Repairing Guides

how to repair toilet

by Prof. Danny Schmitt Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Drain the Toilet Turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shutoff valve below the toilet tank. Turn the valve clockwise until it stops. ...
  • Clean and Sand the Repair Area Clean the area around the crack thoroughly to ensure there is nothing on the porcelain surface. ...
  • Mix and Apply the Epoxy Mix the two parts of the epoxy (catalyst and resin) as directed by the manufacturer. ...
  • Refill the Toilet and Test Open the shutoff valve to the toilet by turning its handle all the way counterclockwise. ...

Full Answer

How do you troubleshoot a toilet?

  • The two main parts to focus on are the fill valve and the flapper.
  • Remove the lid of the toilet tank and set it to the side, out of the way.
  • If water is constantly running into the tank and to the overflow tube, the toilet valve is likely the issue.

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How do you repair an American standard toilet?

How to Fix a Running American Standard Toilet

  • Tighten the Top Screws. If you are experiencing running water problems, check the top screw as it may have not be tightened properly.
  • Replace the Blue Ring. It may seem that your toilet tank may keep on leaking onto the bowl. ...
  • Check the O-Ring. ...
  • Check the Flappers for Any Issues. ...

What causes a toilet not to flush completely?

There could be several reasons behind it, but the followings are the most common reason:

  • The Toilet Is Clogged.
  • Low water level in the toilet tank.
  • Problematic flapper of the toilet.
  • Clogged Rim Holes.
  • Problematic Lift Chain.

How to repair a noisy toilet?

Replacing the Fill Valve

  1. Turn off the water at the shut-off valve under the toilet and then flush the toilet to release all the water from the tank.
  2. Unscrew the supply line from the bottom of the tank by turning it counterclockwise with a pair of pliers.
  3. Pull out the old fill valve from the top of the tank.

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How to fix a toilet that stops flushing?

How to clear a clogged toilet bowl?

Why does my toilet pool water?

How to get water out of a water tank after flushing?

How many pumps to clean a bathroom?

See more

About this website

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How do you fix a toilet that is leaking at the base?

Toilets that leak at the base are usually an easy fix with some DIY how-to steps....How to Stop Your Toilet From Leaking Around the BaseCheck For Condensation. ... Tighten the Tee Bolts. ... Disconnect and Remove the Toilet. ... Remove the Wax Ring, and Install a New One. ... Reinstall the Toilet. ... Connect the Water Line.

How do I fix the inside of my toilet?

0:4914:13How to Fix a Running Toilet & Replace All Internal Toilet Tank PartsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is after it filled up so this is what needs to happen is the insides need to be replaced at theMoreThis is after it filled up so this is what needs to happen is the insides need to be replaced at the underneath the flapper that whole gasket.

How do you fix a toilet valve?

0:553:51How to Fix a Toilet - Fill Valve Replacement - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipReach behind the fill valve and snap the lock ring down into place then attach the refill tube toMoreReach behind the fill valve and snap the lock ring down into place then attach the refill tube to the overflow tube and adjust the new fill valve for optimum water level.

How do you fix a toilet that keeps running and won't flush?

0:526:50Fix a Toilet That Keeps Running - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the fix is to trim your chain that connects your flapper to the toilet handle. And you only wantMoreSo the fix is to trim your chain that connects your flapper to the toilet handle. And you only want a little bit of slack in it you don't want a ton like. This.

How do I know if my toilet fill valve is bad?

You can spot a faulty fill valve by listening closely to strange sounds that might be coming from your toilet. The sound of water constantly running through the tank can indicate fill valve problems. Place a few drops of food coloring into the tank and watch to see if the colored water leaks out into the bowl.

What are the parts to a toilet?

Toilet Bowl PartsLid: It covers the toilet seat and can act as a safety barrier. ... Seat: The toilet seat is attached to the bowl. ... Rim: The uppermost part of the toilet bowl, the rim runs around the top of the bowl. ... Toilet flange: This fitting seals the toilet to the floor and connects to the drain pipe.More items...

Can you fix a toilet fill valve?

Fixing a toilet fill valve (once referred to as a ballcock) is relatively easy to repair if you happen to have a common Fluidmaster brand valve. Often, repairing a fill valve is done by simply replacing the entire fill valve, but Fluidmaster fill valves can be repaired by just replacing a seal inside the unit.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet fill valve?

Cost of Replacement PartsPartPriceDIY Project TimeFill Valve$8 - $301 - 2 hoursShut Off Valve$5 - $351 - 2 hoursBowl Flush Valve$20 - $30½ - 2 hoursFlapper$5 - $1020 - 30 minutes

How do you replace the flapper and fill valve on a toilet?

0:313:13Korky WaterWISE Toilet Fill Valve & Toilet Flapper Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemove the old flapper from your flush valve. For plastic flush valve take your new Korky flapperMoreRemove the old flapper from your flush valve. For plastic flush valve take your new Korky flapper and cut off the collar. Attach the flapper ears to the tabs of the flush. Valve.

Why is my toilet suddenly running?

If a toilet randomly runs for a few seconds and empties without flushing, it's likely the result of a cracked toilet flapper, the chain being caught, the float needing to be lowered, or the refilling tube needing to be repositioned.

Why is water trickling into the toilet bowl?

So, what's the cause? Leaky loos are usually caused by a faulty flush-valve or fill-valve inside your tank – predominantly on dual-flush WCs. It can happen with any WC brand and type, but most leaky loos are the result of a failure in valve seals. These failures can happen on old and new WCs.

Common Toilet Problems You Can Easily Fix - The Home Depot

If there’s no water in the toilet tank, make sure the water supply valve is fully turned to the open position and check the water supply line for leaks.. Make sure there’s no problem with the water supply to the bathroom or rest of the house. If the water level in the toilet tank is too low, the float arm may be working improperly and need adjustment as described in Step 4.

Toilet constantly running: the 2 possible causes & how to fix

Toilet constantly running? There are only two possible causes: a faulty ball valve or a faulty flush valve. A faulty ball valve may also result in the toilet overflowing. Either way, a fault with either of these parts will result in the toilet constantly filling.

The Basic Guide to Troubleshooting Common Toilet Problems

Sticky toilet handle. When your toilet’s handle sticks, you’ll want to start by adjusting the lift wires in addition to the handle itself. After adjusting these two parts, give the handle a nice clean.

How to fix a toilet that stops flushing?

BEST FIX: Adjust the Chain or Fill Valve. If the toilet starts to flush but then stops, the chain may be too loose (causing the flapper to close prematurely) or the fill valve may be allowing insufficient water into the tank. Here, toilet repairs can be as simple as adjustments made to these components.

How to clear a clogged toilet bowl?

Clearing the clog is super simple, and you probably have a toilet plunger already on hand. Simply insert the plunger into the bowl while it’s still full of water, pressing the mouth of the plunger firmly against the opening at the bottom of the bowl to form a seal.

Why does my toilet pool water?

Pooling water around the base of the toilet is always a cause for concern, and it’s often the result of a leaking wax ring seal. To test if the wax ring has gone bad, squirt some food coloring into the toilet bowl and then flush the toilet.

How to get water out of a water tank after flushing?

Some residual water will remain after flushing—be sure to bail it out with a cup or use a wet-type vacuum. Disconnect the water supply valve from the bottom of the tank by twisting the nut loose where the hose meets the tank. If unable to do this by hand, use a crescent wrench.

How many pumps to clean a bathroom?

Don’t be overly enthusiastic; forceful plunging is likely to splash dirty water all over the bathroom. After eight to 10 pumps, lift the plunger away from the bottom of the bowl. If you’ve freed the clog, the water will drain—it usually takes just one or two attempts to free a clog.

What is the bowl of a toilet?

Your home toilet consists of two major parts: the bowl unit that rests on the floor, and the upper tank that holds the water that is released each time you flush the toilet. The bowl is little more than a solid piece of porcelain drain fixture with no moving parts at all. With only a few exceptions, there aren't many repairs that involve the bowl.

Why is there a puddle of water in my toilet?

While a little condensation is normal in the summer months, an actual puddle of water at the base of your toilet indicates a real problem. There is a great chance this water is dirty, so to keep the problem from worsening, it's best to avoid using your toilet until it's fixed.

What is the function of a flapper in a toilet?

The flapper or float ball seats against the val ve opening and keeps water in the tank until the flush handle is operated. When the handle is depressed, a chain or lift wire connected to the handle rod lifts the flapper away from the valve seat and allows the water to flush down out of the tank and into the toilet bowl.

Why is my toilet running?

The problem occurs either because the flapper is not seating itself correctly in the opening of the flush valve, or because the water level in the tank is too high and allows water to flow over the top of the overflow tube and down into the tank.

How does a toilet tank work?

The toilet tank's function is to hold a quantity of water until you flush the toilet, at which time the water in the tank rushes down through an opening in the bottom of the tank and into the bowl, forcing waste out of the bowl and into the home's drain and sewer lines. There are two major components in the tank ...

How does a floatless fill valve work?

Floatless fill valves operate by sensing water pressure at the bottom of the tank.

Where is the fill valve on a tank?

The fill valve is usually located to the left side of the tank as you look down from above with the tank lid removed . Fill valves comes in four basic variations: Plunger-type ballcock: the oldest type, usually made of brass. Diaphragm-type ballcock: older styles may be brass, newer types are plastic.

Replacing float rod or float ball

Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty tank. Remove old float ball or rod by unscrewing counter-clockwise. Replace with new part and turn on the water supply. If the water level is too high, adjust by bending float rod down or, if too low, bend the float rod up.

Replacing lift chain and flapper

Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty tank. Remove chain from the flush lever.

Replacing overflow tube

Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty tank. Remove spring holding refill tube in place, unscrew lift wires, and remove. Unscrew overflow tube and remove guide arm by loosening the screw holding it to overflow tube.

Replacing flush valve

Turn off the water supply. Flush toilet to empty tank and sponge out excess water. Disconnect lift wire or chain from flush lever handle and refill tube and spring from flush valve. Unscrew ballcock coupling nut and disengage water supply tube. Unscrew nuts from tank-to-bowl connecting bolts and carefully lift the tank off the bowl.

Replacing wax ring

Turn off the water supply. Flush toilet to empty tank and sponge out excess water. Unscrew ballcock coupling nut and disengage water supply tube. Carefully pry off bolt caps and unscrew nuts securing bowl to the floor. Carefully lift toilet straight up until bolts in the floor have cleared bowl and place toilet aside.

Replacing ballcock

Turn off the water supply. Flush toilet to empty tank and sponge out excess water. Remove the refill tube from ballcock. Unscrew coupling nut and ballcock locknut. Lift entire ballcock and float assembly from the tank. Clean tank bottom where ballcock shank washer seats to be sure of a good seal.

Replacing tank-to-bowl washer

Turn off the water supply. Flush toilet to empty tank and sponge out excess water. Unscrew ballcock coupling nut and disengage water supply tube. Unscrew nuts from bolts connecting the tank to bowl and carefully lift the tank off the bowl. Remove old washer and thoroughly clean area to ensure that new washer will seal properly.

Why is my toilet not working?

Blockages, corrosion, or damage can all lead to a malfunctioning refill tube, causing your toilet not to work as expected. 3. Misaligned or malfunctioning float ball. The float ball is connected to the flapper and raises and lowers it depending on how much water is in the tank.

What is the most common problem with a toilet?

One of the most common toilet problems is a pesky leak, where water is continuously draining from the tank into the bowl.

Why does my toilet run continuously?

The flapper is responsible for holding the water in the tank until flushed, so a misaligned or damaged flapper can cause a toilet to run continually. A common problem with dual flush toilets is buttons' sticking' or being held in the flush position.

What to do if flapper valve is leaking?

If your flapper shows no sign of damage, check if there is a leak on the fill valve. Sometimes, there can be a build-up of residue around your valve that will just need clearing. If you notice any damage to the valve, you'll need to replace it. Removing the fill valve is an easy process, as is replacing it.

Why does my toilet keep running?

Let's discuss some of the most common reasons your toilet may be continuously running: 1. Leaking flapper. Most of the time, a leaking flapper is a culprit for a running toilet. To work correctly, the flapper should cover the hole that connects the tank to the bowl.

How does a toilet work?

Understanding How a Toilet Works. A toilet has two essential parts – the tank and the bowl. The bowl is responsible for holding the water while connected to the plumbing. On the other hand, the tank contains water which is needed for flushing and draining the bowl.

Do you need to shut off the water supply in a toilet?

Gloves. Before we begin, we must first diagnose the problem before moving on to fixing it. First, and most importantly, you need to shut the water supply off. Modern toilets usually have a tap that will allow you to shut off the water easily, but older models may require a bit more work.

What to do if you spot a crack in your toilet tank?

If you spot a toilet crack in the tank, mark it and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It can be useful to take a picture of the crack for later comparison. A crack that is below the water level will have to be fixed. Unfortunately, a toilet tank crack can be hard to spot.

How to tell if toilet tank is cracked?

Finding Cracks in a Toilet Tank 1 A crack above the water level is usually not a problem unless the crack grows slowly. If you spot a toilet crack in the tank, mark it and keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It can be useful to take a picture of the crack for later comparison. 2 A crack that is below the water level will have to be fixed. Unfortunately, a toilet tank crack can be hard to spot. If you suspect a leak from the toilet tank, start by checking the seals between the tank and the bowl. Next, check the tank carefully for a crack in the porcelain. You may have to look both on the outside and the inside of the tank to see it.

How to stop a hairline leak in a toilet?

If you have a hairline crack in the tank or the bowl, experts say you may be able to stop the leak by sealing the crack with waterproof epoxy. Epoxy can also be effective for cracks at the base of the toilet, such as cracks or breakage around the bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. Cracks under the water line in a toilet bowl are more ...

How do you know if a toilet is cracked?

When the toilet crack is visible in the part of the bowl that retains water, you'll probably need to replace the toilet. An invisible crack is also a possibility, and it can be indicated by two different symptoms: standing water on the floor outside of the toilet, or missing water. Experts note that a small invisible leak can cause water ...

Why is my toilet cracking?

A cracked toilet can be a perplexing plumbing problem because the cracks are not always easy to spot. In some cases, the crack may have occurred when the toilet was first manufactured but does not surface for many years. Other times, a toilet can mysteriously develop a crack at any time and start leaking. More obvious cracking can occur due ...

What causes water to settle on the floor?

Experts note that a small invisible leak can cause water to settle on the floor at the base of the toilet. In a less common scenario, the water from the toilet bowl will slowly leak out into the drain instead of onto the floor.

How to fix cracks in epoxy?

Mix and Apply the Epoxy. Mix the two parts of the epoxy (catalyst and resin) as directed by the manufacturer. Immediately apply the mixed epoxy to the crack with a putty knife or spreader. Smooth and flatten the epoxy as much as possible for the best appearance.

How to fix a toilet that stops flushing?

BEST FIX: Adjust the Chain or Fill Valve. If the toilet starts to flush but then stops, the chain may be too loose (causing the flapper to close prematurely) or the fill valve may be allowing insufficient water into the tank. Here, toilet repairs can be as simple as adjustments made to these components.

How to clear a clogged toilet bowl?

Clearing the clog is super simple, and you probably have a toilet plunger already on hand. Simply insert the plunger into the bowl while it’s still full of water, pressing the mouth of the plunger firmly against the opening at the bottom of the bowl to form a seal.

Why does my toilet pool water?

Pooling water around the base of the toilet is always a cause for concern, and it’s often the result of a leaking wax ring seal. To test if the wax ring has gone bad, squirt some food coloring into the toilet bowl and then flush the toilet.

How to get water out of a water tank after flushing?

Some residual water will remain after flushing—be sure to bail it out with a cup or use a wet-type vacuum. Disconnect the water supply valve from the bottom of the tank by twisting the nut loose where the hose meets the tank. If unable to do this by hand, use a crescent wrench.

How many pumps to clean a bathroom?

Don’t be overly enthusiastic; forceful plunging is likely to splash dirty water all over the bathroom. After eight to 10 pumps, lift the plunger away from the bottom of the bowl. If you’ve freed the clog, the water will drain—it usually takes just one or two attempts to free a clog.

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