In this guide we will be talking about How to Fix Toilet Flush Problems. Inside the toilet tank is the ballcock, or fill valve, which refills the tank after each flush. Another valve, called the flush valve, sits inside the tank as well. When open, the flush valve releases water from the tank into the bowl.
The handle that you push down to flush the toilet is attached to a tank lever, which is itself attached to the flush valve by a chain. When you flush the toilet:
1. The handle tugs on the chain, which opens the flush valve. Water rushes from the tank into the toilet bowl.
2. As the water level in the tank falls, so does a device called a float cup, which floats on the tank water.
3. The float cup is connected by a metal rod to the arm of the ballcock. When the float cup falls, it tugs down on the arm, which opens the valve and allows water into the tank. Water is also sent through the refill tube and down the overflow pipe to refill the bowl to its previous level.
4.As the water level in the tank rises, the float cup rises, lifting the arm and eventually shutting off the valve..
5.If the water level in the tank gets too high, water goes down the overflow pipe into the bowl.
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Float Cup vs. Float Arm
Instead of a float cup, some toilets have a float arm, an arm that extends from the ballcock and has a hollow rubber ball at the end. The ball floats on the water, just like the float cup. When the ball falls, it opens the refill valve; when the ball rises, it closes the refill valve.
How to Fix a Toilet That Runs Constantly
To fix a constantly running toilet, check the:
- Overflow pipe
- Flush valve cap
- Flush valve chain
Check the Overflow Pipe
When properly set, the water should be 1/2–1″ below the top of the overfill pipe. If the water rises higher than the overfill pipe, it will drain over and down. If the water level in your tank is too high, you’ll have to adjust the float cup or float arm so that it shuts off the refill valve when the water is at a lower level:
- To adjust a float cup: Pinch the metal water level adjustment clip so that it can slide easily on the link rod. Slide the clip (and cup) down, then let go.
- To adjust a float arm: Bend the metal float arm down.
Check the Flush Valve Cap
If the chain connected to the cap over the flush valve is too long or too short, it can cause your toilet to run constantly:
- If the chain is too short: The flush valve cap won’t close entirely, allowing water to escape.
- If the chain is too long: The chain may occasionally get caught beneath the flush valve cap, wedging the cap open and allowing water to escape.
To lengthen or shorten the chain:
- Move the chain: The tank lever has more than one hole to which the chain can attach. Move the chain to a hole further up the lever to shorten it or move it down a hole to lengthen it.
- Add or remove links: Lengthen the chain by adding links, or shorten the chain by removing links.
Check the Flush Valve Cap
If everything seems to be in working order but your toilet still runs constantly, you may have a faulty flush valve cap, also called a flapper.
The flapper covers the flush valve. If it’s faulty, it won’t form a seal over the valve. As a result, water escapes into the bowl, causing the refill valve to engage in order to keep the tank full. If you have a faulty flush valve cap, you need a new one. To replace it:
1. Remove the chain from the lift arm.
2. Slip the flapper from its two “ears,” which fit over the lugs on the overfill pipe and connect the flapper to the pipe.
3. Replace the flapper with a new flapper that you are sure fits your make and model of toilet. Slip the new flapper back onto the lugs, then reconnect the chain.