how to repair a phantom flushing toilet

1. Fix the Toilet Flapper. Since this is the main culprit, we will start with it. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. ...
2. Clip the Refill Tube on The Overflow Tube. The refill tube should be clipped on the overflow tube but not be inserted too dip inside. ...
3. Replace the Flush valve. If even after replacing the toilet flapper your toilet is still flushing on its own, or you have noticed the crack on the flush valve, ...
4. Fix a Leaking Tank. If you toilet tank is leaking, it will most likely be leaking at the tank bolts. ...
5. Replace the Water Supply Line. If it is the water supply line that is leaking, then that will be and easy and inexpensive repair for you.

Full Answer

What to do if your toilet is ghost Flushing?

• Attach the flapper to the ears of the overflow tube.
• Attach the chain to the flapper. Allow for just enough slack in the chain that the flapper can rest fully on the overflow tube, creating a water-tight seal. ...
• Turn on the water supply to the toilet and allow the tank to fill.
• Test your handy-work by flushing the toilet and watching the tank fill again.

How do I fix a toilet that flushes by itself?

What to Do When the Toilet Flushes by Itself

1. The Food Coloring Test. Nine times out of ten, a self-flushing toilet is caused by a flapper gone wrong, but just to make sure nothing else is ...
2. Get a New Flapper. Go to the hardware store to get a universal rubber flapper, which can be used in any model toilet. ...
3. Cut the Water. ...
4. Remove the Old Flapper. ...
5. Install the New Flapper. ...
6. Connect the Chain. ...

How to fix a toilet that leaks without flushing?

Use a Piece of Toilet Paper

• Cut about 10 sheets of toilet paper and fold them together into a roll.
• Use a dry piece of cloth (or just toilet paper) to wipe dry the inside of the bowl and especially around the rim of the bowl.
• Place and hold the toilet paper roll on the rim of the toilet bowl for about 10 minutes. ...

Why a toilet won't completely flush?

8 Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush (Tips to Fix)

1. Too much toilet paper
2. N
3. Throwing too much paper into the bowl, without regular flushing the toilet, is a common reason...
4. Mineral deposits
5. N
6. If you live in the region with hard water, you may have an issue with clogged inlet holes. Mineral...
7. Partial clogs in pipes
8. N
9. Sometimes paper and waste may form so-called...

How do you fix a toilet with a phantom flush?

0:261:45Fixing the Phantom Flush - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst check to make sure that the flapper and ball are seated properly. Next check the chain if it'sMoreFirst check to make sure that the flapper and ball are seated properly. Next check the chain if it's too tight loosen it a notch or two.

Why is my toilet phantom flushing?

The toilet is not actually flushing – it is just refilling. The most common culprit of ghost flushing is a flapper that has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer create a watertight seal. Typically, chemical cleaners (including pucks and discs) shorten the lifespan of the flapper.

Why does my toilet sound like its flushing but it's not?

The Phantom Flushing Toilet A toilet that seemingly flushes itself is a common problem that is usually caused by a slow leak from the tank to the bowl. Once the water level drops below a certain point, the float signals that the tank needs to be refilled, which then causes the "flushing" sound.

Can a phantom flush be fixed without calling a plumber?

While replacing a flapper can be done on your own through parts picked up at the hardware store, if you want to fix this issue quickly and correctly, you may just want to call a professional. If you have a spooky ghost flushing toilet or other plumbing problems, contact us today to see how The Plumber Guy can help.

Why does my toilet keep making a sound?

There are several things that could be causing your toilet to make either a gurgling noise or a loud noise, but the three most common reasons include calcium deposits that have accumulated over time on the inner portion of the pipes, faulty fill valves, or leaky toilet valves.

How do you get air out of toilet pipes?

Start with the faucet that's closest to the shutoff valve and work your way to the farthest faucet. Open each hot and cold faucet about halfway to let the air run out. Remember to flush all the water out of the toilets, too.

How do you fix a whistling toilet flush?

Fixing this whistling noise, then, comes down to either replacing the gasket inside the fill valve or simply replacing the entire valve itself. Either of these are affordable processes, as modern toilet valves are made from inexpensive plastic materials that are easy to find at any hardware store.

How do you stop a hissing toilet?

0:531:483. How To Fix Your Hissing Toilet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemove any visible debris. And sediment from the film Bob either with your finger a pin or byMoreRemove any visible debris. And sediment from the film Bob either with your finger a pin or by turning the water on slowly to flush the sediment.

Why does my toilet have ghost flushing?

It also happens when water audibly drains from the tank of your toilet without a flush. Ghost flushing indicates either that the toilet’s fill tube has been improperly installed, or that the flapper inside the toilet tank is leaky and should be replaced. Inspect the fill tube first, and fix it if necessary.

What to do if your toilet doesn't drain?

If the bottom of the toilet tank doesn’t drain completely, you may need to sop up remaining water with a couple of rags or old hand towels.

How big is a toilet flapper?

Most toilet flappers are 2 inches (5.1 cm) or 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter. The replacement toilet flapper can be purchased at any local hardware store for about $5.

How to check if toilet fill tube is inserted?

1. Inspect the position of the fill tube in the overflow tube. Lift the lid off the toilet tank and look inside. You’ll see a large, white tube: this is the overflow tube. Positioned directly over this should be a smaller, hose-like tube: the fill tube. The fill tube should not be inserted into the overflow tube.

Can you put a fill tube in an overflow tank?

The fill tube should not be inserted into the overflow tube. If the fill tube is inside of the overflow tube, it will siphon water back out of the overflow tube and out of the tank. This form of back-siphoning is a common cause of ghost flushing.

What does it mean when a toilet is ghost flushing?

It describes a condition where a toilet randomly flushes on its own. If your toilet is flushing all by itself, it means that water is slowly leaking out of your toilet tank. When the water drops below the critical level, ...

What to do if you have a ghost toilet?

Since a ghost/phantom flushing toilet is not something that is caused by one defective part, the first thing to do is to identify the source of the problem. Check on the bathroom floor to check if there is any water. If you indeed have water, it means you have a leaking toilet or water supply line.

What happens if you replace a toilet flapper?

If even after replacing the toilet flapper your toilet is still flushing on its own , or you have noticed the crack on the flush valve, you will need to replace the flush valve.

What causes a toilet tank to leak?

The toilet tank bolts uses rubber washer to make a water tight seal. Just like the flapper, the rubber washers become worn out with time resulting in a leaking toilet tank .

What is the opening through which water leaves the tank and enters the bowl?

The Flush Valve. The flush valve is the opening through which water leaves the tank and enters the bowl. Although not often, the flush valve could get cracked and slowly start leaking water into the bowl. After sometime the water level in the tank will get too low causing the toilet to flush on its own. 3.

What is a bad toilet flapper?

1. A bad toilet flapper. A toilet flapper is the rubber seal at the bottom of toilet tank. It sits on the flush valve opening to ensure water does not flow down to the bowl unless during flushing. It is connected to the toilet flush handle arm by a lift chain.

Why does my toilet tank leak water?

Most of the time it is caused by a warped/dirty toilet flapper but it can also be caused by other toilet leaks. If there is water on the floor then it is an external leak but if there is no any water then it is an internal leak. A toilet tank is designed to hold a constant amount of water.

Why does my toilet sound like it's flushing?

Most likely, it is because the toilet’s tank is leaking. If the leaking is excessive, the toilet will automatically refill the water in the bowl, thus making it sound like your toilet is just flushing by itself.

How to check if a flapper is leaking?

How to Test it: In order to check if it is indeed your flapper causing the issues, you’ll simply need some food dye. Drop the food dye into the tank; just a little bit will do. Leave it alone for about an hour or so — and if the coloring has leaked into the bowl, your flapper is most likely leaking.