How to fix various toilet problems

Problems with the Flush Handle

Things You'll Need

• Stiff brush
• Vinegar
• Pliers (needlenose)

Step One

See if there's water in the tank. You may have lost water service to your home or someone may have turned the water off. Restore the water, allow the tank to refill and try again.

Step Two

Clean the mounting nut to free a handle that's sticking. The nut is inside the tank. You may find lime buildup on the nut; if so, clean it with a stiff brush dipped in vinegar.

Step Three

Check the chain that connects to the flush valve. It should have a little slack; you can adjust it by hooking it onto the lift arm in a different place or by removing links with a set of pliers. If the chain isn't connected to both the flush valve and the lift arm, reattach it or buy a new one.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't place anything in the tank to color or clean the water. They can cause a number of problems from corrosion of parts inside the tank to flushing problems.

Clogged Toilets

Things You'll Need

• Plunger
• Toilet auger

Step One

Remove the tank cover and pull up on the ballcock to keep the toilet from overflowing.

Step Two

Plunge the toilet. Place the plunger over the drain and pump it several times. If it seems you've pulled the clog loose, try flushing.

Step Three

Snake the toilet. Use an auger to find the blockage, then turn it to push the end of the auger through it. Continue to turn the auger as you pull the blockage out.

Running Toilets

Step One

Jiggle the handle. If this solves the problem, adjust the chain attached to the handle.

Step Two

Check the ballcock. This is a plastic ball that's attached to a metal arm and floats on the water in the tank. If it's rubbing against the side of the tank or other parts inside in the tank, gently bend the metal arm to change the ballcock's position. (Some newer toilets don't have a ballcock.)

Step Three

Lift the ballcock out of the water. If this stops the water from running, bend the metal arm downward so the ballcock stops the water from rising sooner.

Step Four

Insure that the ballcock is floating. If water has gotten inside and made it sink, you need to buy and install a new one.

Step Five

Check the flush valve. If it's not seating properly, you can bend an arm or turn a nut to change its position. If it's worn out, you'll have to replace the entire mechanism. You can buy a kit to do this if you think you can handle the repair yourself; if not, call a plumber.

Tips & Warnings

• Some newer toilets don't have a ballcock, but don't worry. There's a handnut inside the tank that adjusts the water level.
• An easy way to check a flush valve is to add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. If the water in the bowl becomes colored, you need to replace the valve.

Water on the Floor

Things You'll Need

• Pipe wrench
• Adjustable wrench

Step One

Check the connections. Tighten the bolts that attached the tank to the toilet bowl and the tank to the water supply.

Step Two

Check the weather. If it's humid outside the water may be caused by condensation forming on the outside of the tank. Buy a tank liner, turn off the water to the toilet, drain the tank (flush) and fit the liner to the inside of the tank.

Step Three

Inspect the tank for cracks. If your toilet is fairly new, you can just buy a new tank and have a plumber install it. If your toilet is older, it's best to buy a new toilet.

Step Four

Determine when the water appears. If the toilet leaks constantly, you may need a new one. If it only appears after you flush, the problem is probably the wax ring between the bottom of the toilet and the floor. Either way, you need a plumber.

Noisy Toilets

Step One

Put air back in your pipes. Your household has pockets of air built in to keep them from knocking or banging when the water is turned on and off. It's possible you've lost these air pockets. Turn the water off to the entire house, open every faucet and let them run until dry, close them and turn the water back on.

Step Two

Replace the refill valve.

Step Three

Call a plumber. A toilet that makes splashing sounds has a problem with the inlet valve. A plumber can replace the washers if you don't want to tackle this job yourself.