Toilet keeps "running"...

[brigden]

Our seldom-used main floor toilet keeps running. The upper tank fills after flushing, but also slowly leaks so that it only remains full (and stops running) for a few seconds. The tank then refills, and empties just a bit, refills, empties, and so on.

Normally, we would just turn off the water and get the landlord in to fix it, but he's in Europe for several more weeks, and, more importantly, we're having a party this weekend. The toilet must be operational.

Before I call a plumper at my expense, is there anything I can do, even temporarily, that will remedy the problem? I am a plumbing n00b.

 

[dighn]

oops n/m

 

[MikeMike]

you need a new valve in it. inside the tank is a valve that has a rubber gasket that seals it off from leaking.

if i rememberd the name of the valve i would tell you.

MIKE

 

[etalns]

If you're having the same problem as one of my toilets does, you push the flush knob up. That usually does the trick for me. Mine sits there making that noise after you flush it until I do that sometimes.

 

[MaxDSP]

plumping experts?

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Burn the house down, get the insurance money.

 

[Fritzo]

You need a new flapper (the rubber plug that goes over the drain hole in the tank). They're like $3. Installs in under 5 minutes. Get to it. You can replace the entire assembly for like $10. Sometimes that's easier to do. Seriously though, there's not much to toilets. Be a man and fix it yourself

 

[brigden]

Is it possible that the bleach "2000 Flushes" tablet could have erroded the valve? We never had a problem until we put one of those bad boys in there.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You need a new flapper (the rubber plug that goes over the drain hole in the tank). They're like $3. Installs in under 5 minutes. Get to it. You can replace the entire assembly for like $10. Sometimes that's easier to do. Seriously though, there's not much to toilets. Be a man and fix it yourself

I'm off to Canadian Tire tonight, then.

 

[imported_Strang]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You need a new flapper (the rubber plug that goes over the drain hole in the tank). They're like $3. Installs in under 5 minutes. Get to it. You can replace the entire assembly for like $10. Sometimes that's easier to do. Seriously though, there's not much to toilets. Be a man and fix it yourself

Yup, I had the same problem a couple years ago.

 

[rh71]

learn ... it's gotta be the "flush valve".

 

[brigden]

Prepare for the thread where I ask, "How does this assemble thing go?"

 

[Mermaidman]

In my "plumPing" experience, those tablets could accidentally get sucked into the drain and prevent the flapper from closing. Another possibility is that the chain needs to be adjusted/shortened--If it's too long, it gets caught under the flapper, again preventing closure. Those are the easy answers. Hopefully nothing worse that requires replacing stuff.

 

[Ogg]

Originally posted by: brigden
Is it possible that the bleach "2000 Flushes" tablet could have erroded the valve? We never had a problem until we put one of those bad boys in there.

Fritzos right, you likely need a new flapper and yes bleach deteriorates the rubber quickly.........


theres no way around cleaning the toilet bowl

 

[Gurck]

Originally posted by: MaxDSP
plumping experts?

Is that like.. guys who read Plumpers magazine? (yes it's for real)

 

[Nocturnal]

Well ya better go and catch it, a huh a huh a huh - Steven King's IT.

 

[Balt]

Originally posted by: Strang

Originally posted by: Fritzo
You need a new flapper (the rubber plug that goes over the drain hole in the tank). They're like $3. Installs in under 5 minutes. Get to it. You can replace the entire assembly for like $10. Sometimes that's easier to do. Seriously though, there's not much to toilets. Be a man and fix it yourself

Yup, I had the same problem a couple years ago.

Only Strang's gf had to fix his. :x

Seriously, though, they are right. A bad seal is the problem.

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: brigden
Is it possible that the bleach "2000 Flushes" tablet could have erroded the valve? We never had a problem until we put one of those bad boys in there.

yes. I would reccomend against putting any type of cleaner that goes into the toilet tank. The bleach and chlorine will eat away at teh rubber parts evetually and cause corrosion on the metal parts.


what you need (or should do) is get a new tank fill valve, and it doesnt' hurt to get a new flapper.

$7.97 from home depot, Fluidmaster Toilet Tank Fill Valve & Flapper Kit, sku# 50158, internet/catalog#163372. this is a pretty good kit, comes with instructions for easy do it yourself.

 

[Ausm]

You need a new rubber "flapper" sounds like your old one is shot.

Ausm

 

[GasX]

You really ARE gay if your flapper valve has developed a slow leak...

did I just say that? :Q