[HistorianChick]

All right, I've had enough.

My toilet runs for about 30 seconds every 10 or 15 minutes. I have NO idea why, but would really, really, really like to fix it.

Any ideas? I have to close my bathroom door at night because it wakes me up!

[jcchampion]

Most likely you have a very slow leak around your "flapper" in the tank of your toilet.

The flapper is what opens when you flush the commode, and then flaps back down as the toilet flushes and allows the tank to fill up again.

The flapper is probably not "seating" properly for some reason. It could be something as simple as some debris caught in the valve opening, or it could be just wear and tear on your flapper.

Don't know what kind of "guts" you have in your toilet tank, but you can buy a new flapper, or replace all of your tank innerds by picking up the parts at your local hardware store, Lowe's or Home Depot, or even Wal-Mart.

They are relatively simple to change out, the kits will come with instructions if you are the adventurous type, you my even feel like doing it yourself. If not, I'd ask a friend or two if they could help you out.

It would be silly to pay a plumber to do such an easy job when you could get it done for free by doing it yourself or by having a friend help you with it.

[HistorianChick]

"A friend or two..." LOL! Yes, "or two" may be a good idea with my friends!

Thank you SO much! Maybe I'll get some uninterrupted sleep now! :)

Wal-mart for a flapper. Check.

[jcchampion]

Here's a link for a short video that will show you exactly what you need to do...

YouTube - Toilet Repair: Fill Valve & Flapper : Toilet Repair: Flapper

Hope that helps!

JC

[afaroo]

Sounds like you have a problem with your flapper valve like jcchampion say.

Check the flapper and the seat for any distortion; does it have any waved edges? Do your hands get black? Replace it if it does. And last check the seat itself. Any nicks or rough spot?

Check if the flapper valve is leaking, place some food coloring in the toilet tank, after an hour or so check if dye showed up in the toilet BOWLS then you will know for sure that the flapper valve is defective and needs to be replaced.

See the image below will show you all the inside parts of your toilet, Good luck.

John

[HistorianChick]

Thanks, guys! I will let you know what happens!

... and how many guys I can get to fix my toilet! :D

Lol... kidding. I'll get it done. :)

[massplumber2008]

Hi All...

Historianchick...good to check out all the information above. Then if replacing the flapper plan on bringing the old flapper with you to the store so you can pick one out that best resembles the old one...

You may also need to purchase a universal fit type flapper. If this is the case, it only takes a minute to swap them out so give it a try. If the universal flapper fails (toilet runs every 30 seconds again) then you need to get the name on the toilet (kohler, american-standard, etc.) and see if a local PLUMBING SUPPLY company has the flapper you need in stock.

If not, then you may actually need to replace the entire FLUSH VALVE ASSEMBLY to put this all to rest (parts are readily available at home depot), but let's save that until absolutely necessary.

Keep us posted...

MARK

[mygirlsdad77]

I just got to ask,, are you jessica rabbit?

You have gotten great advice here, please let us know how it works out.

[massplumber2008]

My opinion... definitely Jessica rabbit... although I'm sure you would rather hear it from her then from this crusty plumber... ;)

[HistorianChick]

Ha ha! Well... I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way! ;)

Thanks guys, I will keep you posted.

I lifted the flapper and cleaned it up a bit... nothing was inhibiting the seal or anything, but the flapper itself seemed a bit "slimy" (yuck... but that's the only word to describe it)... After rubbing off the "slimy feel," I let it fall back onto it's "holder" (I'm such a girl - I don't know the terms)

That was about ten minutes ago and I haven't heard anything... maybe, just maybe I'll get a night of sleep??

If so...

Jessica Rabbit smooches all around!

[afaroo]

Ha ha! Well.... I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way! ;)

nothing was inhibiting the seal or anything, but the flapper itself seemed a bit "slimy" (yuck... but that's the only word to describe it)... After rubbing off the "slimy feel," I let it fall back onto it's "holder" (I'm such a girl - I don't know the terms)

That was about ten minutes ago and I haven't heard anything.... maybe, just maybe I'll get a night of sleep???

If so....

Jessica Rabbit smooches all around!

Hello Historianchick,
It looks like the flapper needs to be replaced, close the angle valve under the tank, flush the toilet remove the flapper as Mark says take it to the plumbing supply and get the same one or get a universal, clean the seat where the flapper set install the flapper and I am sure you will be Ok, Good Luck.

John

[Milo Dolezal]

Slimmy flopper will not seal properly. Buy new one. They're cheap. You can install it yourself.

[speedball1]

A flapper replacement is one the easiest repair jobs going. Let me show you how. Shut the water off at the angle stop located under the tank and flush the water out. If you have a newer toilet you will see where the old flapper hooks onto the base of the white overflow tube. On a older type with no hooks the flapper has a ring that slips down over the overflow tube to the seat. If your tank has hooks, take a sharp knife and cut the neoprene ring off on the marks provided and hook the flapper on the hooks. Now attach the linkage,(chain) to the flush lever. The chain should have 1/4" of play when the flapper's seated. Too much play and the flapper will close too soon. Too little and the will not be allowed to raise high enough. Set your water 1/2" below the white overflow tube and be sure the little tube that comes out of the top of the ballcock is connected to the white overflow tube.
Good luck and thank you for rating my reply. Tom

[HistorianChick]

All right, so, last night, after I cleaned off the flapper thing, it didn't run at all... I didn't wake up once!

I think I will replace the flapper this weekend though, just to be on the safe side.

I never knew how good it would make me feel to say, "I fixed my toilet!" (Weird... yeah... but I DID IT!)

Thank you, all!

[afaroo]

Very good, please don't forget to clean the seat on flush valve where the flapper sets other wise it will still be leaking,open the link below and watch demo,good luck.

John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mvV3pDxtE