At a glance
- Topic
- Lift the lid and look
- Reading time
- About 2 min
- Phone
- (365) 363-2754
- Matching repair
- Toilet Repair in Ajax
Why it matters
Durham Region bills water by the meter. A constant trickle into the bowl can add up to a surprising amount over a billing period, without anyone noticing.
The routine, in order
- Look at the water level. Water lapping over the top of the tall centre pipe means the refill never stops. Drop the float a centimetre with its screw or clip.
- Count the chain links. A taut chain holds the rubber lid ajar; a long one gets pinched underneath. Aim for about two links of droop.
- Test the flapper. Drop food colouring into the tank and wait twenty minutes. Tinted bowl water condemns the flapper. Turn off the supply, flush, and swap it for one that matches your flush valve size.
- Clean the seat. Wipe the rim the flapper rests on. Mineral grit there stops a good seal.
- Replace the fill valve if it still hisses or will not shut off after adjustment. Universal kits fit most toilets.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying a flapper without checking two-inch or three-inch size.
- Cranking plastic coupling nuts with pliers; hand-tight plus a quarter turn is plenty.
- Using bleach tablets in the tank; they can wear rubber parts quickly.
Local tip Take the old part to the store with you. Toilet parts look alike until you try to fit one.
Where a plumber takes over
When the flush valve itself is cracked, the tank leaks at the bolts, or nothing above stops the running. See toilet repair.
Questions we hear on the phone
Why does my toilet run for a second every few minutes?
That is a slow flapper leak. The fill valve tops up the tank each time the level drops.