP: You don't want too much water in the tank because it will dilute the food coloring so much it will be difficult to tell if it is leaking into the tank.

• Watch for the colored water to show up in the bowl - if it does, then you need to replace the flapper/tankball.

Replacing a flapper:

• Turn off water at the shut off valve under the toilet tank.
• Flush toilet to drain tank.
• Remove the flapper/tankball and disconnect the chain from the lift arm. The old flapper will either slip off over the over flow tube or it will easily come off the "ears" on the sides of the overflow tube to which the flapper is attached. OR, in the case of Angel's toilet - pull the flapper and its base from the tank drain. The base of this type of flapper is seated in a putty-type material that adheres it around the tank drain. Clean the residue of the putty material and dry the drain area.

Purchase a universal flapper if the old flapper either fit over the overflow tube OR attached to "ears" on the side of the tube. The universal flapper can also be used to replace the old-fashioned tankball. However, the universal style can not be used for the "freestanding" type - in that case, get the same style as the one removed.

Installing the new flapper:

• Slip the rubber circle on the flapper over the overflow tube if that's how the old one was attached. Do the same if you are replacing a tankball. If the old flapper was connected to "ears," cut out the rubber circle so the flapper can function properly once in position.
• For the flapper style we replaced on the show - remove the protective covering from one side of the "putty" material and press it under the base of the new flapper. Remove other covering and gently press in place around the clean, dry drain.
• Connect the chain to the lift arm allowing only a little slack.
• Turn on the water to the toilet.

Flush the toilet to see if the chain needs any adjustment.