provided by: HandyHouseholdHints.com
Many times when your toilet is having a problem it just needs a little adjustment instead of a major overhaul. Follow these steps to give your toilet an adjustment and see if it stops the problem before any major adjustments or calling a costly plumber.
Refill Valve
∗ If the toilet tank you have has a conventional ball-cock refill valve then the water level in the toilet is adjusted from the bending float arm. The water should be at a height that will give it enough water for complete flushes. However the water should not be to the very top of the overflow pipe. The tank that you have in your bathroom should have either a colored or molded mark for the water level. The water level should never be set too low so that the bowl doesn't refill with trap sealing water. The general rule is to set the water level around ? below the top of the overflow pipe.
∗ If it is the case where the float is rubbing on other parts all you have to do is adjust the float arm sideways. If the float is not buoyant then unscrew it and shake it to see if it is waterlogged. You should replace a float that is waterlogged. If you need to you can also replace the float arm as well.
∗ In toilet tanks that use more modern plastic refill valves the water level is adjusted in other ways. If the tank you have uses a hand nut you can turn the nut clockwise to raise the level and counterclockwise to lower it.
Flush Valve - You can get replacements for a flush ball and the flush valve's actuating mechanism. It may be the case to stop a leak with some minor adjustments. You should carefully check the following adjustments before going out and buying replacement parts.
∗ Check to see if the guide arm is centered directly over the seat. The guide arm should be dropping the flush ball directly into its seat. If it is the case that the guide arm is not properly seating that you need to make an adjustment. The guide arm should allow the flush ball to rise just enough in order to complete the flush. If it is not doing this than you should raise the guide arm. Make sure that the guide arm is not too high as it will keep the ball from completely closing.
∗ You should check to make sure that the upper lift wire will pull the flush ball high enough. In order to adjust it all you have to do is bend the wire to get either a higher or lower lift.
∗ The hardware for lifting on a flapper flush valve should raise the rubber flapper to begin a flush. However it should not hold the flapper up off its seating. If this is happening the hardware is adjusted too short. There are some flush valves that will let you slide the flapper up or down on there fill tube to make sure that the flapper meets squarely with the valve seat. The height adjustments flapper should be the first thing you should look at when problems with the flapper happen.
Refill tube
∗ If the bowl refill tube is not in place then water is directly routed into the tank and not replenishing the tank with water. If this is happening you will probably hear sounds of splashing when the tank is being refilled. The refill tube should directly aim into the overflow pipe, yet it should also not reach the level of the water. If it is the case that the tube is extending too low it will gradually siphon water away from the tank.
∗ Refill tubes that are defective can be replaced with new plastic tubes. All you have to do is place one end of the new plastic refill tube over the plastic lug, which is serrated, on the body of the valve. Next you should place the plastic holder in the top of the overflow pipe.
Author: Jason Green