[strone88]

I am having a reocurring problem with on of our 3 toilets constantly running inside the tank just enough to where I can hear it at night. The problem doesn't always seem to be happening. After you flush it seems to be fine for some time where all is quiet. But then at some point it begins to fill? Again so the water I believe must be leaking out somewhere? I drained the water this weekend, cleaned everything up, the flapper, checked the seal there, adjusted the floater? Which turns the water off as it fills but still seem to have a problem, any suggestions as to what else to check or do I just replace the 99-646 valve and be done with it.

THANKS

[massplumber2008]

Hi Strone...

Be sure that the water is set to about 1" below the overflow tube in the middle of the tank.

Then I want you to take some dark colored food coloring and drop say 10-15 drops into each toilet tank. Swirl the coloring around with a spoon in tank so color is throughout, but be sure no colored water goes down the overflow tube or drips into toilet bowl by mistake.

Now, wait 12 hours... or less. If color shows up in the toilet BOWl then the flappers need to be replaced. If after replacing the flappers the same thing occurs then you may need to replace the entire FLUSH VALVE assembly in each toilet that leaks.

Try this stuff... let us know what you discover.

MARK

[strone88]

Within a few hours I already had the food coloring in the toilet bowl water so I can assume I need to replace the flapper (93-523?) I also noticed that there was water coming out of the top of the valve kind of where the floater arm goes into the top of the valve. Also, based on the crud around the top there this must happen a bit. Anything to check there and how to I get that apart to look at it?

Thanks

[massplumber2008]

Strone... what kind of valve do you have in your tanks.. The numbers you keep posting do not mean anything to me.

Let me know if it is the pic. On top or the pic. On the bottom.

[strone88]

Pic on top

Sorry those were the gerber part numbers I believe for the flapper

[massplumber2008]

Hi Strone...

If the valve.. a fluidmaster 400... is leaking by then the water would fill to the overflow tube and overflow the tube and into the toilet bowl... is that happening here?

If it is then you can shut the water supply to the toilet off and then PUSH down on the cap while rotating the cap (and arm... it remains attached) to remove the cap. Under the cap you will see a black washer... remove it, clean it, put hand over valve and pulse the water on for a second to clear the line of any sediment that may be present and then re-install the washer to the fill valve. Install cap and arm by pushing down and rotating back into correct alignment with the tank.

Turn the water on and see if that resolved the issue. If not resolved then you can replace the washer/seal itself OR simply replace the whole fill valve. This would require you to shut the water off, flush the toilet until toilet tank is as empty as it will get and then use a sponge or a wet-vac to remove any remaining water. Then loosen toilet supply, and fill valve nut and install a new fluidmaster 400 fill valve (see instructions). This can be replaced in about 10 minutes once you get set up!

Then try replacing the flappers... then try the leak test with food coloring again. Hopefully that will confirm that flappers are sealing properly and you will be all set. IF NOT, then you may need to purchase a FLUSH VALVE assembly and relace the flush valve.

Fluidmaster sells a completer repair kit (see picture below)... about $20.00 for the fill valve, the flush valve, new flapper, and toilet tank bolts. You would also want to purchase an adjustable SPUD WRENCH to loosen the nut on the bottom of the toilet tank if you plan on replacing the flush valve (see pic.#2... about $20.00).

Start with the easiset (flappers) then check with dye test. Then if needed, take steps outlined for the repair of the fill valve. If that fails, then replace parts as needed. Let me know how you make out.

Good luck...

MARK

[strone88]

Thanks so much, that was a huge help!

[massplumber2008]

Anytime we can help Strone... ;)

MARK

[strone88]

It was the Flapper, thanks again for your assistance.