Anybody know anything about running toilets?

[raz]

Ours has started running a lot.

The chain to the flapper/ball thing (I can do technical much better with computers) is long enough when the handle is released, but it isn't seating in the hole unless you jiggle the handle.

This can't be terribly complicated to fix. Do I just put in a new flapper/ball?

The toilet is 10 years old, and is no longer covered by ToiletCare :-)

[deckeda]

Any hardware or home improvement store will have the parts. You can get just the flapper or the whole kit. Take note of what brand you have before going in; it may matter.

[Chupa Chupa]

The flappers get distorted after a few years and have to replace. Its a two minute job. Very easy. The hardest part is making sure you buy the right flapper. Best thing is to shut off the water from one toilet, remove the flapper and take w/ you to Home Depot, Lowes, etx.

[MacMagus]

If there is a float above the flapper, remove it.

If there's no float, adjust the chain so there's less than 1/2-inch of play on it and no more.

If none of that helps... (aw heck, even if it does...)

Change the flapper.

10 years is about 5 years longer than many flappers last. If it's red, it's natural rubber and those things usually last like 2-4 years at the outside. You've gotten your value from it. (I'm sure that someone has a story about a stopper that lasted two decades, but that's not typical.)

Probably the biggest cause for a running toilet is a bad flapper seal. Jiggling the handle and playing with the chain might help it seat, but just postpones the inevitable. Change it.

A replacement flapper typically costs like $3-6 dollars and takes less than 5 minutes to install. For best results, clean the valve seal (the open hole that the flapper drops onto) while you're changing it.

[Janit]

The rubber on the flapper/ball thing often deteriorates with time, causing it to reseat improperly after flushing. You can buy replacementsat at hardware/home improvement type stores.

Get one that looks like the one you are replacing and remember to turn off the water to the toilet before taking anything apart. It might be wise to start the project in the morning in case you find you need to call a plumber after all

[iaJim]

If it's black, it will make a mess on your hands when you remove it. Have a plastic bag handy to put it in so it won't make a mess on other things. I don't think you need to take it with you to the store. There's one that fits just about any modern toilet. The only thing you might want to look at is whether it hooks on over two little knobs or whether it attaches over the overflow tube.

[OWC Jamie]

My toilet is bolted to the floor.
Atrophied long time.




I have high iron content water, so the flapper valve has to have a layer of scum cleaned off every now and then. Bowl too.

[ho'ard]

In order to run a toilet properly, it's important to put together a board of directors which bring a diverse set of skills to the table. Next, you need a sound business plan.

Seriously, chupa nailed it. Unless it's a fancy schmancy toilet with its own proprietary system, a "standard" replacement will do. 100% DIY job, almost no tools required, and something you should learn.

[Gutenberg]

I changed the flapper in my tank myself and I am not talented at this sort of thing by any means.

Changing out the whole mechanism is complicated. For that, if you are all thumbs like me, you might want to call the handyman. But the flapper is easy.

[AAA]

don't put those cleaner/chlorine discs in the tank.