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    wun_bun's Avatar
    wun_bun Posts: 47, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #1

    Dec 25, 2008, 06:06 PM
    Toilet tank keeps refilling
    Hi,

    Attached is the set up of my toilet tank that I've borrowed from one of the postings on this site. The only difference is that my Refill Tube goes all the way into the Overflow Pipe.

    After I flush my toilet, and the water has refilled to the appropriate level, a few drops of water would drip from the Refill Tube into the Overflow Pipe, then the refill would restart again to fill back those little bit of water, and then a few drops of water would drip from the Refill Tube into the Overflow Pipe again, and then the refill would restart again.

    The cycle doesn't stop until I flush it again. Sometimes I have to flush twice to get it to stop.

    I just had all the components in the tank, as well as the angle valve (Water Shut off valve) replaced by a plumber last Saturday. I called him and he told me to play with the Refill tube and that should solve the problem, but it didn't.

    I don't want to spend another $140 on this :( Could anyone help me please? Really appreciate your help!
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    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    Dec 25, 2008, 06:36 PM

    Are you sure ALL internal parts were replaced. Sounds like a defective flapper, or flapper seat, or fill valve. A couple drops of water from the refill tube should not cause the fill valve float to drop enough to let more water into tank. If the refill tube is positioned to far down into overflow pipe(below water level) then you may expeince on off problems. I hate to say it, but you just spent more money on the toilet repair than it would have cost you to just replace the toilet(depending on what style toilet you have). Please let us know exactly what was replaced. Hope we can get you fixed up for free, or at least just for the cost of parts.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Dec 25, 2008, 06:46 PM

    The overflow tube is a direct path to the bowl. It's just like adding water to the bowl. It's not going to cause the tank to refill.

    BADLY adjusted water level. Should be below overflow tube and at the fill line.

    The flapper not seating properly, a badly worn flapper seat or a misadjusted chain are the likely causes.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
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    #4

    Dec 25, 2008, 06:54 PM

    Mygirldad nailed down good, little drops from the fill tube would not cause the problem.

    FYI I just put some info inside your picture.
    1. Cut the fill tube that it just go inside the tube about 1/8' to 1/4".
    2. Check your water level to be 1" below the top of the fill tube, if it low or high hold the clip and move the float up or down accordingly.
    If all the above is OK, you can check your flapper for leak.
    There two ways to check the flapper if it is leaking, first after the tank is full remove the tank lid mark your water level check it after one hour if the water level is below your mark then your flapper valve is leaking, or pus some food color inside the water tank and check it after one hour and check the bowl if the color shows it means that flapper is leaking, you need to clean it or replace it, if the problem is still there then you may need to replace the flush valve, Good Luck.

    John
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    wun_bun's Avatar
    wun_bun Posts: 47, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Dec 25, 2008, 07:37 PM

    Thanks a lot everyone. Really appreciate your taking the time to help me on Christmas day.

    Yes the flapper was replaced too. The only thing inside the tank that wasn't replaced is the Refill Pipe (and the flush handle, which is outside of the tank). I took a very intense observation again, and I do see the water going down about 0.5 cm below the refill line on the Refill tube, before the refill starts again, so I guess it's more than a few drops of water.

    If the flapper leaks, would I see water going into the toilet? I looked very closely, and actually put my hand in the bowl and could not feel any water coming down.

    One thing I didn't mention is that the problem only happens once every 4-5 times after I flush, and it only started happening 5 days after the plumber's visit.

    John, I pulled the refill tube up so that it's just above the Overflow Pipe, and tried to adjust the water level (actually I have a screw like rod in the place of the clip in the above picture, but it wouldn't turn, so I lift the Float with my hand to manually adjust the level). The water level is right on the refill line on the overflow pipe, which is about an inch below the top of the tube. Still see the same behavior. I will get some food colour when the stores open tomorrow to do further testing. Thanks.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
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    #6

    Dec 25, 2008, 07:58 PM

    Hi wun-bun,

    I searched all your previous posts and found previous problem open the link below, is this the same toilet and fixed by the plumber, the plumber replaced the ballcock with the Fluidmaster fill valve if so call the plumber to come and fix your problem.
    For the time being do as I said flush the toilet when the tank is full put a mark on the side the tank close the angle valve and check in couple hours if the water level is blow your mark then your flapper valve or the flush valve is leaking, or you can put some food color would tell you the same, but I will call the plumber to come back to fix your problem that he charged you $140,good luck.

    John

    https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbi...-292847-2.html
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #7

    Dec 25, 2008, 08:08 PM

    If the flapper leaks, would I see water going into the toilet? I looked very closely, and actually put my hand in the bowl and could not feel any water coming down.
    It actually starts the siphoning action and provides the water along the rim.

    The flapper attachement is usually friction fit around the tube. It needs to be centered and sit flat.

    The next problem is the chain adjustment. The flapper should not shut right away. It should stay up a little bit until the water level drops. To tight and you don't get a good flush. To loose and it hangs up.

    Food coloring in the tank is a good way to assess the seal.

    Bet the chain is not adjusted right.
    wun_bun's Avatar
    wun_bun Posts: 47, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #8

    Dec 25, 2008, 09:52 PM

    Thanks again! Actually I just noticed something very strange. When the problem occurs, I apply some pressure to the flush handle (outside of the tank), without actually pressing it down, and it solved the problem! The dripping stops, and it doesn't keep refilling anymore! I've tried it 4 times so far. I hope this indeed solves my problem, although I don't understand why, as pressing the handle that gently doesn't really pull the chain on the flapper. Anyone has a clue?

    Yes John it's the same toilet. I've waited for about 2 hours now, and don't see the water going below the mark.

    Thanks for the explanation KeepItSimple. I see the flapper doesn't shut right away, it shuts when the water level has gone down, and sometimes when the flush has fully completed.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #9

    Dec 25, 2008, 10:44 PM

    Push the flapper attachment down a bit on the overflow tube. It will take a bit of force. It's probably up a little too high.
    andrewc24301's Avatar
    andrewc24301 Posts: 374, Reputation: 29
    Full Member
     
    #10

    Dec 25, 2008, 11:00 PM

    Although I'm all for DIY fixes, I live for them, in your case, I would demand that the plumber come back and make it right. This is why people hire professionals, so they don't have to deal with this, if you paid him, then he should make it right. And the thing is, if he is a true pro, he can probably just come by and make a quick 15 second adjustment and be on his way.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
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    #11

    Dec 26, 2008, 01:19 AM

    wun_bun

    I agree with andrew, you should call the plumber to come back and fix this for you, also open the link below it will show hot to adjust the chain and will show how to check the flapper, and some other things, good luck.

    John

    http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/content/17646/
    wun_bun's Avatar
    wun_bun Posts: 47, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
     
    #12

    Dec 26, 2008, 05:36 PM

    Thanks everyone. I did ask the plumber to come back to fix it for free but didn't succeed. He says he will have to charge me (although he will give me a discount) because everything was fine when he left.

    Anyway. I will do it myself, and will get another plumber if I need to. Thanks John for the link, it's very informative and easy to follow!
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
     
    #13

    Dec 26, 2008, 06:07 PM

    Let us know if you need any help, Thank.

    John

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