Your toilet’s ball float is essential for managing the water supply. However, a toilet float is not installed into every toilet tank.
You must determine the cause of the running toilet if you require a do-it-yourself fix. Calling a plumber if you can’t figure it out will prevent you from incurring a large water bill.
Without a ball float, a running toilet can be fixed.
There are several factors that can cause a toilet to run continuously. The fill valve occasionally fails to close completely.
There may occasionally be an issue with the overflow tube or water level. Sometimes the toilet’s other parts need to be replaced because they are broken.
Any amount of extra water might have a disastrous impact on your utility costs. It’s critical to find a solution as soon as feasible.
Use the shutdown valve to stop more water from entering the toilet bowl if you are unable to identify the source.
: REPAIRING A RUNNING TOILET WITHOUT A BALL FLOAT
Actually, without a ball float, fixing a modern toilet is simpler. These models feature a new fill valve that performs the same job as the ball float.
Because it is more compact and smaller than a float, the fill valve assembly is preferred by manufacturers of contemporary toilets. As a result, a toilet fill valve enables the creation of smaller toilet tanks.
WHAT YOUR FILL VALVE DOES The fill valve is normally located on the left side of the toilet tank. To ensure that your tank fills to the proper height once the flush valve opens, this valve works with a refill tube.
They have a variety of floats attached to them, with float cups being the most common form.
Float cups aid in fill tube automation. When the toilet is flushed, they let water to enter the tank and produce ideal water pressure.
Additionally, they stop the water levels from rising to a point where an overflow pipe is required.
Additionally, flushing fill valves is quieter than using ball floats on toilets. In a small bathroom, a ball float may sound more like a waterfall than a faucet.
You might need to completely replace the assembly, depending on what is making the toilet run. Make sure to purchase replacement parts in this situation from your neighborhood hardware store or an internet merchant like Amazon.
INSTALLING A NEW VALVE
Every five to six years, you should change the fill valve in your toilet. A new flapper can also be required.
Even when the flapper chain is not knotted, the flapper occasionally won’t fully close. This will result in a toilet that runs continuously.
A good valve kit should have a lock nut, a refill tube, and at least one gasket. A screwdriver and other equipment are also required.
You could also require a wrench or pair of pliers, depending on the root of the issue. You might also want a bucket on hand to catch any extra water.
TAKE THE WATER OFF It’s crucial to turn off the water before performing any plumbing maintenance on your toilet. Where the toilet tank pipe joins the water supply line, there has to be a shutoff valve.
Close the valve by turning it with your fingers.
You might need to use your pliers to turn the valve if it has corroded. Avoid turning too forcefully to avoid damaging the valve.
To avoid the valve rusting, it’s a good idea to turn off your toilet’s water at least once a year.
After the water has been turned off, flush the toilet. By doing this, you can actually replace the water assembly because the tank will be empty.
Put your bucket down to capture any leaks that may occur outside the tank.
TAKING OUT THE OLD VALVE It will be easier to replace your current fill valve if the base has not experienced significant wear and tear.
A lock ring is located at the valve’s base. Reach down to the base of the valve.
The refill tube and any other components that are attached are removed by pulling the valve upward and out of the base.
You might need to soak the valve in vinegar before you can disassemble it if these parts have rusted together.
It is best to remove the base if it is rusty or damaged. If not, however, you are still able to install the new valve without changing the base.
SETUP OF THE NEW ONE Make sure the valve you purchase is suitable with the style of your toilet. If you’re unsure, see a specialist at your local hardware shop.
If the base doesn’t need to be changed, all that’s left to do is attach the new valve and refill tube to the base. To prevent it from moving, secure it in place with the locking ring.
Refill and overflow tubes should be connected.
Make sure your water levels aren’t set too high by checking the settings. Otherwise, you might have an overflow to cope with.
INSTALLING A NEW BASE Due to corrosion or other damage, you may occasionally also need to replace the foundation. But you may also easily solve this yourself.
You’ll want to flush your toilet and confirm that the tank is completely empty, just like with the prior step.
So that any extra water will flow down, place your bucket under your water supply line. The refill hose can then be unscrewed from the tank’s base.
To remove the lock nut on the valve, use your wrench.
You can remove it out of the tank and discard it after the base is no longer secured. The installation of a new valve assembly, this time including a new base, is thereafter straightforward.
LAST THOUGHTS Many contemporary toilets lack a ball float in their design. Although you might not be familiar with this style, it is actually rather simple to use.
A fill valve may be changed more easily than a ball float.
You should call a plumber if you can’t figure out what is causing your toilet to run. The problem can be identified and fixed by a plumber.
Even while this fix is more expensive than a DIY, it is still significantly less expensive than the water wasted by the toilet when it is running.