
To fix a randomly running toilet yourself, there are 7 steps you need to follow:
- Lift the lid of the toilet off and away from the tank.
- Lengthen or shorten the lift chain, if necessary. ...
- Replace a cracked float ball by turning it counter-clockwise with your hand until it releases from the threaded rod. ...
- Adjust the float height properly to ensure the water rises just high enough to shut the fill valve off after flushing. ...
What causes a toilet not to flush completely?
There could be several reasons behind it, but the followings are the most common reason:
- The Toilet Is Clogged.
- Low water level in the toilet tank.
- Problematic flapper of the toilet.
- Clogged Rim Holes.
- Problematic Lift Chain.
Why is my toilet not Flushing properly?
- Full sewer tanks thus creating a backup. ...
- The bowl might be clogged by materials such as toys, tampons, wet wipes, dead plants, and too much toilet paper.
- In some cases, the flapper is either bent or warped.
- There might be something stuck in the trap. ...
- Dirt or other objects in the tank. ...
- Old or worn-out Flapper and Fill Valve
- Insufficient water supply. ...
Why a toilet won't completely flush?
8 Reasons Why Your Toilet Won’t Flush (Tips to Fix)
- Too much toilet paper
- N
- Throwing too much paper into the bowl, without regular flushing the toilet, is a common reason...
- Mineral deposits
- N
- If you live in the region with hard water, you may have an issue with clogged inlet holes. Mineral...
- Partial clogs in pipes
- N
- Sometimes paper and waste may form so-called...
Why does my toilet keep running after flushing?
What Causes Toilet to Keep Running After Flushing
- The Fill Valve Might Be Faulty. One of the most common issues is a faulty fill valve. ...
- The Toilet Flapper Might Be Worn Out. Another potential issue might be that the toilet flapper has worn out. ...
- You Might Need to Replace the Toilet. In most cases, a running toilet will be caused by a part that needs to be replaced. ...
- Conclusion. ...

Why do you flush the toilet?
Flush the toilet to make sure that there are no leaks.
Why does my toilet make a phantom flush?
Phantom Flushing Toilet. A toilet that seemingly flushes itself is a common problem that is usually caused by a slow leak from the tank to the bowl. Once the water level drops below a certain point, the float signals that the tank needs to be refilled, causing the "flushing" sound. This problem is almost always caused by a bad flapper ...
What to use to lubricate flush valve?
Use lubricant or dishsoap on the flush valve to make it easy to apply the nut.
What is the culprit in a phantom flusher?
The toilet flapper is the most likely culprit in the case of a phantom flusher. The good news is that this is a quick fix that nearly anyone can do. If it was my toilet, it is what I would try first.
Where to put a bowl gasket on a Kohler toilet?
Place the tank to bowl gasket over the flush valve on the bottom of the tank. On Kohler models with the triangular gasket, the gasket is placed over the valve before the washer and nut are applied. When applying the screws, a rubber washer should be placed on both the inside and outside of the toilet.
What is the date on a Gerber toilet?
This is the inside tank of a Gerber toilet. The date (Aug 5, 1965) is stamped on the left side; the brand name is stamped on the right.
Where is the model number on a toilet?
Check the brand, model number and year of your toilet. This information is usually located on the back of the tank and on the inside of the tank's lid. Use penetrating oil on screws that are rusty or hard to remove.
Why does my toilet have a phantom flush?
Another one of the common causes of phantom flushing in your toilet is a faulty flush valve gasket. The flush valve gasket is a seal around the flush valve that provides a watertight seal that keeps the water in the tank from draining into the bowl.
How to check if toilet is leaking?
Let the water fill up the toilet tank then wait for an hour to check if there is any leak. If this method isn’t effective, add food color to the water in the water tank. If you return to find the food color in the bowl, it means that there’s a leak which needs fixing.
Why does my toilet make a ghost sound?
The result of that is that the toilet lets water flow from the tank to the bowl either consistently or at certain levels giving the flushing sound.
What is the refill tube on a toilet?
The refill tube of your toilet is a narrow and flexible tube in black or white that sits at the top of the toilet tank. It’s connected to the fill valve and has the role of providing water to refill the toilet bowl.
What is the role of the flapper in a toilet?
The flapper of your toilet plays the all-important role of opening and closing the hole between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl.
Where do you put the bowl gasket on a Kohler toilet?
You then place the tank to bowl gasket over the flush valve at the bottom of the tank. Some toilet tanks such as those from Kohler come with triangular gaskets with the gasket being placed over the valve before the washer and nut are added. As you apply the screws, always place washers on either side of the toilet and other fixtures. This prevents damage to the fixtures by the nuts.
Where is the water cutoff valve on a toilet?
First, turn off the water at the cutoff valve located below the toilet seat on the wall.

Step 1 – The Food Coloring Test
Step 2 – Get A New Flapper
- Go to the hardware store to get a universal rubber flapper, which can be used in any model toilet. This part is very cheap and very easy to obtain. However, you will probably need to trim off some extra material to perfectly match your particular tank. Use a sharp knife to carefully trim away any excess rubber.
Step 3 – Cut The Water
- Turn the water valve to your toilet off and let the tank drain before you get started. Trying to undertake this operation under water is even trickier than it sounds.
Step 4 - Remove The Old Flapper
- The old flapper will be connected to the flush chain. Untie or cut the chain to remove it, and take note of this flapper’s condition. If the rubber is rippled or warped, it was probably damaged by bleach or blue water tablets. Professionals strongly advise against using those products in your toilet tank because they will damage any rubber parts in a short amount of time.
Step 5 – Install The New Flapper
- Hook the sides of the new flapper to the two pegs that are located on the sides of the overflow tube at the bottom of the tank. Make sure that the flapper can go up and down freely, and that when it is in the down position, it fits completely into place and there are no gaps between the rubber flapper and the tube. You can use the food coloring test again to be certain.
Step 6 – Connect The Chain
- Connect the chain that is attached to the flush handle to the top of the flapper. Make sure that the chain isn’t too long or too short so the flapper operates properly.