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Toilets
How To Adjust a Toilet Float
Knowing how to adjust a toilet float will help to prevent toilet tank issues. It only takes a few minutes to adjust the float and the only tool you will likely need is a screwdriver.
For other toilet repair topics see 'How To Fix a Toilet' and 'Plumbing Repair' for all of the plumbing articles.
Too much water in your tank will cause it to run and waste water. Too little water will cause flushing issues and possibly clogs.
Troubleshooting Toilet Floats
When you hear water running in your tank, the first guess might be to adjust the float. If the water runs constantly, even slowly, this is probably the correct assumption.
However is the toilet is making a trickling sound and the toilet refills periodically, even when it is not being used, you could have another problem. It could be the toilet flapper. See the article 'Toilet Flapper Repair' for more information on this problem.
The first step to adjusting a toilet float is to determine what type of float device you have. The older toilets may still have a Ball cock type float device. This type usually has a screw nea
r the valve that is used to adjust the fill level.
If the water is running constantly it indicates the water level is too high and the excess water is running over the top of the tube for the flush valve. Lowering the water level to just below the top of the flush valve tube will solve the problem.
Another reason you would want to make adjustments to the float is when the water level is too low. When a tank had too little water, it will not flush properly. This will result in blocked and clogged toilets. To determine the proper water level for you tank, see the article 'Setting the Toilet Tank Water Level'.
Adjusting a Toilet Float
There are two common types of floats for conventional toilets. Older toilets will have a large plastic or brass ball that is connected to a horizontal rod. The rod is connected to the toilet fill valve.
The other style is a float that moves up and down along the vertical pipe of the toilet fill valve. A common brand name for this type of float is Fluidmaster.
Adjusting Ball Cock Type Floats
Turn the screw (likely counterclockwise) to lower the float. Continue to turn the screw until the water stops running and then go a half of a turn past. If the screw is stuck or you are afraid you'll break it, you can use two hands to bend the rod for the ball cock (the manufacturer probably won't recommend this, but it works).
Flush the toilet and see where the water stops when it refills. It should be just below the top of the fill tube for the flush valve.
Water is no longer running and the toilet flushes, problem solved. Congratulations!
Adjusting Fluidmaster Type Floats
A fluid master type fill valve has an integral float that has an adjustment rod on the side of the assembly. You should be able to pinch the spring clip and adjust the float up or down. Move it down a half of an inch for a toilet that is running constantly. Let it go and see if the water stops running.
Still running, adjust it down again. When the water stops running, flush the toilet and see if the tank refills to the proper level. Refilled OK and the water stopped running? Yes, Congratulations, problem solved.
Some of these type of fill valves have a rod with a head on top that can be adjusted with a screwdriver. Follow the procedure above in a similar fashion for this type of float adjustment. That is all there is to fix a running toilet by adjusting the float.
What To Do When Adjusting the Toilet Float Doesn't Work
Toilet fill valves can go bad and no amount of adjustment will fix the problem. After adjusting the float you still cannot get the water level correct, the only recourse is to replace the toilet fill valve. See the article 'Toilet Fill Valve Repair' for instructions on how to solve this problem.
How To Stop a Running Toilet
Can you fix a running toilet? There is nothing more irritating than trying to get to sleep at night and you can hear the toilet running. Not to mention the cost that is being added to your water bill.
Not sure if this is your problem? See the articles 'Troubleshooting Toilet Problems' and 'Fixing a Leaking Toilet' for a complete list of toilet repair topics.
We are glad to report that this is a solvable problem. In fact it may not require parts or any expense at all. Learn the tricks and techniques. You can definitely fix a running toilet yourself.
Most of the time repairs on your that involve water running in your toilet will be simple. Less often you will have to replace a part. This in not the end of the world, just a bit more work. Take a breath a see what you need to do, it won't be that hard.
It could be as simple as adjusting the float. Yes, really, a five minute adjustment could do it. Is it worth five minutes to maybe save a hundred bucks? Where I come from that is a pretty good wage.?
Fix a Running Toilet - Information
What Can You Save?
Having a repairman fix a running toilet will cost you $50 to $100 for a service call, plus parts, if required. It is unlikely that you need a new toilet if it is running constantly. Savings = $50 to $100. Repair a running toilet, it could be five minutes work, fifty dollars for five minutes. I'll work for that any day.
How Hard Could It Be?
In most cases it is easy to fix a running toilet.
Check the Simple Things!
Adjusting the float is simple, check the steps below. Check the chain on the flapper, it may be hanging up. Adjust if necessary.
What Can Go Wrong?
You may have heard horror stories about toilets and dirty water. The water that is running in your toilet is still clean water, thankfully. The toilet tank stores that water until it is needed. Anything that can be damaged by water should be removed from the area before the repair is attempted. Failing to drain the tank down can generate a lot of water on the floor and surrounding area. Getting the toilet partially repaired before it gets too late or the parts store closes can leave the toilet not operating. One trick is that a toilet can be flushed by dumping a couple of gallons of water quickly into it from a pail. This emulates the normal function of the tank.
How To Fix a Running Toilet
Proper Water Levels
The water level of a tank influences both the flushing and whether or not the tank runs constantly. The article 'Checking a Toilets Water Level' discusses the issues with this problem. Improper water levels can also cause the toilet not to flush correctly.
Adjusting the Toilet Float
To change the water level in a toilet tank, you will need to adjust the float. There are some different types and the methods for adjusting them vary. See the article 'Adjusting a Toilet Float' for the easiest fix for this type of problem. A constantly running tank is likely in need of adjustment.
Fill Valve Problems
You may have tried to adjust the float and the toilet is still running. 'Checking the Toilet Fill Valve' covered what to do when the fill valve has gone bad.
Checking the Toilet Flapper
The toilet flapper is another item that causes a toilet to run. The article 'Checking a Toilet Flapper' covered this issues with this part of your toilet.
Summary
Listening to water run in your bathroom is an irritating thing to put up with. Hopefully the information on this subject has helped you to fix a running toilet. The instructions above and the related articles should have helped you to solve your problem.
Admit it, it was not that hard. Actually most toilet repairs are straightforward. If you followed the steps and were successful, you are another homeowner that has been able to make their own home repair.