I flush the toilet and it keeps running and does not stop. I take off the toilet top and plunge myhand into the water. The running water stops. What is the cause of this? Please help and thanks.

Mark

Hi Mark,

"Running" can mean several things. (1) the ballcock keeps filling long after it should **or** (2) The flapper doesn't seat letting the water run out of the tank. One a supply problem and the other a flush problem. Which one do you have? Tom

Hey Mark,

"When my toilet runs, it keep filling up from the top. I think the flapper is
sealed at the bottom so it must be something on the top correct??"

This comes under door #1. Wrong toilet tank water level.
The water level should be 1/2" under the top of the white overflow tube when the tank's filled.
Take one hand and hold the float ball rod just ahead of the float ball,( do not hold on to the float ball). The other hand holding the rod next to the ballcock. Now bend the rod down to lower the tank level. Let the tank fill to test and bend down farther if it still overfills. Good luck, Tom

I am a single mom - if I can fix this, so can you. Toilet repairs are easy. It sounds like your overflow valve is worn out. Go to a hardware store, describe the problem and they will give you a replacement valve. They are pretty universal so it won't be difficult to just grab a new one off the shelf for under $10.

The directions are easy to follow. You just empty the tank of water (there is a water shut off at the base of the toilet. Shut it off (it may pull out or turn like a knob) and flush the toilet. The tank and toilet will empty and not refill. Stuff some towels in the bottom of the tank to soak up the remaining water. Underneath the tank there is a hose that is screwed into the tank. Unscrew it to remove the valve from the inside.

Install the new valve following the instructions in the box.

Couldn't be easier.