{"id":2466,"date":"2020-12-11T11:26:14","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T18:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/handymannetwork.net\/?p=2466"},"modified":"2020-12-11T11:26:14","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T18:26:14","slug":"repair-your-toilet-like-a-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/handymannetwork.net\/repair-your-toilet-like-a-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"Broken Toilets Stink. Learn To Repair Your Toilet Like a Pro."},"content":{"rendered":"

Toilet problems stink. Toilet repair doesn’t have to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And you want to know an inside secret? Repairing your toilet is easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Diagram of Key Toilet Parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Repair Your Toilet Like a Pro<\/h2>\n

The guide below covers common toilet repair issues, how to identify your problem, and repair it like a professional plumber. No more expensive plumber visits for a quick fix – this guide has for your covered.<\/p>\n

Toilet Won\u2019t Stop Running<\/span><\/h2>\n

When a toilet won\u2019t stop running, it’s (almost always) caused by one of three problems:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bad flapper<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. The water level is set too high<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. fill valve is broken<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Good news. You can fix all of these problems yourself. No plumber – or experience – needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    At most you\u2019ll spend an hour or two of your time, and a few dollars for parts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bad Toilet Flapper<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The flapper is the rubber circle cover in your toilet tank – often red or black- that lifts when you flush the toilet handle. The flapper in the up position will let the water leave the toilet tank, and as the flapper closes again, the tank will refill and <\/span>should<\/span><\/i> stop once filled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If the water in your tank keeps running, it could be because the flapper is not shutting properly, so the tank always thinks that more water is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Reach inside the tank. Don\u2019t worry – the water inside the tank is clean, regular tap water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Hold the flapper down, and keep holding for a few seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Did the water stop running? If yes – the flapper is the problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The Flapper and the Chain<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Before replacing the flapper – check the chain that is connected to the flapper.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The chain on the flapper should have a bit of slack so that the flapper can easily fall back into the closed position. If the chain is tight, it may be keeping the flapper from fully closing – allowing water to run from the tank into the bowl.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    If the chain is tight, you can unhook the chain and move the hook on the chain to allow for more slack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Once you know the chain is set properly – and pressing down on the flapper does stop the water from running – then the flapper needs to be replaced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Slip off or unsnap the flapper from the tank, and take it with you to your local hardware store to buy the replacement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Reinstall the same way you took the flapper off, making sure the chain has a bit of slack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    All set!<\/span><\/p>\n

    Toilet Tank Water Level is Too Set Too High<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Adjusting the water level is common when installing a new toilet, or if you\u2019ve recently done other repairs to the toilet, the level can sometimes need an adjustment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Take a look inside the tank. Every toilet tank has a tube or cylinder coming up from the center. This is called the overflow tube.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If the overflow tube is underwater, or if it\u2019s at water level and water is flowing into the tube – then the water level is too high.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Adjusting the water level is easy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Two adjust the water level, identify the type of fill valve you have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Types of Fill Valves:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Float Ball and a float arm (older model toilets)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      This style looks like a balloon on the end of a metal rod<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Modern Fill Valve\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        This style looks like a small (about 2 inch) box float with a piece of pipe going through the middle.<\/span><\/p>\n

        For either style, the ball or the box float is too high. Think of the box float and ball as the water monitor. The water will fill the tank until it touches either the bottom of the box float or the ball. For less water in the tank – you need to lower the fill valves.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Ball Float<\/span><\/h4>\n

        Lower the ball float one of two ways<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Bend the float arm<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Placing a small bend in the middle of the float arm to lower the ball in the tank. Just a small bend will work, the float usually only needs to be a smidge lower<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          1. Adjust the screw that attached the float arm to the flushing mechanism.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Loosening the screw will lower the arm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            Both methods take a bit of trial and error. A little patience and a few flushes and you\u2019ll be good to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Modern Fill Valve<\/span><\/h4>\n

            On all fill valves, there\u2019s a screw <\/span>somewhere<\/span><\/i> on the top.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            Adjust the screw to lower the fill valve box float.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            The box float should be just lower than the overflow tube, allowing enough water to fill the tank, but not enough to go into the tube – which signals the fill valve that more water is needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            \"toilet\"<\/a><\/p>\n

            Toilet Fill Valve is Broken – Easy Steps for a Quick Repair<\/span><\/h3>\n

            You know the Fill Valve is broken if – you\u2019ve checked the water level and the flapper, and both are fine. If the toilet is still running – the fill valve is the problem.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            If the Fill Valve is broken – you need to replace it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            Repairing a toilet fill valve is possible but can be a pain. A new one from your local hardware store will cost less than $20.<\/span><\/p>\n

            On most toilets – the fill valve is interchangeable. So there\u2019s no need to worry about getting a specific brand or style. Specialty toilet models like TOTO brand is an exception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

            To replace the fill valve, follow these steps<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. Turn off the water to the toilet. The water shut off valve is located just behind the toilet.<\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Once the water is off, flush the toilet to drain most of the water from the tank. A tiny bit will remain.<\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Place a small bucket on the floor, under the water supply line that is hooked up from the wall to the bottom of the toilet. This will catch the remaining water when you unscrew the waterline.<\/span><\/li>\n
            4. Unscrew the water line from the toilet.<\/span><\/li>\n
            5. Once the water line is out, unscrew the nut on the bottom of the tank that is securing the fill valve. Once loose, the broken fill valve can be removed.<\/span><\/li>\n
            6. Install the new valve. Your new valve will come with instructions, but generally, it\u2019s these same steps – in reverse.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
            7. Once the new fill valve is installed, reconnect the water supply line, then adjust the water level on the fill valve. All set!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Toilet Not Flushing<\/span><\/h2>\n

              Weak flush, or no flush at all? Little water in your toilet bowl? These are common toilet issues with simple repairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

              If your toilet won\u2019t flush, there are a few main causes.<\/span><\/p>\n