I have a toilet that drips, drips, drips. It doesn't RUN, it DRIPS. I've had the stopper replaced (not sure if that's what you call it) but it still drips. There's no water coming out and really no signs of a water overflow anywhere but the dripping still continues. It's very annoying to the point where I just close the bathroom door at night so I can sleep. The plumber I had out was totally puzzled. He said I might have to replace the toilet. Is that the only fix?

Does the water in the bowl disappear?
Does the water in the tank disappear?
Does the toilet flush by itself?
Tonight, remove the tank top, hold the float down until water runs out the overflow tube. Turn the water off at the stop valve underneath the toilet.
Tomorrow morning check the water level in the tank. It should still be at the top of the overflow pipe. Look to see if the water in the bowl is at the same level.

Let us know what you find.

Harold and I posted on top of each other. Answer him and then answer me.

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He said I might have to replace the toilet. Is that the only fix?

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NO! Your plumber was lost and just threw that in. The first thin to check is the water level in the tank after it's filled. It should be 1/2" under the top of the white overflow tube. Also check the little tube that connects to the overflow tube from the ballcock. It wants to be connected but not shoved down beneath the tank water line. Are they OK? Now let's look at the two most likely places that will produce a drip. 1) the water coming out of the ballcock and 2) the flapper and flush valve seat. Your problem will be solved by the process of elimination. Let's began with #1. Tonight before bed time shut the water off to the tank and flush the toilet holding the lever down until all the water's out of the tank. Lift the lid and sponge out the remaining water. Do you still hear a drip in the middle of the night? If not we will proceed to step two. Let me know, tom

I'm pretty dumb when it comes to these things. This is a very old toilet, probably put in when the house was built 40 years ago. I don't see a white tube but I do see a little tube going into what looks like a brownish colored tube coming from the bottom of the tank. The water level is over the top of this tube so if this is what you mean, it isn't 1/2" below the tube. How do you decrease the level of the water in the tank?

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The water level is over the top of this tube so if this is what you mean,

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That's it!

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How do you decrease the level of the water in the tank?

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You tell me what ballcock you have,(see images) and I'll tell you how to lower the tank level. Which, by the way, is the cause of your drip. Regards, Tom

You must have a very big water bill. Assuming you have what is picture below, grasp the float ball rod (3) with both hands and bend the rod down so that the water turns off sooner. I think you just found your problem.

I DO have a very high water bill, which is another reason, besides the annoyance, that I'm trying to fix this. I called the utility company and they say I'm using 8 whatever it's measured at when I should only be having 2 or 3!!

I have the ball type so I did try to bend the rod but it doesn't bend very easily. Will it break if I force it?

Is the thing that shown as number eleven (11) a screw, if so screw in to make shorter.

There are several screws there. They're covered in gunk (remember, it's an old toilet). I'm wondering if I just need a new ball thing.

That would be the smart thing to do. I prefer the fill valve. Some plumbers like the ball cock. Fill valves easy to repair or replace. Cheap too.

Suggest you turn off water at stop valve between uses. It's costing you momey to let it run 24-7. Hope you didn't pay that "plumber". Where do these guys come from?

Good morning Bev,
I set the tank level by adjusting the height of the float ball.
There are two ways to do this, 1) by adjusting the screw on top of the ballcock, **or** 2) (My personal favorite) Grasp the rod just ahead of the float ball, (do not grab the ball itself) with one hand and next to the ballcock with the other.
Bend the rod up to increase the tank level and down to decrease the level. The tank level should be set at 1/2 inch under the top of the brown overflow tube. Good luck, Tom

Hi, Tom. I tried to bend the arm with the ball on it down but can't seem to get it low enough. I can see that if I can get it down far enough it will make the water go down but for the life of me I can't get it to move enough.

Then call in a neighbor or friend to help. Even if you replaced the ball cock you would still have to adjust the tank level. Have him grasp the rod just ahead of the float ball, (do not grab the ball itself) with one hand and next to the ballcock with the other and bend it down umtil the tank level's 1/2" under the overflow tube. Good luck, Tom

OK. My son is coming home this weekend so I'll have him do it. Thanks very much, Tom, for all of your help.

Bev

Well, it's me again with the dripping toilet. My son tried to bend the arm down as far as it would go and it still overflows into the overflow tube. I even came up with the idea to scoop the water out of the tank and just not use the toilet until I could get it fixed but the water comes right back into the tank. Does this mean that a seal in the tank is leaking? Should I just get a whole new unit for inside the tank? Would that fix it even though the water keeps seeping back in?

Bev,
Turn the water off at the stop located under the tank an go down and purchase a new ball cock. When you get home with it give me a shout and I'll walk you through the installation and adjustments. Later! Tom

OK, will do. Thanks much, Tom.

Bev