This article was written by James Schuelke and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 77,833 times.
Does your toilet keep running and you’re not sure why? When you flush, the fill valve inside the tank refills the water, but it could also cause leaks if there’s an issue. Even though a new fill valve sounds like a lot, they’re pretty inexpensive and it only takes a few minutes to install. In no time, you’ll have a working, leak-free toilet!
This article is based on an interview with our professional plumber, James Schuelke, co-owner of the Twin Home Experts. Check out the full interview here.
Steps
Expert Q&A
-
QuestionWhy is my toilet fill valve leaking?Dave JonesDave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupUsually, this occurs when water seeps past the flush valve assembly causing the fill valve assembly to turn on and add water to the toilet tank. -
QuestionHow can you stop a toilet from running if it has a flapper-style flush valve assembly?Dave JonesDave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupCheck that the chain connecting the flapper valve to the toilet handle is not too tight or loose. Then check if there is any obstruction around the flapper that is not allowing it to move freely and create a tight seal.
Video
Tips
-
If you notice water leaking from the bottom of the tank onto the floor, try tightening the plastic nut on the bottom of the fill valve to ensure it’s tight. If it still leaks, you may need to replace the fill valve.Thanks
-
If you tried all these fixes and your toilet still runs, then you could have a leaky flapper seal.Thanks
Warnings
- Try to stop leaks as soon as possible so you don’t run up your water bill.[15]Thanks
References
- ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H5G4OeIDXMk?t=17
- ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/z5324QzZB38?t=89
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dAp-xr-QH7E?t=54
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dAp-xr-QH7E?t=79
- ↑ https://www.friscotexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24442/FIX-A-Leak-Manual-2021?bidId=
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dAp-xr-QH7E?t=160
- ↑ https://youtu.be/UV-peiKW9gM?t=353
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H5G4OeIDXMk?t=61
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H5G4OeIDXMk?t=64
- ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
- ↑ https://youtu.be/H5G4OeIDXMk?t=64
- ↑ https://www.friscotexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/24442/FIX-A-Leak-Manual-2021?bidId=
- ↑ https://www.stpaul.gov/DocumentCenter/View4/1501.pdf