A toilet that leaks water continuously or does not drain well is a big annoyance, regardless of the resulting waste of water. Most of the flush mechanisms found in toilet flushes, however, are fairly easy to repair. There are several types, but most use a valve controlled by a float. This article tells you how to find the source of the malfunction and fix the toilet.
Steps
Step 1. Remove the lid of the water tank and set it aside in a place where it cannot break
Step 2. Look inside the tank
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You should be able to see a plastic tube inside the tank, the so-called “overflow drain”.
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Next to the pipe are the valve guides, two arms connected to the sides of the drain valve which is located on the bottom near the overflow pipe. In the drawings accompanying this article, the drain valve has the shape of a rubber stopper with a tab; there are many other different forms, but the suggestions we give you apply a little to all types.
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Near the guide arms there is the valve, a rubber tab which has the purpose of plugging the drain hole on the bottom of the tank.
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Attached to the top of the valve is a metal chain or rod.
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The chain (or rod) is attached at the top to a horizontal arm, which is usually connected to a mechanism on the overflow tube.
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In the toilet there is also another arm, which opens and closes the flow of water entering the tank. The water level is controlled by means of a float placed on a rod or by a rotating disc mechanism.
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Step 3. Flush the toilet and see what happens inside
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When you press the drain button, the rod at the top rises, pulling the valve up and thus opening the hole for the water to exit.
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The valve stays open for a while, but the flow of water coming out of the drain pulls it along and the valve closes the hole again.
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After the valve has plugged the drain hole, the tank fills with water until it reaches the level of the overflow pipe, at which point the inlet water flow should stop.
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Step 4. Put the chain (or rod) that lifts the valve back into place if you see that it has released and the valve does not open
It usually hooks into a series of holes in the lever. Try the middle hole first. Then try to snap it into one of the other holes if the valve doesn't close properly.
Step 5. Free sections of chain that may have become tangled or otherwise blocked, thus preventing the valve from closing properly
Step 6. Adjust the length of the chain
If the chain is too long it can slip into the valve seat, preventing it from closing correctly.
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Move the hook of the chain to another hole on the lever.
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Move the hook forward to shorten it.
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With the valve closed properly, the chain should fall straight between the valve and the control lever.
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Step 7. If there is a wire instead of a chain, hook it to a different hole in the lever to try to fix the problem
Alternatively, you can straighten the wire and then fold it again so that it is a little shorter.
Step 8. Flush the toilet again to see if the problem is resolved
Step 9. Adjust the float adjustment screw, if you see that the valve closes the drain hole properly, but the water level rises past the overflow pipe and continues to flow out that way
Step 10. Close the shut-off valve upstream of the toilet if none of the above suggestions solve your problem
The shut-off valve is usually located near the toilet, directly on the water inlet pipe or at the bottom of the wall. In less fortunate cases you may find that the faucet in question is in the cellar.
Step 11. Flush the toilet to empty the tank after turning off the upstream water
Step 12. Lift the valve and clean the edge of the drain hole and the leading section of the outgoing pipe
First use a rag and then gently wipe with an abrasive sponge or steel wool.
Step 13. Turn the water back on and flush the toilet to see the result
You may have to turn off the water again and repeat the cleaning process.
Step 14. If the valve continues to leak despite the previous steps, it is probably damaged and needs to be replaced
It is not difficult, just follow the instructions on the leaflet attached to the new valve.
Advice
- The water in the tank may seem dirty, but it is actually clean water. Don't be afraid to put your hands in it.
- Toilet flush valve replacement kits can be found at home improvement stores, and usually come with comprehensive, easy-to-follow instructions.
